tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76656582012-01-27T15:57:15.434-05:00The Big Seven - Ives, Lionel, American Flyer, Dorfan, Boucher and General Trains and Cohen....Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.comBlogger14961100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-16053681900820364872012-01-27T14:14:00.000-05:002012-01-27T14:14:04.372-05:00

So a minor confession: I really love stubby trains.  These are trains that are truncated or shortened.  Shorter, designed atypically with one truck and made to work in a very small space and with very tight curves.  There are prototypes for truncated or shortened trains.  Mining was the most common (plenty of mining trains can be seen elsewhere on this blog).  Mine cars and mining trains have

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-64886664767326394732012-01-27T10:45:00.000-05:002012-01-27T10:45:15.091-05:00

I just liked this shot...

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-16122086828737634132012-01-24T09:52:00.001-05:002012-01-24T09:53:06.943-05:00

The outer loop will be 80" radius 2" gauge. Below are two loops of Standard gauge (84" and 72.") and a loop of 2" gauge. Below that two loops of 0 gauge and just off the floor two loops of No.1 gauge. That makes nine separate loops of track!

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-80475941205613358682012-01-11T18:52:00.001-05:002012-01-11T18:52:35.195-05:00

Stubby Trains and the collectors that love them.  More Soon! Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-21852936579203596752012-01-11T18:50:00.002-05:002012-01-11T18:50:37.267-05:00

For those of you not technically inclined, I am posting some of the great shots from the SGMA event in Pittsburgh.  Ya gotta love these guys! Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-71822132385385129772012-01-09T07:45:00.001-05:002012-01-09T07:45:43.631-05:00

I want to add a loop of wide radius 2" gauge track, so it's time to expand the upper level on the layout. This is about it, though, I don't have anywhere else I can expand after this. It's nice for a city boy like me to live in a city twonhouse, but there are space limitations, and that's one of the tradeoffs you have to make if you want city living.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-32599338832285414232012-01-02T11:40:00.000-05:002012-01-02T11:40:29.160-05:00

From the 0 Gauge RR Tinplate Forum, member Nachtjager has done a nice job rejuvenating an IVES loco..."Scarce tan Ives brass plate 3242 (1926) making a few test laps with a few freight cars. All original wiring, original armature, original wheels. This loco had been overpainted black on the outside and it took me four days to dig out the original tan paint!"

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-40224364646116317232011-12-26T08:12:00.002-05:002011-12-26T08:12:42.752-05:00

"Everything I Have Runs" is my motto. Luckily this treasure fresh out of an attic is in great operating condition. There's a video on my (skeptic49) YouTube channel.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-85243689955707940212011-12-24T23:49:00.000-05:002011-12-24T23:50:31.635-05:00

I just love the lights in Grand Central. They don't make them like this anymore. Does it get better than this? Merry Christmas everyone! Marc PS Click on the pic to blow this up.  The ceiling isn't too shabby either!

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-18897031412688450562011-12-24T20:10:00.002-05:002011-12-24T20:12:07.665-05:00

You have to check out this shoe place.  Yes, I'm not insane.  Really.  I'm not.  Frye's Shoes is there flagship store at 113 Spring Street in NYC.  Don't go for the shoes unless you have a wife or girlfriend and your credit card has a high limit and is paid off.  They have nice shoes.  This is a blog about trains and tinplate.  And it's what they have in the window that is something special.  

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-53331062572550800382011-12-24T19:54:00.003-05:002011-12-24T19:54:36.635-05:00

Merry Christmas All!  Welcome to prime time for toy trains.  I was in Grand Central last week with my Panasonic Micro 4/3rds camera.  And well, go figure, there were a few toy trains there.  Grand Central at Christmas is always a spectacle.  There are quite a few special stations in the United States and Grand Central is the king to rule them all.  I really don't even think the models of it do

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-83467730541972169622011-12-19T09:45:00.001-05:002011-12-19T09:45:39.824-05:00

This is not mine...but reflects a lot of effort on the part of the hobbyist.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-45873834890742970172011-12-18T08:14:00.001-05:002011-12-18T08:14:44.170-05:00

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-88438945106006052642011-12-12T15:49:00.000-05:002011-12-12T15:49:14.408-05:00

