Big Indoor Trains

A Lionel 2036 from 1950:



Another project, as this one needs some motor work (the wheels don't track properly). Still, a decent example of the postwar boiler-style that was produced in various configurations and colors until 1969.

Not official postwar, but an MPC-era reissue of the postwar F3 in the Southern Pacific's Daylight scheme:



From 1983, this is new-old-stock found locally, not a mark on it (the box has a bit shelf-wear. I plan to use it as a head-end alternative for the MTH Bantam Daylight set that we have. Might look weird matched up with the shorter passenger cars (rather than a set of aluminum streamliners), but we'll find out.

That's a nice looking unit! When you get your consist hooked up, add a photo, please!

paulrace wrote: Sun Dec 29, 2024 8:14 am That's a nice looking unit! When you get your consist hooked up, add a photo, please!

Here you go, Paul; from her first run after 41 years in storage, the newly acquired Lionel F3 takes the point on the Coast Daylight:



These MTH "Daylight" coaches look pretty good with this single F3, albeit a short train. I have a "full" dome car which I dislike and rarely use, and I don't have a regular coach for the set (something to look for). I do have a K-line REA boxcar that I sometimes cut in, but not in this photo.

Anyway, a Lionel F3 from 1983 that has sat untouched until tonight. I'm pleased with it.

Hope all here have a terrific New Year and a productive 2025.

Using a badly worn Lionel 2037 and a pile of bits, we cobbled together a 2037-500:



Other than some issues with the paint we used, this was a fun project. Paul over at TrainWorx was super-helpful in sorting out what parts we needed.

Never had much interest in one of these, but then a new granddaughter turned up. We'll see if she shows any interest.

Picked up a couple of 6464's off eBay:



Like new without boxes, they are nice. The 510 starts the build out of a Girl's Train; the 525 just came with it. Less than thirty bucks all in for the pair. These are repops from 1999.

There are folks that have devoted a sizable chunk of their collection bandwidth to the 6464-series and all of the variations. It can be an impressive sight, let me tell ya.

A friend of mine, hearing of my effort to assemble a variation of the Lionel "Girl's Train", contributed this modern-era production 6424:



Catalogued in 2003 or 2004, it's a bit ghastly, but it adds a bit of play-value. We're grateful for his charity, lol.