OK, its the month to give thanks and for family. So....what's your family's favorite item (engine, set, accessory, etc). My son's favorite is the largest engine I have, which is the Lionel 256. In stark contrast, my wife's favorite is my smallest, the Lionel 248 that goes around our Christmas tree each year.





Looking forward to family (and friends) favorites.

Very nice layout. The 256 is one of my favorites. Like those dual motors and wish I had one. Yours looks quite nice. Must pull well.

Do you use the catenary?

I always look forward to your photos, RJ. That 256 is great... and one of my favorites as well. I recently purchased the MTH version to go with a set of 700 series coaches I purchased for my wife last year. Unfortunately, I have to wait 'til Christmas morning to see it run... it'll be a good time for the two of us, I'm sure.

Steve

I've had my eye on a 256 for some time now (MTH repro version) but am still undecided about it because it's a whole lot larger than the O tinplate motive power I'm currently using. I guess I tend to be drawn to the smaller O tinplate stuff because even my MTH 260s look awfully big compared to the 249s, Ives 1694s, and other small items I'm running. Nevertheless, the 260 Christmas Train will be seeing a lot of running time this holiday season.

Size-wise, how do the 2800 series cars look behind a 256?

To be honest, I never thought about mating this loco with 2800-series freights. Given it's size, I think it would dwarf just about anything behind it, with the exception of the 700-series coaches. I'm like you, Allan, in that the smaller stuff works better given the confines of my layout... but somehow I just can't get past the "bigger is better" habit from time to time.

Steve

A few years ago I took my partner to see a toy train exhibit at Grand Central Terminal in New York. That year they had a fabulous 0 gauge Orient Express set on display, borrowed from some museum somewhere. My other half was amazed at the beauty of the cars and the detailed interiors. Ever since then no matter what I've acquired, that set stood out, had made such an impression with him, and was his favorite. "When was I going to get a set like that?" Well, finally I acquired four Elettren (Italy) 0 gauge Orient Express cars, probably the finest, most detailed cars ever made in tinplate. The sleeping car has fully detailed washrooms, and beds with upper and lower berths and real fabric pillows and blankets! To give you an idea of how detailed these cars are, here is the CIWL dining car, and a look at the detailed interior.

The cars are 19 inches long coupler to coupler.



There are lamps and place setings on the tables. The tablecloths are formed tinplate.





There are pots and pans on the stove in the galley. You can almost smell the chicken frying!

Jim - Those are the most spectacular tinplate I have ever seen or heard of. Photos aren't so bad either With your blessing will post on the JeP Yahoo Group.

Very best,

Mike Spanier
Lionel Super "O" Track is always being BOUGHT & SOLD

quote:

Originally posted by H. Michael Spanier:
Jim - Those are the most spectacular tinplate I have ever seen or heard of. Photos aren't so bad either With your blessing will post on the JeP Yahoo Group.

Sure thing, Mike...good idea to post on the JEP group.

Jim

WOW!!!

That is quite a find! I've detailed a lot of my HO scale Maerklin dining cars in similar fashion, but this is the first I've seen in O. Thanks for sharing,

Steve

"Family" What an interesting concept. I am not into Tinplate that long that I think any of my family has ever seen my tinplate trains. Hmm. I hosted my brothers and their families this year at Easter, and I had no trains out at all. It seems I have nothing to add for this month. Now I have a challenge before me. To expose my family to the wonders of tin trains, either O or Standard.

Lionel 200 series!

That's a train the cat CAN'T knock off the track!



Wes

RJ Davis, I love your prewar layout. I watched the video of your layout on youtube. It inspired me to build a prewar layout of my own. It is similar to yours, having two levels and three seperate loops but its only 4' X 6' and does not have as much detail as yours. I run a #262, #252, and #1684 2-4-2 steamer. I hope to be able to post some pics or a video of it soon.

Joe

My son and I got a huge kick out of watching this monster on the layout. Can't make my curves (yet). Man, this thing is like parking a Volkswagen on my benchwork!

Jim, Those coaches are rolling pieces of art with all the details in them. You must have really lucked out when you came across them. How did you ever find out someone had them for sale?

Marc, The plated Brute looks really great on your layout!

The photo of the Brute really puts its size in perspective.Look at the Green 116 station behind it.

quote:

Originally posted by FERNCLIFF& GREENPOINT RY.:
The photo of the Brute really puts its size in perspective.Look at the Green 116 station behind it.

There's a 116 station behind it?

Jim, those cars must be great to see in person, because the pics are amazing. I'm glad you have an interest and share your finds/knowledge in foreign manufacturers. I'd love to expand my efforts.

Mike, the catenary is just for show, but I'm glad I added them. I debated it for awhile. Unfortunately, my 256 is lonely. I have not yet purchased 710-712 passenger cars for it. I'm hoping to build another layout that would feature my larger trains and accessories.

PreWar Steve and jvega2, thanks for the kind words. Jvega2 I think its safe to say that everyone will be looking forward to you posting pics of your layout.

Wes, that's one of my favorite pictures.

Finally, Marc. It looks like the table is tilting a little in your first pic from the weight! I've yet to see this monster in person, but I've enjoyed all the time and pics that have been posted about it thus far.

Great pics so far everyone. Keep them coming.

Marc,
Thanks for posting a picture of the "other brute".
Scott Smith

Scott,

That's a really cool shot.

I think that bridge is bending a bit.

I've heard of that guy that Jim got those Elettren cars from. I might even know him! He might trade off a few more of those cars for some Marklin 1700 freight cars in O gauge or gauge 1. Or maybe for some Darstaed cars or Wilag gauge 1 cars.

I think the train under the "Deepwater" bridge is thinking it's in deep... ah, you get the idea.

Scott, Looks like you are running a little low on your smoke fluid supply.

Jim:

Those Elettren cars are TRUE works of art. AWESOME!

Enjoy your treasures!