Ok, stop watching that stupid Orange on Youtube and watch a neat tinplate slideshow instead: http://www.tinplaterr.info/OGRForum.html If you have Apple TV on your television these are really neat to watch on a larger screen.  Somehow laptop screens and tinplate just don't work.  I am in the early stages of a layout rework.  I am bored to tears of a straight oval.  I'm afraid I'm one of those

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-87455322189852614342011-12-08T12:34:00.001-05:002011-12-08T12:38:28.982-05:00

A friend suggested "Mothers" metal polish to use on dirty painted tinplate. I have to say it really does a nice job as you may be able to see in the photo of this Voltamp piece I just bought. It just came out of an attic in upstate PA and it is REALLY dirty! Note how shiny it made the roof.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-82189403333950398322011-12-03T12:34:00.001-05:002011-12-03T12:35:49.179-05:00

You must spend some time checking out the SGMA's amazing Pittsburgh event.  It doesn't get better than this. And with the visit to John DiSantis, it just puts it over the edge. With huge thanks to Kirk and team, this event just has to be seen! http://gallery.me.com/jeannettelindvig#100434&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=7 Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-62429366344413861482011-12-02T16:15:00.004-05:002011-12-02T16:22:20.607-05:00

Live steam doesn't always have to be steam. Hot air engines work on simple principles of expansion and contraction of air, and have been used for over a century for yeoman service. Check out this link to see Jay Leno's hot air engine pumping water around a bucket:http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/ericsson-hot-air-pumping-engine/1241133/Despite several science degrees and a few thermodynamics

alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08697721143754631073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-30271182299021986122011-11-13T12:23:00.001-05:002011-11-13T12:23:46.453-05:00

Hi Everyone - in the past I've put up several posts of my visit to the Statue Of Liberty.  Perhaps Lady Liberty is one of the greatest artistic representations of America's values for all time.  It also happens to be largely made out of metal and tinplate.  Go figure.   RMT/Aristocraft has created a wonderful model of Lady Liberty for toy train layouts.  Typically if you go to Liberty Island

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-46194633132426855172011-11-06T08:28:00.002-05:002011-11-06T08:28:20.827-05:00

A little bit more of the Monarch with a new streamliner on the pike as well.  Ya, I know the train room is a mess.  I'll clean it up later!   Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-58383478317295728062011-11-06T01:15:00.002-04:002011-11-06T01:17:58.967-04:00

Here is my first shot at a Youtube for the Iron Monarch set from MTH/American Flyer.  Let me know what you think! Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-88084444642818184032011-11-06T01:09:00.002-04:002011-11-06T01:09:28.254-04:00

As many people know, I am not a box saver.  However this new Iron Monarch set from MTH may make me use some of my meager closet space to save these wonderful little holders.  The graphics and quality of these boxes is really outstanding, they were a major surprise when opening up the set. Now I am just shooting a few shots of the set because it I have some Youtube videos I would rather

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-18651813528197250612011-10-21T17:30:00.000-04:002011-10-21T17:30:51.907-04:00

Just fishing through some of pics from Sacremento...

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-21958039188140447822011-09-17T20:21:00.005-04:002011-09-18T09:52:20.080-04:00

This is No. 1 gauge, not Standard gauge. I posted it because to my eye this is really beautiful tinplate. It's a professionally restored Karl Bub 2260 cataloged between 1927 and 1935. It's a pretty good representation of the Bavarian S 3/6, even though the 4-4-2 (Atlantic) wheel arrangement does not match the S 3/6 (Pacific 4-6-2.) Bub didn't make a triple coupled loco in No. 1 gauge.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-27490296256684563032011-08-23T13:25:00.004-04:002011-08-23T13:31:10.172-04:00

Some of the shots from the amazing Tom Sefton Collection at the CSRM. This is just a "wow" when you see it. Take a look at the pics and layout, you'll get it. Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-87576404452220451862011-08-08T08:24:00.003-04:002011-08-08T08:27:21.867-04:00

Here are photos of the set showing detail and the quality of these hand made trains. The loco, in the style of the early 2 inch gauge Howard mining loco, has hand embossed riveting, is beautifully built on a wooden undercarriage like many early American electric toy trains, it's beautifully painted and decaled, has an authentic looking reverse lever and wooden encased headlamp, and

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-33801515607284390972011-08-01T10:13:00.000-04:002011-08-01T10:13:46.346-04:00

I know, not a huge layout by any means, it just caught my eye as a unique little opportunity... Race cars and trains do fit together oh so nicely!Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-23257896002569104052011-07-20T07:54:00.000-04:002011-07-20T07:54:16.714-04:00

