I didn't want to go, but I went anyway to the Great Train Expo at Puyallup (that's Pew-AL-up, in case you're wondering). The main reason I didn't want to go was because I knew I'd spend money. You see, I'm a sucker for a stray car in need of a good home. And I don't mean any old car that strikes my fancy, but real basket-cases, in rough shape, in need of some TLC, well, you get the idea. Somehow I'm drawn to the love that went into building these vintage beauties, and I can't bear the thought of them spending another night in a cardboard tray, being schlepped from show to show and passed over by time and again.
So here are the recent rescues I brought home, in no particular order:
How could anyone say no? Backup and Push? Seriously? Saw this for 5 bucks and didn't think twice. If anyone out there has any leads as to the origins of the car, PLEASE let me know. I'd love to find out more. A cursory internet search yielded nada... This car is lettered outside my era, and built with AB brakes, but I dare not change it and it will be run for fun occasionally. Next:
I was surprised to learn there really was a Warrior River Terminal, and pleasantly surprised to learn it was in the South (Alabama). Someone did a fine job building what appears to be a Silver Streak or Ulrich (early) truss rod box car. Kadee arch bar trucks and couplers, though one set of trucks had plastic wheels. A quick swap for a pair of ribbed-back P2K's and this car was pressed into service retrieving a load of lumber from the interchange at Pinto. It will need some paint touch up, a new brake staff, wheel and stand, and a little chip repair on the roof end. Next:
This car IS appropriate for my era, with perhaps the exception of the trucks. A nice double-sheathed boxcar, and I'm guessing here that it is a VERY early Silver Streak kit. The clues - no cross beams on the underframe, and no gaps in the center sill for them! Micro Motive trucks - how cool! Real rubber spring inserts that still have give. MR ads from the late 40's indicate these were an option with Silver Streak kits. Here's a closer look:
I will most likely
carefully RE-kit this car and then rebuild with a nice pair of Andrews trucks. Finally, a flat:
Saw this at the show in Chehalis and didn't buy it then. Same dealer had the same car at Puyallup and I brought home an exquisitely built unlettered flat car. I'm guessing it is a Labelle kit, as it appears to be wood construction with Tichy or Grandt Line details. Looks like IHC trucks, but at least they're arch bars. I plan to finish the brake rigging, (only the cylinder was in place), swap the trucks for Kadee 501's, then add weight - plenty of room between the beams under the floor. Not sure if this will be a BTLC car or an OCRY car. Still time to think.
Currently on the workbench is a kitbashed handcar shed that matches the Pinto depot and Freight house, and my own Silver Streak 929-900 Truss rod box car that will become an Ocali Creek car, used in LCL service.
Big update, long overdue. Thanks for reading, and happy train season!
Galen
