More pics from the auction....

Sorry for the mediocre quality. I had to take the pics with my phone. Was in a bit of a hurry and there was so much to see...

Marc

NETTE Auction

Just came from day 1 of the New England Toy Train Exchange Auction. Truly, the tinplate was spectacular. It's always funny, you can talk about Blue Comets all day but when you see an original in pristine condition with nearly like new boxes it really is like a work of art.

Ok, I'll get the pics rolling....

Workbench Days

I've been busy with a few repair jobs recently on some locos that I recently acquired. On this AF motor, the insulation on the original wiring is mostly missing. What's left is brittle. Luckily, the original drive wheels on this particular motor are still in good shape. Later on I'll post a picture to my solution to the wiring problem.

Z-Stuff for Trains

Just a quick note to recommend some cool train tech. These folks have some great automation for toy train layouts. They make some relays for American Flyer signals that are absolutely wonderful. Go check them out if you get a chance!

Marc

Nette Auction for March 2009

Some real diamonds in the rough in the upcoming NETTE Auction. I'd always recommend going to these, just to see the trains!

Re-Wheeled And Running

Compare the re-wheeled loco to the shot in the previous post. It's quite a difference! Here
s a photo of the entire beautiful 1927 AF President's Special set on the layout. This is one that is unlikely to ever be reproduced. The lithography is spectacular.

A Case Of Blown Wheels

Great to get the loco...just out of storage somewhere since 1927...but the wheels are blown...frozen stiff against the frame. Job No. 1 is to get it running again. Which loco is it? Here are some clues: made one year only...pulled cars that are second in a series of famous sets...and it's dark blue. Name that loco.

The New Lionel Catalog is Excellent

The new Lionel catalog is excellent. I am referring to the catalog at http://www.lionel.com/ (the new Signature catalog). Why is it so good?

It has probably one of the best interfaces for perusing or looking at the catalog on the web. Period. The Adobe Flash technology is not sophisticated from an interface perspective however it is extremely clean, easy to use and consistent. I have to say I loved it.

I also really liked the design of this catalog. It was by far the strongest design statement Lionel has made in decades. It gave me a feeling that the catalog or the items in the catalog were really "larger than life". Items that are steeped in legend and that haven't seen the light of day until Lionel reproduces them in their factories. I know, I sound a little gaudy. But the catalog works very well. It is simple yet makes a bold statement. I really liked looking at every page.

Product choice: I know, it is O gauge. It looks like Lionel is parceling up their customers quite a bit like MTH has. K-Line, Signature Series, Ready to Run, Vision Line, Classics Line, etc.. I have to say, the Vision Line products are really cutting edge. The LCD Billboard and Grand Central are devastating. I'd like to have a little better idea of what the finished Grand Central product looks like; it appeals to me greatly however a $1400 investment is sort of daunting in this financial environment.

The motive power is definitely impressive although the prices and curves may appeal to a smaller audience, I'm actually not sure. The Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 loco is just jaw dropping. I'm actually incredibly anxious to see one in action.

Since there isn't any tinplate in this catalog I don't want to wax on too long about how great this catalog is. I really like the fact that Lionel seems to have captured the spirit of their past and created a very unique O gauge vision for the future. I like the fact they aren't reproducing everything under the sun; they focused on a couple of O gauge post war classics and will do those well. Coupling this catalog with the Lionel/MTH announcements I have to say I think Lionel is really turning a corner. I wish the economy was better; unfortunately right now trains are a luxury item many, many, many folks can't afford. I think now is an ideal time for Lionel and MTH to examine the lower cost market segments and continue their spirit of cooperation. I also am really glad to see the whole Lionel team and Jerry Calabrese lining up this wonderful catalog. Welcome back!

Marc

DAP Tinplate

This is kind of an interesting wrinkle in the new Lionel/MTH partnership. A Dealer Appreciation Standard Gauge Tinplate Car. Just when you think you've seen it all....

By the way, in looking at the new Lionel catalog I do like the Lionel Tinplate Club car. I know this is going to come as shock but I never liked the MTH Purple Club cars. Something not right about purple metal trains. It's like watching grapes on a layout...

Marc

Benchwork Fin! (for now)

This is some seriously nice benchwork. I could see why the SGMA wasn't keen on it though, this doesn't look like it would be very friendly to get built up and broken down again and again. The modularity of it is wonderful but it isn't very friendly on the breakdown. It IS very friendly on the build up and adding additions though. It's one of the reasons I said "for now" in my completion of benchwork. I think I can fit a whole additional section on for another 4 to 6 feet of space. My friend Ron and I were completely blown away by the engineering and design of this stuff. If you get a chance I highly recommend seeing Mianne at one of the train shows here in the Northeast. Really, you all know I like motive power, color graphics and the like. I have a very soft spot in my heart for metal trains and the like. This benchwork really exposed me to something new.

With some guidance from my friend Ron (he is really smart and generally brilliant with putting things together) we put this together most of the day yesterday. Why am I so impressed? Well, we only needed two Philips Head screw drivers to put this entire thing together. It is absolutely rock solid and it took about 5 hours to assemble correctly. When I mean solid, I mean very stable and steady. The benchwork comes with casters on the bottom; if you have an attic floor like mine that is 115 years old (no exaggeration), the floor isn't exactly what you'd call "level". This benchwork makes that problem (of being level) almost irrelevant. It's also all made out of a wonderful wood (kiln dried poplar). It's super hard wood yet really light to lift. My friend Ron and I could lift the whole set of works together with ease.

