Spring 2023 Vintage Store Train Finds. Awesome Stuff!!

Spent 2 days roaming thru 7 Vintage & Antique stores looking for the Coolest Railroad Models and Memorabilia.
#classicmodeltrains
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Mailing Address: Classic Model Trains
1507 Old Hardin Road
Billings, Mt. 59101
@classicmodeltrains
My second channel mentioned link below.
@RonsClassicRVs

[@casstelles]

Date nails are normally installed in railroad ties to know when the railroad tie was installed. The newest date nail that I found along the old Erie Lackawanna in Lima, OH was around 1954 with other date nails in the 1930's and 1940's around WWII.

[@adventuresinmodelrailroading]

There's a group of nailheads that come to Marceline, MO, every other year for their National Convention. They also bring a lot of other railroad memorabilia to sell.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the information :-)

[@allanegleston4931]

there are some power poles in front of my apartment and the date pins on some of them are circa 1912. elope.

[@trainman5603]

Casstellas is correct. They are put into wooden crosswise to indicate the date a tie was laid. Naturally with weather and age the tie might need replacement. With steel reinforced concrete crossties the practice is no longer used.

[@trainman5603]

Castellon is correct

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Nice haul.👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@vferrante6436]

lionel 6557 smoking caboose great buy..very collectable and tough to find.. gotta love the cow on track .too bad the boxes were gone

[@classicmodeltrains]

Seems I hardly ever get the boxes. Dang it!!

[@Zebrails]

9:10 yellow/green six dome tank car!!! I would be broke in them stores, my wallet with too many strokes. John

[@classicmodeltrains]

That is a cool tanker! Strokes? like heart issues? Oh Man! Im sorry to hear that :-(

[@Zebrails]

@@classicmodeltrains On the wallet... Strokes. Stroke open too many times. 😅 John

[@franktino6676]

Ron, about 2 years or so ago, I saw a couple of AF 19B transformers in good working condition with the seller illustrating strong voltage output- selling for $125 to $ 175 dollars each. So you got yourself a good deal here.👈🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Frank. Yup I figured a good one would be in about that price range. Thanks for the confirmation :-)

[@blackhillsandeasternrailroad]

Looks a little like a Pickers episode! Fun stuff! I fantasize regularly about going through junk shops and finding gems. Usually it is overpriced junk that I run into.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I find a lot of overpriced junk also. Every once in a while a deal can be found :-)

[@n4pwx]

Wonderful video Ron. Thanks my friend.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching!!

[@ecidaho]

Great score Ron! I have kinda stalled out on restorations at the moment, lost the mojo. I need to clean a bunch of S scale track and a few locos, have one like your CNW Pacific. Getting ready for a trip gonna take Amtrak in a big circle from Salt Lake to Chicago, Twin Cities, then thru Portland (don’t want to stop there) to San Francisco ( maybe don’t wan to stop there either) and back to Salt Lake. Take care and again all the best!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

sorry to hear your stalled out on resto's. Hopefully not burned out. That train trip sounds amazing. sounds like a 4-5 day trip? should help get some fresh juices flowing!!

[@elleryparsons2433]

Holy Cow I Am Losing My Mind my Friend And I Would Have A Field day there.

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@johnbanicki7232]

Great video! I never find stuff like that when I go to the antique stores.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John. This trip was a rarity with the amount of stuff found.

[@SleeperBBQ]

nice haul

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@MygrandpasTrain]

Looks like you found some good stuff there! Will be looking forward to see your American Flyer diesel repairs. If it's a single motor it shouldn't be too bad, sometimes the dual motors don't always play nice. That first dealer had Marx HO! I've not been able to find that New Haven Marx, been looking for one- had one as a kid. And a Westinghouse HO spotlight car with generator might be Gilbert HO! I'd come over to his store to buy them, but it's kind of a long walk from my place.... :)

[@classicmodeltrains]

I want to go back and get them Marx F units and that spotlight car, plus a few others...... Owner wanted to clean them up a bit and research them so he don't accidentally sell a diamond for pennys.

[@johnramirez5996]

I picked up that same Christmas train set for $50. It has 2 Xtra cars and 2 expansion track sets. Did a little maintenance and it completely worked. Someone broke my tender which is the power to the whole set. Picked another 1 up cheaply. And back to business. Only thing it didn't come with was box. Still in beautiful shape

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on!!

[@joshuacampbell9990]

Man you have some great places to go pick!! That first one I would have went broke with the Lionel and Marx stuff!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I was trying to buy stuff, but he had not put prices on a lot of it yet. Yup I could have drained my wallet there for sure :-)

[@elleryparsons2433]

My Friend And I Could Spend A Weekend there that Place Is Awsome.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Some of these stores are over 30,000 sq feet

[@billclark81]

Thank you for the video. I grew up in Montana playing around with trains and playing around with the tracks. Fun video.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Bill!

[@darrellnorton2208]

That basement and my wallet would have been a bad combination 😂. Don't have anywhere like that in the UK that I'm aware of.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yes, Have to have lots of extra cash to go wandering around the second hand stores. Where do you find old used trains out in the U.K.?

[@kensbackshop6399]

That flyer 19B transformer is a 300 watt and goes for $64 in good condition and $140 in excellent condition in the 2021 greenbergs price guide

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the good info there Ken!!

