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Posted - August 11 2021 : 10:19:51 PM
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Got my first piece back in '75, while visiting Wales- an extraordinary land of rugged beauty. Had that piece for many years, until the #$#$ movers threw it away in '91. I was madder than a hop, having carefully kept that piece over many, many thousands of miles of moves. I searched vainly for decades, even after I learned how to use the internet, which was a new invention, at the time, but never could find one, ever. Then, quite by luck one turned up, I snatched it, and then two more popped up on eBay and I grabbed those, just because they were a little different. I keep picking these pieces up in odd places, an El Paso junk shop had a good one, and here is a few of my favorite Electrotren pieces. They are Spanish. Some were made for 3 rail, so to adapt them to two rail a thin layer of Super Glue over the treads did the trick nicely.

Looks like sacks of onions, but it's a fertilizer load.

Why in the world a load of sticks? I am guessing a load destined for a charcoal kiln?

Wine casks. Ok,then.

A crate of crystal. Better keep this away from the Island of Sodor and the Troublesome Trucks.

And my three faves, the olive oil amphorae wagons. Olive oil wasn't transported in clay vessels since the Bronze Age, so this quirky load really got my goat back in '75. The Romans, especially, used these things for transporting foodstuffs, on barges and ships.
Edited by - Chops124 on August 11 2021 10:21:24 PM
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Posted - August 11 2021 : 10:36:14 PM
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Is it safe having a crate of crystal around those high-pitched British train whistles? If an opera singer in high C can crack one, surely those piercing whistles could.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - August 11 2021 : 10:52:14 PM
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Those clay pots make a whimsical load, but I couldn’t help noticing there’s a guy in the background with some mad balancing skills!
Glenn
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 12:13:57 AM
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Yeah, he's got his lean on.
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 12:14:42 AM
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quote:Is it safe having a crate of crystal around those high-pitched British train whistles? If an opera singer in high C can crack one, surely those piercing whistles could. 
Originally posted by scsshaggy - August 11 2021 : 10:36:14 PM
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You got it, Shags!!
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 08:31:38 AM
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In Electrotren I have only a few cars. One is very special a Transformer transporter. frank
toptrain
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 10:20:20 AM
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That transformer car is impressive Frank! Is it a foreign prototype?
Glenn
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 12:35:25 PM
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What a monster. Wonder how the economics of this thing works: you use it once in a blue moon, but then you have to park it, maintain it, and tie up space for it?
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Posted - August 12 2021 : 12:51:14 PM
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quote: 
What a monster. Wonder how the economics of this thing works: you use it once in a blue moon, but then you have to park it, maintain it, and tie up space for it?
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â August 12 2021Â :Â 12:35:25 PM
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Why do you think your power bills are so high?
Glenn
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Posted - August 13 2021 : 01:44:50 AM
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Because I run so much Tyco?
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Posted - August 13 2021 : 02:46:37 AM
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Glenn
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 12:46:10 AM
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A Lesney Caliope arrived today. I will add some stay wires, and perhaps some chocks.
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 08:10:43 AM
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Wheel chocks would definitely look good.
Glenn
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 10:11:43 AM
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quote: 
A Lesney Caliope arrived today. I will add some stay wires, and perhaps some chocks.
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â August 20 2021Â :Â 12:46:10 AM
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that's a showman's road locomotive, not a calliope
a calliope is a pipe organ
this has the generator on front that was used to supply electricity for the lights and rides at a traveling carnival/fair
was also used to pull the wagons to and from the rail station to a fairgrounds area
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 11:51:08 AM
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yeah & its technically a Traction Engine or what we'd call in USA a steam tractor here are some in action in England https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXh-evRHkhM
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 12:23:46 PM
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Locally we have an antique farm and mechanical exhibit called Rough and Tumble in Kinzers, PA.
Here's a video that highlights the old steam engine tractors and all kinds of mechanical fun.
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 3:11:40 PM
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Thank you, guys! I am, however, improving. At least I did not call it an F Unit. Those who know me, know that I can barely tell a steam locomotive from a Model T.
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Posted - August 20 2021 : 11:34:17 PM
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OK, just to show you I'm not entirely asleep at the switch, I have installed some 4x4's to prevent the Showman's Road Locomotive from rolling away, and stay wires on the sphynx. Also, not shown, installed the pilot hand rails on the 4-4-4. I have since learned the accordion thingy is called a "communications bellow."

Yikes, going to have to do something about those glue stains.
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Posted - December 03 2021 : 9:58:32 PM
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I have been lightening my overstock of North American stuff and am dipping my toe further into the Jouef and Electrotren pool.


Picked up two more of these Jouef double deck tourist coaches to make a triad for those in search of the Loch Ness Monster. The prototypes were on some French tropical island. No, not Devil's.

Electrotren have some of the most curious loads, on their open wagons. I am amused at these crates labed "Fragile," and yet they are scattered around haphazardly on an open gondola that is sure to beat the Heck out of them. Reminds me a bit of the infamous lamp scene in "Home Alone," where father sees the wooden crate marked "Fragile," and says, "oh, 'fragilee,' this must be from Italy!"
Edited by - Chops124 on December 03 2021 10:07:15 PM
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Posted - December 04 2021 : 11:55:46 AM
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either thats a foreign language or the E is missing on "fragile"
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Posted - December 04 2021 : 9:46:49 PM
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Neat cars!
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Posted - December 05 2021 : 01:35:00 AM
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quote:either thats a foreign language or the E is missing on "fragile" 
Originally posted by microbusss - December 04 2021 : 11:55:46 AM
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Good eye, Ben! I had not noticed that! I imagine it is Spanish.
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Posted - December 05 2021 : 7:08:23 PM
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From the climactic scene in the movie "Planet of the Apes.":
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Posted - December 05 2021 : 10:23:12 PM
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