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 Posted - October 05 2013 : 2:42:09 PM
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http://www.tcamembers.org/standards/Restoration%20Grading%20Standards.pdf
I took the time to read through some of the information put out by this association and, aside from the cool photographs in the above linked presentation, there seems to be some food for thought about how this might influence some of the decisions we make about what to do with our model train collections. I know Ken has said he wants his locomotives in a certain condition to pass on to his children, and I've seen someone discussing restoring Tyco paint schemes; I think the information in the above link might interest some folks here and maybe start an interesting discussion. I know I've seen some really junk locomotives on eBay that somehow have commanded what seem to be top dollars. Anyway, I'll be interested to see what folks have to say. It is 49 pages, but it's a quick read and, again, nice photos. Best regards, Barry
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Posted - October 05 2013 : 6:58:43 PM
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I suspect that ebay sales are higher than normal train shows due to some excessive enthusiasm by buyers. I haven't really thought much about TCA, as it's usually large scale, and not in my general realm of collecting, and they seem to be rather sticky about people coming to their big East Coast show unless you are a member or signed in by one, you can't come. Bleah. And they don't want you taking pictures at their show, either. Pffft. Don't need'em. Maybe it might be good reading for some info , though. Anything pertaining to smaller scales?
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 05 2013 : 7:32:16 PM
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| Hey Jerry, I'm not particularly in to becoming part of that association. I just thought it was interesting in a couple of ways. Certainly rigid considerations. And kit-bashing is fun. For myself, a person presently addicted to modeling, and generally continually striving to become more competent, I'm thinking . . . well if I'm going to spend 90 hours rebuilding a locomotive ("fire that jerk, he's too damn slow!"); there's a whole bunch of people that have done it before. Actually, I ended up looking at this site to find any tips they might present for preserving metal. As it turns out, I believe they suggested clear coat for that and for preserving flaking paint finishes. As far as those locos on eBay, I will have to admit I'm one of the "over-enthusiastic buyers". I'm [re]new to the hobby and have ants in my pants to do everything overnight, you know. So I guess, my interest, bottom-line, was do they have any preservation or restoration "tips". Probably, a lot of what they presented is what they didn't like. Maybe, limited usefulness as food for thought when buying, restoring, or selling.
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Posted - October 05 2013 : 9:01:21 PM
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Hey, nothing wrong with enthusiasm, it greases the hobby to a great degree sometimes. My enthusiasm is usually reserved for creativity with my HO trains, making a new or different item or fixing up something in a different or unique way. One reason I like BL-2 engines, jet-powered RDC's, Hi-railers, and other interesting railroading hardware. Personally I don't have much interest in restoring as I do in fixing, or at least saving something original. But not unwilling to change something for the sake of something different being created. My train shop owner asked why I wasn't more into O gauge, I said Space and Money. I can have 10 HO engines for the space 1 O gauge will take up! And no room to run O-gauge at my small house, only 0-27, and it's not conducive to Garden Railroading, either. I have many beaten and battered HO pieces, some will be fixed, others modified and creatively re-constructed into something new. :) Eventually. My available energy doesn't match the enthusiasm I have for my creativity.  I will just enjoy the hobby at the pace I can maintain. Post some of your projects, I'd like to see what you are restoring.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 08 2013 : 12:10:40 AM
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Hey Jerry, Here's an example of my over-enthusiasm
After seeing some forum members post photos of their tank switchers, the idea of a little locomotive that carried it's own fuel without having to drag a tender along sounded pretty cool. And, I don't really have any structures on my "layout" (if you could call it that), so I thought I might try and paint and fix up that water tank. I'll post photos to show how it's coming along (nothing's been delivered yet). eBay (got to quit that habit) for $30. Whose a fool, hey?
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Posted - October 08 2013 : 07:35:01 AM
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quote:Hey Jerry, Here's an example of my over-enthusiasm
After seeing some forum members post photos of their tank switchers, the idea of a little locomotive that carried it's own fuel without having to drag a tender along sounded pretty cool. ... eBay (got to quit that habit) for $30. Whose a fool, hey?
Originally posted by Barry - October 08 2013 : 12:10:40 AM
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With Ebay, I'm a BIG fool! YOu can find anything there that you might never run across anywhere else. I love those little yard tankers, being self-sufficient, they're pretty cool little monsters. I have more than a few of them myself.  Having a duplex monster might be nice, but I have no room to run one, and enjoy the smaller engines over the large long-distance ones usually. Although I just bought a N&W J engine from BLI, my first engine with sound.  Nice little caboose you got there, too. I think I even have that water tower myself.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 13 2013 : 2:05:32 PM
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Hey Jerry, The package arrived. I think the locomotive is basically good (heavy; weighs in at over 11 ounces), but . . . I discovered a split driving wheel, so the $30.00 bargain . . . the water tower has some detail pieces that didn't show up in the photo, but no "spout" . . . the caboose is really in need of rehab and also interesting Mantua construction that I hadn't seen before; not that I'm well versed in such. Anyway, I'll post a few photos after I've worked on this stuff a bit. Regards, Barry
  
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Posted - October 14 2013 : 7:02:46 PM
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So . . . avoiding all the things I should be doing, I spent time taking apart the Revell water tank/tower that came with the eBay purchase. This is a water tank that was made to accompany a water spout that comes from the ground close to the track, and not from the tank itself. It must have been glued by a first-time modeler with big drops of that stuff we use to squirt out of a tube (before inhaling it became popular). Anyway, it came apart and after a little knife scraping, it might "pass" once painted. I did put a little paint on the tank itself (sort of yellow ochre and a little gray for the level indicator). Some of the parts glued on the side of this were not from the kit, but may be useful; short stair, half-open door, wood chest. Anyway, just for show and tell, you know. Regards, Barry
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 12:48:30 AM
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Well, this is what I've come up with as far as rehabbing that Revell Water Tank . . .
    
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 1:46:29 PM
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Looks pretty nice. I believe that earlier on this thread someone mentioned that this tower was designed to feed a free-standing water column. In case it's helpful, here are a couple photos of one:
 
I didn't have any shots of the whole thing, but the two shots should give the general impression.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 4:03:21 PM
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| Thanks Shaggy. Good photos. Yeah, I need to do something about that "seam" that shows up on the tank (since I changed the ladder position and the ladder wont cover it now).
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 4:05:32 PM
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This is good info BUT its very few times you see the sort of items they posted from the TCA.....Notice, no HO in there? Nothing at all, nothing but tin plate stuff, sure some of us collect it but maybe some techniques will help with restoring HO stuff that's old but......Otherwise, we a lot of times in HO make the item or items as we see fit.
Interesting tho none-the-less....I didn't read ALL of it either as it seems focused on tinplate.....
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 9:03:55 PM
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| I agree about the applicability to what most of us are doing in HO. Though I've seen some tinplate HO stuff that I might go for someday.
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