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Remember that old toy train set?

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  • #1

    Remember that old toy train set?

    The old American Flyer one from the 50's I was futzing around with? Well, someone needs to consider an intervention.

    I warned you all toy/model trains aren't a hobby, but a malignant obsession, and I fear it's too late for me to quit. The layout has grown substantially, and I've already expended all my Xmas gift cash on eBay in the never ending quest for more!


    WHO DARES CHALLENGE MY RAIL NETWORK!?!??!

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...80&oe=5CD61F5C

    This is just me "testing" various track plans, because I intend to start building a table for it soon. I don't have kids, but having a dog in the same house is asking for a disaster in time if it stays on the floor.....

    (Yes, I've since moved from the basement to upstairs where it's far warmer and drier.)

    Speaking of the basement, rooting around down there led me to discover a long-buried box. Inside was a treasure trove.

    This wooden trestle my Grandfather built

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...6e&oe=5CD4079F

    These scratch-built houses

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...61&oe=5CCB7DB1




    Some original "Plasticville" structures, generic buildings that worked for any "S" or "O" scale layout, like a Lionel, Marx or Flyer.

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a8&oe=5CD0D6E9


    And some of my old HO scale trains, that I actually advanced as a modeler on enough to try weathering up a freight car or two before college put an end to it.

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...95&oe=5C8B11FA

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...4f&oe=5CBF8700

    AND, FWIW - my old grade school lunchbox, for some reason, was in there too.

    https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...7d&oe=5CCD3863
    - They say nothing good happens at 2AM, they're right, I happen at 2AM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    So this is a family curse, is it?

    Comment

    • #3
      Quoth Mental_Mouse View Post
      So this is a family curse, is it?
      Not a curse. A LEGACY.

      Comment

      • #4
        It's genetic, and it's one of the greatest things that can be passed down.

        Comment

        • #5
          Cool. My brother had a few of those when we were kids. I think they got stolen at some point
          When you start at zero, everything's progress.

          Comment

          • #6
            You're right about it being an obsession, one I've managed to avoid so far (I have more than enough others, thank you very much.)

            I get to hear about my co-worker and his obsession with Z scale. Yes, it exists. And it's ridiculously small. Track gauge (distance between the rails) is 6.5mm!
            "If your day is filled with firefighting, you need to start taking the matches away from the toddlers…” - HM

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            • #7
              Well, because you didn't ask, here's the higlights from the last operating session, just to prove that, yes, they run.

              Reading Atlantic #301 and a short freight

              https://www.facebook.com/paul.seifer...2150385930875/

              Pennsy K5 Pacific #310 with a heavy manifest freight

              https://www.facebook.com/paul.seifer...2150242597556/

              Southern GP-7 with a short cut of coal loads

              https://www.facebook.com/paul.seifer...2355372577043/

              Wonder if anyone at the factory thought anyone would still be playing with these as intended 60 years later?
              - They say nothing good happens at 2AM, they're right, I happen at 2AM.

              Comment

              • #8
                If you're up for a road trip, I will be at the Great Scale Model Train Show at the Maryland State Fairground in Timonium, MD, on February 2-3 (Sat-Sun) with my club, the Japan Rail Modelers.

                Stop by and say "Hi" if you decide to go.

                And they usually have an American Flyer layout on display.
                "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

                Comment

                • #9
                  Woo hoo!! Dead engine bought off eBay at half the going-rate (because it dead) no longer dead....

                  CNW #355 reporting for duty!

                  https://www.facebook.com/paul.seifer...4681255677788/
                  - They say nothing good happens at 2AM, they're right, I happen at 2AM.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I have a few 'Flyer' pieces, including this HO scale 0-6-0...that someone painted gold for some reason. While I do plan on repairing it, there's no way it will ever run again. Parts for the HO stuff are expensive and hard to find. Also, Flyer's HO scale line...runs on AC power, not DC. It's not compatible with the rest of my equipment.
                    Attached Files
                    Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. --Enzo Ferrari

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                    • #11
                      Found this HO scale GP7 on Ebay some years ago. Here it is shuffling a few hoppers around
                      Attached Files
                      Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. --Enzo Ferrari

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Nicely weathered hoppers too.

                        I got tired of looking at the empty bottoms of mine so I built some home-made pipe loads for a couple

                        https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e7&oe=5CB30FEF

                        And then bit the bullet and bought commercially-made scrap loads for the rest.

                        https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...91&oe=5CB899FA
                        - They say nothing good happens at 2AM, they're right, I happen at 2AM.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          As a child, I had this toy too.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Not a model railroader but I am a miniaturist (I do dollhouse scale, 1:12). There are at least three model railroad shops in my city (including one with a shop dog named Diesel, who is ADORABLE) and they're amazing places to get supplies. Luke Towan on YouTube has also taught me how to do a lot of cool scratch building. If you're on Reddit check out r/modelrailroads

                            Quoth Crossbow View Post
                            You're right about it being an obsession, one I've managed to avoid so far (I have more than enough others, thank you very much.)

                            I get to hear about my co-worker and his obsession with Z scale. Yes, it exists. And it's ridiculously small. Track gauge (distance between the rails) is 6.5mm!
                            That IS tiny. The guy I watch on Youtube for tips uses HO scale. I don't do trains, I do dollhouse stuff (1:12 or "True Miniature" scale) but there's a LOT of crossover.
                            Last edited by EricKei; 02-06-2019, 09:07 AM. Reason: merged consecutive posts
                            "I try to be curious about everything, even things that don't interest me." -Alex Trebek

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              I once saw a Z scale layout inside of a briefcase.

                              If you really want to see small... Omega scale. The train engine was about the size of a penny.
                              Life is too short to not eat popcorn.
                              Save the Ales!
                              Toys for Tots at Rooster's Cafe

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