New acquisition: in the style of Howard and Voltamp/Boucher, this is a scratch built set in Standard gauge.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-46312787906033054922011-06-22T11:53:00.004-04:002011-06-22T11:55:55.307-04:00

Tell me if you are getting tired of these pics.... I'm still on the first floor. I'm not even near the Sefton collection. The Cab forward (coming up next) is really amazing in person.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-64601832317563508602011-06-20T14:57:00.000-04:002011-06-20T14:57:19.935-04:00

Some details just cannot be missed. Steps like this say "class, style, comfort and attention to detail". This is the Virginia and Truckee car at CSRM.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-32800739318237774222011-06-20T13:08:00.000-04:002011-06-20T13:08:30.799-04:00

How nice is this car? It's even better on the inside! Somehow I don't feel like we've taken too many steps forward in transportation! Sure, I can get to the coast in 6 hours (not including the TSA, time to the airports, parking and so on). This just looks so much more civilized.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-14830112423878046372011-06-20T13:06:00.000-04:002011-06-20T13:06:39.073-04:00

Ever see this on a Lionel 300 series car? Standard Gauge is great however I've almost never seen this kind of artwork on any toy train!Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-41389146172034680192011-06-19T17:27:00.002-04:002011-06-19T17:35:17.539-04:00

Another shot of the amazing engine you see when you walk into the main area of the museum. Just amazing.They have these wonderful models all over the place. Check this one out. By the way, they also have quite a few folks walking around the museum in period railroad outfits that are extremely well tuned with knowledge and info on the exhibits.A cool little mock up of a station and a wonderful

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-22621480015606473722011-06-18T15:41:00.004-04:002011-06-18T15:47:11.261-04:00

When you walk into the museum, you walk into a massive display of planning and executing the railroads across California and the West transformed America. Again, this picture DOES NOT do this justice. If you want to learn something, read through as much as you can at the exhibit and try not to gawk at the amazing engine that is part of it.As an aside, I've been wanting to go this museum for the

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-59314323985404230752011-06-18T15:31:00.004-04:002011-06-18T15:37:44.941-04:00

Don't even start to think these pictures can do this museum justice. This is the train you get to see when you walk in the door. This museum is the DEAL of the century (by the way), at $9 a person for admission, it just doesn't get better than this.They have a little bit of Tom Sefton's collection down near the entrance. You know, the cheap stuff like the original Buddy L stuff in a sandbox,

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-46948014493531975872011-06-18T15:14:00.003-04:002011-06-18T15:29:35.834-04:00

If you are an art aficionado or devotee, there are museums in every state and in every country you can go to. Almost every one of them will be good and some will be excellent. Others are beyond excellent, you almost have to pinch yourself to believe what you are seeing. The Louvre in Paris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art in New York are a few of those kinds of

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-81624318788727052162011-06-16T19:56:00.003-04:002011-06-16T20:00:40.928-04:00

I visited the wonderful Tom Sefton collection and museum in Sacramento this week. All I can say is that I was struck dumb. I have so many pics and thoughts to post, it will basically refresh the entire blog page. Let me settle down a bit first, I have some bad jetlag and need to figure out which timezone I am in...Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-73939973006175696792011-06-12T13:52:00.004-04:002011-06-12T14:04:48.350-04:00

Some of you requested I post some pics of Mr Cohen doing his thing. I dug back in the archive and found a few. I know I have more, they are just part of about 10,000 pictures I have stored so far on my server..I'll keep digging. In the meantime, I'd respectfully ask that these not be re-used at all for any reason. I didn't put a watermark on these as I felt that it was inappropriate, I've

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-2291159108188378252011-06-10T15:40:00.008-04:002011-06-10T16:14:34.792-04:00

I had said I would post a few pictures with the passing of Mr. James Cohen of Trumbull, CT.. He was a very good friend (and not just of me) but of Joe Mania, Bob and Magaret McCoy, George Sirus and many of the other folks that built rare and unsual toys after World War II. He spent much of his time and youth in Bridgeport, CT. He built some pretty amazing layouts when he was younger, specifically

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-28020107918403983442011-06-08T22:33:00.003-04:002011-06-08T22:46:41.746-04:00

