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 Posted - May 12 2011 : 7:48:55 PM
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Hi people,
My name is Jose and I am from Argentina (I think I'm the first one in this forum from here)
I am in the middle 30s now and just a couple of years ago I started a slow return to the world of model railroading.
I started back in the 80's when due to my interest in trains I started to buy a spanish magazine about model trains, I got fascinated, and I still have most of those magazines. At that time, the low budget of a kid, together with expensive the hobby was (and is still here) made so hard for me to get my own model train... but finally got one, not a Tyco (sorry!) but a Life-Like set with the 0-4-0 (it was al old stock new set, the only one they had in the shop, to give you an Idea it costed like the same of one month of rent for an appartment at that time)
I was so excited with my new traing that didn't read any instructions (having read so many issues of that magazine I felt myself an expert - also I could read english at that time too well neither) so I just connected the train and the loco didn't move but very slowly...Since I haven't read about the break in period I dismantle the little loco (I told you I had the idea that I knew what I was doing) to "fix it".... luckly I was able to put it back together and it run, but it was an ill fated locomotive anyways...
Just some days after I have bought it, I had set-it up on the dinning room table (on both sides of the table part of the curve were "in the air" as the table was not wide enough  ... train was on the track.... i went there to plug the power pack to the wall.... but cable was too short, let me pull a little.... and BANG the power track, together with my train went to the floor... and my poor 0-4-0 lost it's front coupler and some of the step went into pieces..... It never was the same...
Well, eventually the loco survived for some time, but I never add anything else to my train, having to assemble it on my bedroom floor everytime was really dissapointing. last thing I remember was painting the loco to make it more "realistic"... Did I used a brush? nop... I dip the loco into the paint (just the shell, I was not that idiot yet)... anyway, I think the paint was so thick that if the loco is somewhere it is still getting its paint drying.
As I told at the beginning of this long thread, I returned to model railroad, after that kind of bitter experience, two years ago, I started buying N stuff this time, but then, I found my old caboose (yeah from that first old set) and I loved the size of an H0 model, so I started to sell the N stuff I had got and started to get H0 again.
And thats how I got into my hands a Mantua Tyco F9a and I discover the brand, and simply love it!
Well, if you had read my whole story... Thanks! I had to tell it :D
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Member Since: April 22 2011 ~
Last Visit: February 19 2013
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Posted - May 13 2011 : 05:25:34 AM
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hi jose nice story,glad you like the tyco/mantua locos,you will find lots of listings to read about them,plus do not be afraid to ask questions someone will reply,good luck and welcome,ken
ps remember as members live in different time zones,your messages or postings may not be seen by all quickly,so please be patient for answers.
Edited by - catfordken on May 13 2011 06:04:55 AM
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Posted - May 13 2011 : 11:59:07 AM
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Welcome Jose !
Good luck with your modeling.As to the acident, your not alone there. Most people here have witnesed, no helplessly watched, a train set flying to the floor. I am blesed and have seen a few of them.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on May 13 2011 12:03:49 PM
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Posted - May 13 2011 : 10:41:51 PM
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quote:Welcome Jose !
your not alone there. Most people here have witnesed, no helplessly watched, a train set flying to the floor.
frank
Originally posted by toptrain - May 13 2011 : 11:59:07 AM
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Ha, at my modular club functions, we have an archway bridge, so the old guys ( me included ), don't have to bend down ( ie, Limbo ) under the 38 inch high layout to get under. Well, on more than one occasion, people haven't watched for trains coming, open up the bridge, step thru and then BAM! off drops a train to the floor. Usually a nice unit, not a toy quality piece. Last month had a guy running a superfast 40-year old German Blimp train with propeller on the back, neat vintage piece, a club member's wife opened the bridge, and held it up...around comes the engine and Wham! Off onto the floor. Never did find all the propeller pieces. Luckily the vintage engine held up and the plastic prop was the only damage.
Glad to hear you're still interested in trains. If you need any used Tyco, I can send you some. Would be interesting to see what the postage to Argentina would be from the USA east coast at Parcel Post rates.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - May 14 2011 : 08:55:52 AM
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Hi people,
Thanks for your welcome!
I have to add that all the locos and rolling stock I have now (apart from the remains of my old first caboose and a Swift boxcar also from that original set) were all bought at Eb*y (not sure if it is ok to name it, sorry) and 95 % came from the US as prices here in Argentina are totally crazy, just to give you an example, an Mantua-Tyco F9 here, in good shape, costs around USD 30 to USD 40. With that same money I found bargains on the net and can get the same loco plus 5 or 6 cars and the shippment to Argentina. I always try to use First Class Airmail, for a package like the set I described above can cost like USD 25. Using that there is less risk of getting caught at the custom office (in which case you have to go there and pay 50% of the value declared in the customs form attached to the box, unless it is less than USD 20, in which case they let it pass). When shipped Priority Mail, it always go to the customs office, and it depends on how good was the customs agent`s day may or not let me go for free. Is SO random...
I see there is a trade forum here, a pitty is closed :(
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Posted - May 14 2011 : 10:09:09 AM
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hi littlejoe,the trade forum is closed while new rules are put in place for the benefit of members,todd the owner of site is a busy man,as soon as he can i would imagine,reopen that place up, ken
but on the good side members will by now know you are in market for items they will i am sure contact you
Edited by - catfordken on May 14 2011 10:10:10 AM
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Posted - May 14 2011 : 11:39:05 AM
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Posted - May 14 2011 : 10:42:39 PM
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Welcome aboard Jose!!
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Posted - August 31 2011 : 12:29:02 AM
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Hi Jose, Welcome tot he site. I am also new and can't wait to read all of the topics on this board.
Saludos.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
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Posted - August 31 2011 : 06:47:09 AM
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Hello Jose:
Train took the infamous vetical spur huh...
well as I mentioned to our other new fella I am about to sell some Tyco off to clear out for a move in January so keep your eyes posted in case you see something you want....
So what are your favourite locomotives real and HO Scale? Remember to post lots of pics of either.
Welcome aboard!
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
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