Looks like we are up for the NETTE auction for July 24th! Some great Prewar (like the above Baby State)...Stout is having an auction tomorrow (July 10th). Not much prewar though...
Marc
Friday, July 09, 2010
Auctions this weekend and beyond....
Looks like we are up for the NETTE auction for July 24th! Some great Prewar (like the above Baby State)...Stout is having an auction tomorrow (July 10th). Not much prewar though...
Marc
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Voltamp Pride Lines
Check out this wonderful little Voltamp set that the wonderful folks at Pride Lines put together. No doubt about it, losing Mr. Davanzo was a big loss to the train community and to all of us. This little set is something big. I just hope that all of his amazing talent was not (nor will ever be) lost...
Marc
Marc
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Shameless Plug - Garden Railways
I got bored and a little frustrated with Classic Toy Trains so I started looking at other magazines that Kalmbach owns and elsewhere.
O Gauge Model Railroader is an excellent magazine, no doubt, however I do prefer heavier and larger trains. This drew me to Garden Railways. I do have a few MTH and Bachmann G gauge items (Hudson, Big Boy, hand cars, etc). and I do enjoy garden railways when I see them.
Withouth blathering on too much, I am very glad I subscribed to this magazine. It's a vast departure from other Kalmbach magazines in that it doesn't adhere to a formula that essentially makes it look and feel the same way every time.
I really enjoyed Marc Horovitz's editorial this month, quite frankly it was beautifully written and actually got me to think about the topic Marc intended. It was a very well done piece that I had to read twice because I liked the message and the writing.
What does this have to do with standard gauge trains? Well, G gauge is a bit larger and different than standard gauge. From what I've seen from this magazine, G gaugers really love to modify and scratch build in all facets of the hobby. There are tons of great ideas in these pages and I do really enjoy the large trains offered up in gorgeous backyard and garden layouts.
One thing I also really like is that G gaugers are very international, they are really where ever there is enough real estate to merit a large backyard layout. I really enjoy seeing different trains from different manufacturers from around the globe. They all are reviewed and there is wonderful information about how they fit into the G Gauge ecosystem. There also seems to be many more means for command and control in G gauge and with different approaches depending on manufacturer and locale.
The running water, live plants and very wide curves really offer a different experience than standard gauge. All told, this is one magazine I am very glad to have found. It delivers on multiple levels. Check it out here.
Marc
O Gauge Model Railroader is an excellent magazine, no doubt, however I do prefer heavier and larger trains. This drew me to Garden Railways. I do have a few MTH and Bachmann G gauge items (Hudson, Big Boy, hand cars, etc). and I do enjoy garden railways when I see them.
Withouth blathering on too much, I am very glad I subscribed to this magazine. It's a vast departure from other Kalmbach magazines in that it doesn't adhere to a formula that essentially makes it look and feel the same way every time.
I really enjoyed Marc Horovitz's editorial this month, quite frankly it was beautifully written and actually got me to think about the topic Marc intended. It was a very well done piece that I had to read twice because I liked the message and the writing.
What does this have to do with standard gauge trains? Well, G gauge is a bit larger and different than standard gauge. From what I've seen from this magazine, G gaugers really love to modify and scratch build in all facets of the hobby. There are tons of great ideas in these pages and I do really enjoy the large trains offered up in gorgeous backyard and garden layouts.
One thing I also really like is that G gaugers are very international, they are really where ever there is enough real estate to merit a large backyard layout. I really enjoy seeing different trains from different manufacturers from around the globe. They all are reviewed and there is wonderful information about how they fit into the G Gauge ecosystem. There also seems to be many more means for command and control in G gauge and with different approaches depending on manufacturer and locale.
The running water, live plants and very wide curves really offer a different experience than standard gauge. All told, this is one magazine I am very glad to have found. It delivers on multiple levels. Check it out here.
