Candy Store

This week, train progress has been slim to none - I'm waiting for the missing track pieces to arrive so that I may continue the project. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed cataloging the mostly-PostWar Lionel train collection that Cal is hosting. It is a pleasure to be able to study this collection first hand. Cal set up a 16x8 foot table in one of his shops for me to process all the pieces. And there are MANY pieces...

I worked on it for 5.5 hours on Saturday, and made it through about 1/3 of it. But, the time zipped by - it is very fun! Highlights from Saturday's session include a #456 Coal Loader in complete condition (with box), and a #2343/2343C ATSF ABA F3 set in a "played with" condition. The original owner had collected dozens of PostWar operating accessories, and each one has a variety of components - most of which are all present, but are scattered about the table. So, when I come across something like an operating sawmill, I need to look through a pile of parts and electronics to find the specific logs, lumber, wires, and connectors that would have gone with the accessory. I'm not complaining - it just makes the process take a bit longer.

One thing that strikes me is that many items have the original orange Lionel boxes, even piddly things like electrical connectors and replacement street lamp bulbs. I was able to express, to Cal's amazement, the collector value of the boxes - even empty boxes. A huge pile of original paperwork and instructions are present as well. It is interesting to be learning a bit about the original collector through the train collection. I think we would have had a lot in common when it comes to trains. Before he passed away he had already sold off some of the collection, including a #773 hudson. He kept records of what he had, drew up plans, and took lots of pictures of the collection - kind of sounds like me! Studying this fellow through his model trains is what I call microferroequinolgistology, which means "the study of model railroaders". 

I continued the assessment on Tuesday after work. This evening was focused on the "trains" part of the collection, with highlights including a #685 steamer, a newer Lionmaster Southern Pacific cab forward steamer, a 3-car set of B&O RDCs, and 14 6464-class boxcars. I studied the 6464's carefully, and found that they were all of the "common" variety - none of them are the rare versions. Still, it was quite a treat to check out such a nice collection of these colorful cars. By my calculation, there were 29 different "common" Postwar 6464's manufactured. Some of these cars, like the Alaska Railroad boxcar, were made in low quantities. With all of the variations to these cars, some have followed the quest to collect every possible version of these cars. That isn't really the curve of my track - I collect trains so that I can run them on layouts!

This week, I also progressed a bit on finding a buyer for the N Scale train collection.

I have received many questions about the train layout I am currently constructing - I hope this can clear up some confusion:

This layout is designed to operate scale and semi-scale trains. It is 8' by 7', and the table top is over 4' above the floor. Steps and platforms will be provided around the edge of the layout for visitors to stand on to get a better view. This layout will not have permanent scenery or terrain. The layout will have temporary details like cars, buildings, and stand-up trees. This is a toy train set, not a scale layout. The track is all O-gauge tubular track. There will be 4 loops of track. The outer loop will be O-72, the next will be O-42, the next will be O-31, and the innermost will also be O-31. The track will be screwed to the table after cork roadbed is added. At present, there is not a plan for an elevated track, but I am leaving this option open. The primary reason for the height of the layout is to provide storage space for trains, train boxes, and the multitude of other model railroading supplies and accessories underneath it. As of now, the plan is to move this entire train table to another building in the future.

Keep your rails shiny~

Myself and part of a #2343 ABA ATSF set