The Train Stops Here!

I took a few shots out of the upcoming Stout Auction and some past NETTE auctions to make a point. I think the most common item in any layout is the station. Yet stations are completely uncommon.

The scales are different. Each manufacturer has a radically different take on how to create a stations (lithography vs. pressed metal, etc.). Lighting is different and so seems to be the accessories or accessory that comes along with the station. We all tend to dwell on the Lionel classic stations yet here are wonderful stations from many of the other manufacturers. I have quite a few other pics of stations I'll post at some point as well.

I think the station is probably the most produced toy train accessory there is short of the banjo signal. Yet only a few are produced now (Pridelines, Lionel and MTH all have made some variation of the Lionel flavor). Yet there are still many wonderful Ives, Dorfan and Marklin stations that create a jaw dropping spectacle on any layout. I seem to remember the Marklin stations going for a small fortune at the Ward Kimball auction.

So what stations would everyone like to see reproduced? I for one would like to see something a little more updated like the Union Terminal in Cincinnati. Send me pictures of your favorite stations and I'll post them asap.

Marc
mrkuffler (at) aol.com

A Great American Flyer Wide Gauge Bridge

I've wanted to own the spectacular American Flyer Standard guage No. 4220 Lighted Trestel Bridge for about as long as I've been collecting Standard gauge trains. They come up on EBAY from time to time but I have never won an auction for one. I passed up one at the Allentown semi-annual show a few years ago and I've been kicking myself ever since. This past weekend in Allentown some guys had this beauty on their table along with the smaller 0 gauge "Salt Lake" bridge and so I bought them both - for $140.. The price was right, that's for sure! The 4220 has both original light castings which are soldered to several sections of original AF track. The telegraph poles are gone, but that's an easy replacement from Trickel cast parts. The bridge is so long that it can hold three AF "Lone Scout" cars on its span! Talk about an impressive accessory!

Jim