Marc
Monday, July 05, 2010
A real Bascule Bridge
Just hanging around Mystic, CT. for the 4th of July weekend and I had a chance to grab a clip of the Bascule Bridge operating. Built in 1922, this thing is near silent and runs as smooth as glass. It's amazing from the inside as well as I walked across it several times. Trust me, when you see these things really up close they are marvels of engineering and steel.
By the way, Mystic is an awesome seaport town. If you want a solid destination for a weekend getaway or just a great place to hang, this is it.
Marc
PS The retards in the kayaks made it difficult for the bridge operator to actually start raising the bridge after the whistle blew. I guess hitting the bridge with your paddle is a sign of good luck for a challenged kayaking tourist...
SGMA Baltimore TCA 2010
Wow, check out this Youtube of the wonderful SGMA showing in Baltimore! I have got to get to some shows and do some volunteering for the SGMA! These guys really are the best of the best. I did enjoy the N&W J and the Big Boy. I am guessing they are probably from Arno's collection? It's one of the reasons we have to encourage the manufacturers to do some "out of box" thinking. Lionel Classics are great but these two engines are really a sight. Hopefully we'll hear where the next SGMA gathering will be soon....
Thanks again guys, great job as always.
Marc
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Back to Standard Gauge Trains...
I promised my buddy Captain Joe I'd post some pictures of the new Pride Lines Mickey Mouse Train I just picked up. Trust me folks, realism isn't why you are looking at my layout (The Kuff Kuff Shortline).
I figured Mickey and Marx go together. I shot a movie as well that I have yet to get into Youtube. Hopefully you can settle for the pictures now. These Marx Mercury's are wonderful, they make quite a racket and rumble around this Lionel track wonderfully. I could probably leave this running all day on the O gauge loop and it would probably go without a hitch (and stink up the place in the process).
I'll post a few more pics of the Mickey train. It really is pretty wonderful. Absolutely gorgeous art on this thing, just when you think you've seen the coolest train....
Marc
I figured Mickey and Marx go together. I shot a movie as well that I have yet to get into Youtube. Hopefully you can settle for the pictures now. These Marx Mercury's are wonderful, they make quite a racket and rumble around this Lionel track wonderfully. I could probably leave this running all day on the O gauge loop and it would probably go without a hitch (and stink up the place in the process).
I'll post a few more pics of the Mickey train. It really is pretty wonderful. Absolutely gorgeous art on this thing, just when you think you've seen the coolest train....
Marc
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
And More Shots...
Just a few more shots from the Mid-Atlantic airshow and WWII day. That black plane is British, it is called a "Lancaster" and it is easily the most intimidating plane I've ever seen. Yes, I've been to many other shows and the Intrepid and seen the SR-71, Harriers, F-16's fully loaded, etc. This thing is far scarier close up than any of those. I'm not sure whether it is the design, the weaponry or just the overall atmosphere of the plane. It was plain scary in 90 degree, broad daylight. And yes, I'd go see it again.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Cool Airshow I went to in PA
Here are some more pics of this giant airshow I went to. The link is active (above). Standard Gaugers, if you can get out and away from the layout, this is some cool stuff for the summer time. I actually spent a lot of time around the German stuff. They had almost everything the German army had there onsite!
This was one crazy show. To put it bluntly, this was for serious aficianado's of WWII. The Germans and Americans had authentic camps down to the food they were eating. The tents, food, vehicles, shoes, socks, etc. was 100% authentic. The weapons were amazing and spot on (they had all of the German weapons). The trucks from the Afrika Corp were like new. Just amazing. Get away from the layout for a while...
This was one crazy show. To put it bluntly, this was for serious aficianado's of WWII. The Germans and Americans had authentic camps down to the food they were eating. The tents, food, vehicles, shoes, socks, etc. was 100% authentic. The weapons were amazing and spot on (they had all of the German weapons). The trucks from the Afrika Corp were like new. Just amazing. Get away from the layout for a while...