Everyone that knew him and met him knew they were dealing with an expert toy train guy. This wasn't just some run of the mill blowhard who spouted off about all of the stuff he'd done or seen at a train show or on some layout somewhere. This guy had been to the Ives Factory and knew the brothers from Madison Hardware well. He was best man at Louis Hertz's wedding!Jim Cohen (JJC were his

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-40734429159885689802011-05-31T21:55:00.003-04:002011-05-31T22:05:03.520-04:00

There is a wonderful little prewar layout on eBay. Just a plain oval of track and some basic structures. The colors are really bright and crisp and the trains look amazing. When I was a kid I was always intrigued with the pre-formed German layouts made by Kibri and Noch. I guess Lionel had the same idea in 1926. I really love the simplicity of these. No big collections, no vast panoramas or

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-60562113034564500082011-05-31T09:38:00.000-04:002011-05-30T21:45:23.900-04:00

I just liked this picture. Scanning around Flickr and it caught my eye. Taken by a guy called "Aloha" in 2008. This station is even better in person! Click on the pic to open up the whole photo!Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-91475763423031200862011-05-30T11:46:00.002-04:002011-05-30T11:50:10.188-04:00

I was hanging out at the Statue Of Liberty on Sunday. The park staff that actually manage the island are as valuable and as great as the actual monument itself. I really did enjoy listening to them and Liberty herself is just always incredible. Check out the pic of the retired copper torch. Again, those things made out of metal just seem to go on forever....Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-39533916176624695392011-05-30T11:27:00.007-04:002011-05-30T11:45:28.088-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. Lately I've become less and less interested in the acquisition of trains vastly more interested in either using them or seeing the real thing. Summer is always ideal for the real McCoy and there are at least two trolley museums that are begging for my attention. These pics are from the Liberty State Park Station in New Jersey. This is where the actual Blue Comet

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-75917239482059403362011-04-13T18:45:00.001-04:002011-04-13T18:46:59.979-04:00

Wow, gotta redo the train room now... Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-31275176098160547652011-03-17T18:17:00.001-04:002011-03-17T18:19:37.269-04:00

http://www.mthtrains.com/news/467The beautiful Taylor presents an exciting new (prewar) engine from The Lionel Corporation. I'm not a huge fan of bright orange trains, I do like gunmetal however. Go check it out and let me know if you get one of these. Always great to see new tinplate.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-40779594770932891072011-03-14T12:00:00.004-04:002011-03-14T12:29:54.874-04:00

We've lost a giant in toy trains, Margaret McCoy. As part of the McCoy team, some of the most innovative, imaginative and wonderful toy trains ever produced came from the mind of Margaret. Make no mistake, she was a key partner in McCoy Trains of Washington State (aka The Chicken Coop). Her honesty, integrity and giving nature will be missed the world over. Margaret passed away on 3/13/11 at 8:30

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-52971262274485303522011-03-01T11:00:00.003-05:002011-03-01T11:00:16.765-05:00

One thing about the SGMA, those guys sure are right; Standard Gauge needs a big layout and a ton of room to really shine (ha, funny, shine). I did really enjoy the mix of trains the guys had at the show, there was some plain vanilla, some eclectic, some passenger and a ton of freight. One constant: friendly discussion all around from highly curious onlookers and the experts in the SGMA area. Kids

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-1893573122975882332011-02-28T16:03:00.003-05:002011-02-28T16:03:00.479-05:00

More pics from the SGMA. I saw Mr. Kelly taking pics and movies thus I am guessing we'll be seeing great stuff from him shortly as well....

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-54527575847339035622011-02-28T08:41:00.000-05:002011-02-28T08:41:10.022-05:00

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-68071455849847027022011-02-27T11:04:00.002-05:002011-02-27T11:07:58.730-05:00

Big Show in Edison this weekend. Good to see all of the SGMA guys doing their thing. Was also really nice to see all of the vendors there like Lionel, MTH and Aristocraft (to name a few). Turnout was just insane.

