Model Train Journal

This is a thread that can probably be tossed soon. I was out at the storage unit today and got to looking through a box labeled, Old Kits. Seems to be fairly accurate. I believe these are late '40s to early '50s.

The Van's is pretty rough and may, or may not be complete. Not instructions......shoot I probably gave'em away.

The sway backs were popular way back when. I also believe we can thank John Allen for that phenomenon.

Like the Robicos, probably headed for ebay.

Jay

Here's the Van's. Can barely call that a box. Possibly complete, sans instructions.

Jay

Jay -- Thanks for posting those photos. The express reefer is of particular interest. About four years ago a pair of PFE express reefers of unknown origin wandered into the shop. They were numbered the same and looked the same so I assumed they were. They have the same number as your Van's kit, but when I looked at the first one I noticed the lettering was different ("Express Refrigerator" on two rows):


But the second one has the same lettering as your Van's ("Express Refrigerator" on one row):


Funny what you don't see that is right in front of your nose.

I have a Van's SP caboose that is pretty cool, and I have seen one or two kits go by on eBay, but I really don't know that much about them. I am hoping some other reader here will give your kit a good home, but let me know if nobody shows an interest.

Jim

Nice, that sway-belly looks interesting.

I have at least two of those hoppers built up that I got from the Harry Roberts auction what seems a million years ago....

I have a couple of these kits. One is a hopper and one a flat with load. I had no idea what they were as far as who made the kit. Bought them of Ebay a while back. Glad to know more about them. Well I figured the photo posting thing out I guess. It looks like my cars have the same type of arch bar trucks that the kit that Jay posted has.

Phil,

Maybe it's just me but I can't open them.

Jay

Same with me.

BH

Nor I.

Me too neither.

Also here; plus, it wants me to login to Google first.

Went back out to the storage unit and looked in the box labeled "Keepers" and found a couple of Lobaugh kits. Looks like a 65' mill gon and a nice 50' express reefer kit (prepainted sides for North Western Refrigeration). I don't think either is particularly old. One says Los Angeles so it's probably from Jack Campbell's time. The express reefer may be older.

The I found a really old one. It was made by American Modelcraft Co. It is a model of an 1870's combine. All the wood is balsa. I got it to go with it's sister which is the coach. Very light obviously but just right to go behind my CP Huntington. Years ago I, like many of you, built stick & tissue model airplanes so getting the balsa sealed and smooth really isn't a problem. I think I'll keep the AMCO combine and unload the Lobaughs.

Jay

All things Lobaugh now go through Art Hayes. I have not asked him if he has found a MoPac Mountain.

Here are the reefer sides. Everything points to this one being from San Fransisco.

I think a fairly decent car could be made with the kit.

Jay

Not a kit but a set of interesting trailing trucks side frames. Way heavier than Lobaugh (there were a couple of those too but they weren't nearly as interesting). The red is just layout dye.

Any clue what these are?

Jay