More Pics of Strasburg
Good to know people are reading the BLOG! Here's some more pics from Strasburg RR.
Marc
Marc
Sunday, June 27, 2010
More NTTM Museum Shots
Mike Miller sent me these two pics via Photobucket of some primo Voltamp. I never get tired of these trains....
And yet more CAMA shots...
I know I've seen this switcher in standard gauge.... McCoy I think....
Marc
Marc
More CAMA shot
Check it out, a real switch from a very small gauge minor operation. And this is an operating switch, not some rusted antique that doesn't work anymore. How cool is this?
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association
As you've probably figured out by now, I'm a guy that gets out in the world and gets around....ALOT.
This weekend was absolutely no exception. In this case, I went to an amazing Car and Air show in New Milford, CT. The show is called "Wheels and Wings 2010". It's really great, it's a small show with a ton of classic cars and small planes. The airport is essentially a really long stretch of field and grass nestled between two mountains. It was fairly hot however the show was stellar. Be glad to post some pics if anyone likes.
My kids and I started wandering around and I saw a really cool locomotive off on the side of the road (last one in this post). I HAD TO STOP.
I wasn't disappointed and as per usual, my wandering was heavily rewarded. The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association is completely amazing! They have antique tractors, trains, agricultural equipment and even a steam motorcycle! Apparently they have a huge show that is well attended and is supposed to be excellent. The site of the museum also has the Connecticut Museum of Mining and Mineral Science (as you can see from the mining items below). This is a very small but very, very high quality museum. The deals on gems and rocks were the best I have ever seen, bar none.
Now what does this have to do with trains? Well, take a look at some of the items below. Look familiar? I took quite a few pics of the mining trains and they have a distinct resemblance to the Carlisle and Finch mining trains. And those locos and cars I've seen in Tinplate before as well. The point is that it is enlightening to see prototypes, largely because it debunks the whole "creative license was taken with the toy". Maybe so, maybe there is a bit of creative license, however when you look at these items, maybe there is less than we think. Regardless, I love seeing prototypes and I am definintely going back! If you are in CT, there are 3 train museums, 2 well known trolley museums and littler museums like this and none of them will be a disappointment.
Marc
This weekend was absolutely no exception. In this case, I went to an amazing Car and Air show in New Milford, CT. The show is called "Wheels and Wings 2010". It's really great, it's a small show with a ton of classic cars and small planes. The airport is essentially a really long stretch of field and grass nestled between two mountains. It was fairly hot however the show was stellar. Be glad to post some pics if anyone likes.
My kids and I started wandering around and I saw a really cool locomotive off on the side of the road (last one in this post). I HAD TO STOP.
I wasn't disappointed and as per usual, my wandering was heavily rewarded. The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association is completely amazing! They have antique tractors, trains, agricultural equipment and even a steam motorcycle! Apparently they have a huge show that is well attended and is supposed to be excellent. The site of the museum also has the Connecticut Museum of Mining and Mineral Science (as you can see from the mining items below). This is a very small but very, very high quality museum. The deals on gems and rocks were the best I have ever seen, bar none.
Now what does this have to do with trains? Well, take a look at some of the items below. Look familiar? I took quite a few pics of the mining trains and they have a distinct resemblance to the Carlisle and Finch mining trains. And those locos and cars I've seen in Tinplate before as well. The point is that it is enlightening to see prototypes, largely because it debunks the whole "creative license was taken with the toy". Maybe so, maybe there is a bit of creative license, however when you look at these items, maybe there is less than we think. Regardless, I love seeing prototypes and I am definintely going back! If you are in CT, there are 3 train museums, 2 well known trolley museums and littler museums like this and none of them will be a disappointment.
Marc
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Pink Girls Standard Gauge
Never done by Lionel, it is still rare and pretty (I rarely use that word). Pink is not a color I normally associate with trains but this works. Go figure.
Marc
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