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-37060515252176522742011-02-27T11:03:00.000-05:002011-02-27T11:03:51.663-05:00

My friend Jim Kelly's gorgeous Boucher Blue Comet at the WGH Show this weekend in Edison, NJ.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-65066431493352610612011-02-27T10:59:00.001-05:002011-02-27T16:11:48.365-05:00

Took a quick Youtube of these cute little Aristocraft Eggliners running amok in NJ this weekend. The WGHS was fairly large, and really crowded. Half of me likes people playing with toy trains, the other half of me gets crazy navigating the crowds. More pics and movies coming...Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-40972158072504910022011-02-22T08:29:00.001-05:002011-02-22T08:30:27.984-05:00

The Prewar Times seems to have disappeared! Josh, if you are out there, drop me a note and let me know what happened?Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-51049787201715406102011-01-23T21:02:00.004-05:002011-01-23T21:04:15.784-05:00

In case you missed CBS Sunday Morning today, this is probably the best collection I've ever seen. Can anyone spot me about $20 million to pick this up?My God, this is really something.marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-24862496960578711652011-01-20T21:28:00.001-05:002011-01-20T21:30:03.307-05:00

Just a quick note - for those of you that like all trains made out of tin, go join the Marx Yahoo Group. The pics are really neat and the tinplate is colorful, lithographed and just plain fun (and they are ridiculously affordable).I know, a short post but worth the visit. I've been running some Marx lately and I'm not disappointed at all.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-11824942008013096492011-01-07T10:45:00.002-05:002011-01-07T10:48:28.350-05:00

Check out Mr. Kelly's wonderful new online magazine. I'm growing to love these Marklin trains more and more; Jim has a wonderful article on German Tinplate. He also has the REAL and whole story and several McKeens that have showed up in the last few months that are breathtaking and true works of art. Not trivial creations by any means.Go check it out HERE.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-56327325345037803062011-01-07T10:40:00.004-05:002011-01-07T10:44:41.619-05:00

Yes, I know we are all slaves to the tinplate master. However when you see something like this, you just have to scratch your head and think "how did they do that"? Check out this youtube. I gotta tell ya, youtube is great, there is no way (in the olden days of magazines and static pictures) that you could have gotten a sense of how awesome these trains are. The boom crane is really amazing.

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-48057157410857107582011-01-05T20:19:00.005-05:002011-01-05T20:28:52.549-05:00

That was fast. I really like some of the "out of box" thinking like the pink sets. The O gauge sets are absolutely fantastic. This catalog is outstanding. I'm impressed MTH. The choices in freight and traditional passenger cars is simply outstanding. Check out the catalog here.Definitely worth the wait.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-78646974155538170512011-01-01T17:31:00.002-05:002011-01-01T17:41:18.267-05:00

I was looking around the Tinplate and Marklin Forums last night and I saw this.... Possibly the largest Prewar Marklin collection there is. This is (from what I can tell from the forums) only one collector! And not all of the collection is being shown!This is currently on the 4th floor at Sotheby's in NYC. It's a closed sale, meaning that this probably will go to a very high roller. People

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-41779693309756523152010-12-31T23:42:00.003-05:002011-01-01T00:44:10.966-05:00

Stopped off at New England Toy Train today and took a few pics from the upcoming auction. Goodness for 2011. There's more coming!Some things we have to look forward to in 2011:Multiple York MeetsTwo new MTH CatalogsMTH delivering stuff from their 2010 catalogA couple of awesome SGMA showingsAnd some of the best prewar auctions in history!Any thoughts on new and exciting things for 2011?More

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-73399078264657202722010-12-26T18:06:00.003-05:002010-12-26T18:13:32.966-05:00

Every year around this time New York City does some really fun stuff around the holidays, particularly with the transit system. Yesterday was no exception; NYC Transit ran old subways and buses. No surprise, many of the riders liked the old stuff better (go figure)! Here is a fantastic Youtube...By the way, here is what driving around New York City in 1928 looked like (not a whole lot

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-19407401779849349822010-12-18T18:49:00.002-05:002010-12-18T18:49:00.652-05:00

Just checking out the tinplate forums and I came upon this Youtube Gem. The author states his wonderful layout takes him right back to a simpler time (1938). I really like the design and execution of this layout. I could sit for a mighty long time just watching these trains roll around (and I do on my own layout). Hope everyone is well this holiday season. Don't be bashful, send me some

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-45248534933360251622010-12-17T11:44:00.000-05:002010-12-17T11:44:00.364-05:00

Hi All,Hope your holidays are bringing you some fun with trains and time with your family. 2011 should be an interesting year for toy trains. Check out my second and last video for the Great Trains Return show going on in Wilton, CT. Today is the last day (Dec. 17th) of the show and not coincidentally, my brother's birthday and the day Tron comes out (again). Go figure. I'll try to jump to

