Recent Rescues

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