What trains do you use with your putz?

healey36 · Post by **healey36** » Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:02 am

paulrace wrote:Paul, those are ridiculously charming, especially the first two! They look good with your village structures, too. Thanks for posting.

Thanks, Paul. I think they kinda fit with the putz village concept, but an electric train will work just as well. I have an American Flyer (#3196) that is basically an electrified wind-up, about the same size. Next time it's out, I'll post a few pics.

Paul Too

healey36 · Post by **healey36** » Sat May 18, 2024 8:24 am

A recent project has been the repair/refurbishment of an American Flyer set that belonged to my grandfather (seen here on the basement layout). The "Suburban", the least expensive set made by Flyer during 1926-1927, was purchased new for use around the family Christmas tree and the "garden" assembled beneath it. The set was found packed away in the basement of the house, and like many that were stored in damp cool places, it suffered some serious corrosion damage. Easily able to navigate the tightest radius of three-rail curves, it is a good set for a cardboard Christmas:

These toys are typically pretty resilient...a good cleaning and a bit of lubrication will typically see them back in action. However, despite much work by myself and my good friend Don Carver, this little 1096 locomotive is running poorly. It will be returning to the workbench soon for another round of "diagnostics" and cleaning, hopefully to regain good running order.

Paul R. II

healey36 · Post by **healey36** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 1:22 pm

I haven't built enough 1/4-inch scale cardboard houses yet to replace the old ceramic pieces we've been using for years, but we're getting there. In the meantime, this is the under-tree set-up for 2024, featuring a Lionel 290E set from 1936:

The Old Man always used rolls of brick paper/fabric skirting around his displays. I found a corrugated paper version which we trimmed down and thumb-tacked to the round platform. Worked well...I figure he's smiling down from somewhere.

Hope everyone has a terrific Christmas!

healey36 · Post by **healey36** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 1:28 pm

Speaking of a terrific Christmas, Howard and I put together a nice train set for a pair of great little girls for 2024. I dropped it off last week; folks asked if the girls would go for trains...well, it was like ducks to water:

Hopefully they have a lot of fun before the iPads/cell-phones/video games kick in.

Merry Christmas Rosie and Lucy!