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-52312050167166236552010-12-16T11:38:00.001-05:002010-12-16T11:38:00.927-05:00

A little Youtube of the wonderful layouts at the "The Great Trains Return".Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-64195597628889499252010-12-15T11:13:00.000-05:002010-12-15T11:13:00.580-05:00

Quite a few wonderful toys. Just to be forewarned, it does take some time to get to this place and you aren't going to spend 2 hours hanging out there. This is maybe a 1 hour excursion. It is very good for kids though, the larger layout is very low and easy for them to see. There isn't much interaction though. Still a very worthy little trip, especially if you live in the area.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-49946121154760997672010-12-14T11:21:00.001-05:002010-12-14T11:21:00.100-05:00

I think if Mike V had been around during the days of Ives, they may not have gone bankrupt! Heck, they might still be there! Is that that a sunset on Mike's shelf? I haven't seen that much orange in any collection!Mike can you at least do a Youtube or invite me over so I can do a Youtube of a couple of these running? Just gorgeous Mike, what a fantastic collection! Forgetting about the rest

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-83924317196968101572010-12-12T11:17:00.000-05:002010-12-12T11:51:51.406-05:00

Ya gotta love Mike's collection. From the wonderful way he displays it to the selection he has in it, it is just one of the best. Blow this thing up and take a look. Mike, nothing following that 1010 Interurban yet?Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-37401100830520038342010-12-12T10:56:00.005-05:002010-12-12T11:13:02.475-05:00

Wilton is a lovely little town not far from NYC off of Route 7 well into Connecticut (it isn't near the NYC border). Wilton has a ton of history and surprise, some of it is tied to trains! At the historicial society in Wilton there is a wonderful exhibit called "The Great Trains Return". There are several layouts as well as toys from various eras and a substantial amount of information on trains

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-13048063368851449632010-12-11T11:10:00.003-05:002010-12-11T11:17:06.021-05:00

My buddy Joe put this together after he saw the latest Jehu Garelick models at the TCA show in PA. Check out a standard gauge model. Manufacturers, please take notice: not every new standard gauge model needs to be a 400e or 408e.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-68252078411161166132010-12-06T06:43:00.000-05:002010-12-06T06:43:33.669-05:00

Lots of construction going on my layout recently. I'm building a No. 1 gauge level. But I finally got a chance to make a new video. Enjoy!

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-28962672080524255192010-11-15T21:37:00.002-05:002010-11-15T21:40:40.008-05:00

I just uploaded a quick Youtube video to start to pull us into the holiday spirit. This is my latest acquisition, a 1911. I put a few 10 series cars on it to see how well it will pull. It's really a fantastic little engine, way better than I could have imagined.The Flying Yankee looks like a snake winding around my layout. I would love to see some more youtubes of layouts. I'll post some

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-81081877240288278152010-11-11T23:14:00.001-05:002010-11-11T23:16:36.287-05:00

If you aren't on Facebook, this might be a good reason to join. Just check out this new station from MTH. They really do look different new!Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-4451119753372003682010-11-09T19:15:00.003-05:002010-11-09T19:28:40.642-05:00

So it looks like there is a new track manufacturer out there! USA Track LLC has launched an authentic line of standard gauge tubular track. Here is the info from USA Track's website:"USA Track LLC is a new company that bought all of the existing tooling and parts to make Standard Gauge track from EBR Products last year. We recently finished replenishing inventories of rails, ties, insulators

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-3611014593146502010-10-31T12:23:00.003-04:002010-10-31T12:29:56.740-04:00

It's November 1st on Monday and we are getting into the season for trains. How about this layout (it's pretty amazing).Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-20655593142980996612010-10-31T12:20:00.001-04:002010-10-31T12:21:38.788-04:00

Look past the Brutes and check out this layout. I'm going to see if I can find some more video of it. This layout is very impressive. Reminds me of Chuck Brasher's layout. I wish CTT would spend a few minutes writing about this kind of layout...

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-54799807628143731452010-10-31T12:11:00.002-04:002010-10-31T12:12:41.001-04:00

Just checking out some Youtube inbetween pumpkin carving and leaf blowing.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-57553952596532607662010-10-16T12:24:00.000-04:002010-10-16T12:26:11.092-04:00

This is the piece that Mr. Kovacs bought. I think his repro is pretty close.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-80175733744149840722010-10-13T16:23:00.007-04:002010-10-13T16:34:06.127-04:00

"Billy Budd" (Now the Days Inn & Suites) bandit meet, York, Pa. October 13.This is Paul Kovacs. He is making a beautiful and authentic reproduction of the early Garlick electric locomotive, complete with catenary!