Next week (if I can get to Lowes or Home Depot), I'll tell you and show you how I mounted the Luan Plywood. I've had some guidance from other friends on paints to use on the plywood to simulate prewar landscape colors. Don't hesitate to call or write with any ideas!

Marc

PS Yet again, the best part of trains - hanging out with your friends and building stuff.

Benchwork is finished!

Well, the Mianne benchwork for phase 1 of the layout is done. I put this together with my friend Ron in about 4 hours. This benchwork is really amazing stuff. The engineering that went into it is really cool. Check out the pics.

I'll post more pics tomorrow. Now I need to get over to Lowes and get some Luan Plywood. I've been told that 1/2 inch is preferable but I'm thinking 3/4 inch plywood. Any thoughts?

Marc

Thar She Blows!!!

It's up and it is impressive. The Brute is my one "must have" from the catalog. There is a substantial amount to choose from. Wow. The hobby is alive and well. I hope MTH gets orders to back up this great catalog.

marc

Is it just me?

My blog seems to be getting hacked quite often. Just email me if you think something isn't right. Since I don't speak Hindu or Banladeshi, I'd say the last post (that I just deleted) was a hack. Go figure.

Marc

Lionel is Brilliant

The above is the kind of thing that says good things about a company. Why? Because it is a concise, consistent communication to customers. Keep up the good work Lionel, between this kind of web messaging and the new TMCC Legacy product, I think you are on a roll. I almost wish they'd commuicate every announcement with some kind of countdown timer. It's just brilliant.

Marc

Some Very Nice Youtube

And now a break from our regularly scheduled programming (because I am working on benchwork this weekend with my buddy Randall and I should have the beginnings of a layout by next week). Some cool Youtubes:



and here:



And some MTH gear making noise:


Kudos to Bluecomet 390 for some great vids!

Marc

Lionel/MTH Catalog Still MIA

Well, the clock is still ticking. Here is the advantage of the Internet vs. old time paper communication. In the old days, Lionel or toy train companies could wait until the Quarterly, a Bulletin or a new catalog to come out to trumpet new achievements. Albeit with 4 to 6 months inbetween Yorks, catalogs, whatever. The old days are gone and when announcements are made, the clock is ticking.

So where is the new catalog? Yes, I know it is a Herculean effort to bring out a great quality catalog with the finest trains available to man in a period under 2 years. Yes, it is difficult to choose products that will sell and weed out others that won't. Yes, I know MTH needs Lionel's approval to move forward. My guess is that there are more chefs in the Lionel/MTH kitchen than at a Golden Corral Buffet in Florida on a senior citizen's half off night.

I would still like to see a little more cohesive communication from both companies. Perhaps a teaser of a few of the items in the catalog in one of MTH's newsletters? Perhaps an actual update to the rapidly aging/mediocre website that was hastily set up to highlite the new found venture? How about something a little less scripted than the Taylor "interview" by Bob Keller of CTT? By the way, I have always really liked Bob Keller's writing. I do hope he gets another shot at a real interview or review that isn't quite as scripted.

So how about it MTH and Lionel? Guys, here's the deal (and I've said it before): web marketing and sales is probably one of the best ways to reach massive numbers of customers in a very personal way. Really, it is great because it panders to the instant gratification monster in everyone, especially train people. But you can't throw a website out there and then ignore it for months or years. It just doesn't work like that. As a matter of fact, it actually works against you and quite heavily. Look at it this way, you're working with one of the worst economies in decades; you need to keep the attention of your consumer base beyond eBay. MTH Mega Stores are terrific but they are few and far between, even here on the East Coast. You need to keep people intersted. Please, get the catalog out and hire some people that can really keep your websites interesting.

Marc

The Appeal Of Older And Older Trains

Am I the only one who has found that, as one's years of collecting progress, what is of interest tends to be in earlier and earlier trains. I started out all enamoured of Classic Era trains, with their bright colors and shiny brass and nickel. But now, the prewar stuff...and I mean pre WW I, is what rings my bell.

I bought this little set last Fall up in Allentown. I needed to tumble the wheels and trucks and re-wire the loco, but to my eye this Lionel Manufacturing Era set is full 0f charm. The cars are illuminated with a reproduction lighting set made by Joe Mania.

This is set No. 52, made 1913 to 1920..with a No. 53 Square Cab loco pulling cars No. 180, 181, and 182. This particular set, which just came out of storage after decades, is a little unusual because the loco reverse plate is stamped MFG, but it has a late production strap headlight, which is less common. Two of the three cars are embossed MFG. It's probably a transitional set...ca. 1917 or 1918.

Jim

Brass Piper Movies

Check out this Brass Piper Youtube Video. Also, the guy that did a great job loading this one loaded quite a few more. Check them out when you go to You Tube.

Marc

Lionel Summer Trolleys

The new Lionel Standard gauge tinplate summer trollry repros running. This is a really nice set. The motor in the powered car seems like a very faithful reproduction of a period motor even down to having bronze bushings in the steel side frames.

Jim

Ives Shots

Bruce sent me some nice shots of his Ives 1134 cruising around his layout. Just sharing on a very cold Wednesday!
Marc