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-70152817012304025732010-10-11T10:07:00.003-04:002010-10-11T10:11:06.892-04:00

Hit the above link to go Olson Displays and see this new accessory for Prewar layouts. This is absolutely brilliant. This is a prewar backdrop/mountain. It is actually only 4 inches thick and it is made to be place or mounted onto a layout to give that "wide open", mountainous look in a prewar style. This is something Lionel coulda, shoulda, woulda done but didn't. Thanksfully, Olson

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-22257511470641330492010-10-09T18:15:00.002-04:002010-10-09T18:19:40.802-04:00

Just moving around some 2 7/8's. I think I am going to make room for an overhead layout on my current layout. I think the Leland Detroit Monorail may have to come off. By the way, I thought I would drop a pic on of 2 McKeens. Both very different approaches by Dick Mayer to the same car. Either one is really cool (UP or Virginia and Truckee).Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-57242918467818139962010-10-09T18:10:00.001-04:002010-10-09T18:13:19.042-04:00

Hanging out at Citi Field watching the Mets the other day and I caught some neat shots of subways in Queens. Gotta love these. I wish Lionel or one of the other manufacturers made these in Standard Gauge....Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-77334014607759911012010-09-26T08:47:00.002-04:002010-09-26T08:51:06.142-04:00

This beautiful Ives White Set went for $16,500 yesterday at Stout. The condition of the set is remarkable, with the only major flaw being a medium sized flake on the engine cab. Some serious Ives collector has added a beautiful and rare set to his or her collection!

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-80349096442533343352010-09-24T22:34:00.004-04:002010-09-29T08:10:56.986-04:00

Hi All,Yet another gorgeous McKeen on eBay. It's at $1700 now. "Why so much?" you ask. Well, because there's a nice little doggy, dressed to the hilt that's eye'ing that fine prewar light post (and he needs a walk).No? How about because the above is a very accurate representation of the McKeen motor car and it is the only one. Need some market research MTH? Well, 24 bidders on eBay can't be that

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-72769716175989426722010-09-20T22:34:00.003-04:002010-09-20T22:35:23.625-04:00

Apparently the below bus come from none other than the great Harley Earl. This thing was amazing up close.For more amazing buses, click here.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-84027905169260640672010-09-19T12:22:00.005-04:002010-09-19T12:38:01.178-04:00

Hi Everyone,Was hanging out at the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) in Springfield, MA. yesterday. I spotted this amazing rig. There really wasn't anything on the inside except some kind of hefty power generator. The outside was really something though. I have to admit, I've never been on a Peter Pan bus but this might get me to ride one someday! I'd love to pull up to a train show in something

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-34940305877341534852010-09-05T10:27:00.019-04:002010-09-05T11:38:56.129-04:00

www.lipsonrobotics.comWhere do old train transformers drop their tusks and go to die? Well, they never really do. Hopefully the old parts find their way to a place like Lipson Robotics. I know that this is a bit off topic, however when I see something this cool and this amazing, my gut tells me to talk about it.I saw these robots when I was goofing around with Etsy. Etsy is an online store that

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-31826537375607822012010-08-30T14:06:00.004-04:002010-08-30T14:11:37.355-04:00

Here is the original Mountain railway that Tucher and Walther used for inspiration. From a German company called Doll and made in the 20's-30's. Lighthouse from the same people.

alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08697721143754631073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-11223534434379976602010-08-20T16:30:00.001-04:002010-08-20T16:34:13.821-04:00

Picked up this cute little Tucher and Walther Railway Gondola. I thought it looked more like one of those "transfer warehouses" from MTH. Whatever it is, I thought it was kind of neat. Has a little wheel on the other side to hitch up a little steam engine to make the cars go in and out of the buildings. Now I just have to make some layout space... Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-20291272605676832342010-08-19T21:01:00.002-04:002010-08-19T21:06:30.797-04:00

I always set this up when we do SGMA displays - it's a unique and very old Erector model that is partially home made. It probably dates from the 1930s based on the type of Erector parts used for the tower. Erector works great with Standard Gauge. I also collect Erector so I really appreciate the way the two work together.

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-11136199432251583012010-08-18T17:46:00.000-04:002010-08-18T17:46:54.145-04:00

I wanted a new standard gauge building however I also wanted something DIFFERENT. I've always wanted sky scrapers in standard gauge. So I goofed around on the web, did some research... Voila! I found this at Amazon.com for under $60! This is almost uniquely ideal for any standard gauge layout. It's all metal, it's the right color and style... A perfect weekend project for a budget conscious

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-37325339867392513812010-08-09T08:22:00.006-04:002010-08-09T08:43:04.796-04:00

I've actually been downsizing my Standard Guage collection during the past few years. I've sold off some big sets and a lot of single items, locos and cars. My interests have shifted toward early American 2 inch gauge and Marklin gauge 0 and gauge 1. With limited space (and a linited train budget) I have to concentrate on where my interests lie. Last winter I was about to part with my boxed AF "

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-66247924743724616372010-07-29T15:51:00.006-04:002010-07-29T16:17:12.896-04:00

Now that Joe Mania is reproducing Carlisle and finch trolley poles I finally have the ability to put an overhead wire on my layout. I chose the elevated line on my layout which is easier to access than the lower line, which has a tunnel. Putting the poles up and stringing the wire was pretty straightforward. But the poles are only half the battle. The other half is getting a sprung trolley

alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08697721143754631073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-57643974282654041982010-07-27T07:44:00.004-04:002010-07-27T07:53:22.244-04:00

Summer is a slow time for toy trains for me. But there are a few things happening that keep trains on my agenda. On the 0 Gauge RR tinplate forum, there is a great discussion thread about Ives trains. As my friend Rob pointed out, many of of the participants in the discussion are younger collectors, a good thing for the hobby. I've picked up a few treasures over the Spring and Summer monthes

Jim Kelly-Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920851683859490856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-21121119515115347972010-07-20T11:07:00.000-04:002010-07-20T11:07:00.142-04:00

Mike Miller sent me this neat pic of what it looks like to be in a Lionel roundhouse with an idling 408e. It's a rare shot and one with some serious imagination. I remember (when I was much younger) seeing a fully refurbished GE Electric Loco and cars in Grand Central. The funny thing is that this 408e in a roundhouse looks about the same! Very cool.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-15919693710814308002010-07-18T11:03:00.000-04:002010-07-18T23:06:40.736-04:00

Check out Clint Jefferies wonderful layout. This has a really neat story to it and is very unusual. Just click on the title of this post to go to Clint's website. I didn't check with him to see if I could post his pictures, thus I am going to leave all of the pics on his website and let everyone check them out for themselves. Really nice layout Clint! You are on to something special!Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-75927785344518438492010-07-18T07:01:00.002-04:002010-07-18T07:01:00.743-04:00

Went to the Connecticut Yankee Trainshow in Cromwell, CT yesterday. There was a l ittle bit of prewar, a TON of postwar. Couple of neat layouts. I took a few Youtbues if you want to see them. All O gauge stuff. Made me want to see the SGMA layout all the much more. Interestingly, there was NO and I mean NO Lionel Corporation stuff on the tables. Go figure.Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-51095086021264989392010-07-17T10:38:00.003-04:002010-07-17T10:44:14.757-04:00

Yes, I know the picture quality is mediocre. I've been under the gun all week from my job and I had a camera in my hand and a train on the track. The camera wasn't good and neither was the light. And as you can tell, my train room is THRASHED. However I do like the Pride Lines Bungling Bros. train. Not sure of how many of these were produced. I've never seen another train like it. The

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-39937436406090579292010-07-15T11:52:00.003-04:002010-07-17T19:09:05.460-04:00

Folks, please remember, this is (as far as I know), the only Standard Gauge Blog. I recently was pelted with a couple of email notes for "automated updates" from the standard gauge blog (which the site already does). When I went out to check, someone had created a "ghost" of my website.This was an attempt to get web traffic at my expense. Now for me, I don't do this for money, I do it because I

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-24336828522618781432010-07-14T12:03:00.003-04:002010-07-14T12:04:34.804-04:00

I just liked this pic and had to post it (part of the Strasburg RailRoad).Marc

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665658.post-41938837599505503752010-07-14T11:32:00.001-04:002010-07-17T19:09:27.176-04:00

This just goes past random goodness and is well into the realm of random greatness.

Standard Gauge Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12580532948851213149noreply@blogger.com0