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

GREAT Video. Had no idea Billings was the Antique Model Train capital. Going to be up in Missoula around Aug first, just might have to persuade the Mrs. to drive over for a day.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Lynn. If your pulling a camper I can put ya up for the night

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

@@classicmodeltrains No Camper for us, when wife and I met she told be "Roughing it meant No Chocolate on the pillow".

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

There's that red&white looking good bro. Trucks n Trains

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@thomasmoroney4993]

Great content…your videos are great watch..

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!!

[@azmike1]

Some great stuff in those stores! Decent prices. Loved the video! Thanks!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@kennethljungberg642]

Hello Ron, Thanks a lot for videos. I got 4 Amtrak locomotives today, 2 Spectrum F 40, 2 Athearn F diesels. One F 40 did not run, so I clenan it up. Now it runs and blinking light on roof. Kenneth

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Kenneth, Receiving trains is a always a good day

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

A lot of great restoration work ahead -- thanks for bringing us along on the safari!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! Got some more stuff to whoop into shape !

[@a2020vision_official]

I actually had a copy of that "Antique locomotives coloring book" at 18:08 when I was a bit younger.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I had a huge old book that showed how to draw locomotives.

[@SantaFeBob]

Great antique shopping. You did really good. Thank you for taking us along and keeping it real. I love uncensored videos. Lol

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks SF Bob!!

[@BrunoHöhl-r9d]

Hi, for your Windows just use some Plastic Foil. Clue and stretch it, it will Work and fix the Haedlight. Bruno

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the tip!

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

Dang it! I always miss out on updated videos, this one is for the Vault....Good Job very interesting.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks :-)

[@marklinzeit]

The Bachman N-scale Jupiter flashbacks - hilarious!!😵

[@classicmodeltrains]

It still haunts my dreams :-D

[@slgiant]

The Lord Of The Isles certainly caught my eye. I am mostly an OO gauge Triang guy, still have my original set from about 1957. I was able to pick up one online a while back in good shape and one not so good, both with tenders. HO will run on my OO track so I do have some HO, all DC. If you are in Montana I am just to the north of you.

[@classicmodeltrains]

That Lord of the Isles certainly catches a few Fellers eye's. Its waiting its turn for a video to be made about it. Yup im in the Montana area. Billings to be exact.

[@johnmalley4355]

That was way cool, I really enjoyed the video. Good stuff... Thanks Ron

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John for watching :-)

[@franktino6676]

Ron, those Lionel City Tractor Trailers are 1/48 scale; The PCC street cars were made by Corgi and are 1/50 scale and I recall reading somewhere? ( maybe in Classic Toy Trains Magazine) a few years back- how some guys out west- California ? , motorized them and were running them on 0 gauge track, I believe. Also, "New Bright " is : (officially New Bright Industrial Co., Ltd.) which is an American toy manufacturer specializing primarily in radio-controlled vehicles headquartered in Wixom, Michigan. Years ago, in the 1970's and on into the 1990's, they were making Battery operated toy fire trucks with all the siren sounds, flashing lights, and numerous other vehicles before graduating into battery powered toy plastic trains to put under the "tree." New Bright sold their products by me in the "east" in old icon stores such as K-Mart, Kaydee Toys, Toys R Us, etc.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for this great information Frank!!!

[@williamsantangelo]

Thank You Ron, cool stuff! Be well!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching!!

[@bfmcarparts]

32:17 they are pole identification tags (telephone/telegraph) used until the late 1960s. Later they found it cheaper to brand or burn the numbers onto the poles

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the good info!!

[@rickdee67]

I love what you are doing on your channel! U seem like a pretty cool guy 🤜🏼🤛🏻

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Rick. I'm actually a introverted nerd with no social skills (he he :-)

[@ronalddevine9587]

FYI, those American Flyer couplers are called link couplers. That 19B transformer is a TREASURE. No other transformer puts out 300 watts in a single throttle. The dead man throttle must be down and clicked into place. When you bring it down to the lowest voltage setting, it still sends about 4.5 volts so the E unit doesn't trip. When you lift the throttle up, it kills all voltage to the track. Check the cord for cracks, replace if needed. I usually go to Home Depot and buy an extension cord for the home and cut off the female end. Usually less than 2 bucks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Link couplers Yup. I just had a brain fart while videoing. Thanks for the GREAT info on that 19B. I had no idea why the handle lifted up :-)

[@GarrettTaylorLeedy]

Looks like you got yourself a lot of good projects and a lot of good equipment. Nice American flyer equipment and other locomotive you picked up in some nice o scale equipment as well

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! Was a petty good couple of days!!

[@lawrenceechols6453]

As always nice job Ron thank you

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Lawrence :-)

[@raymondbuterbaugh3117]

I can't wait to see, that caboose redone. I never knew they made one.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I didnt know these existed either. Had to go home and research it. then went back the next day for the score!!

[@franktino6676]

Very rare and only made I think...for one year, that Lionel 6557 smoking Caboose , if my memory serves me correctly...

[@thomasshannon3393]

I know its about the trains, but that steam engine might be your coolest purchase!

[@classicmodeltrains]

The steam plant is gunna be super cool. I'm gunna try and run a DC loco off the generator. Video to come :-)

[@johnramirez5996]

Nice finds excellent video. Ty for the tour

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

You guys got the best vintage stores out there! Here in N.Y.C. our "vintage" stores are a real joke. there are nothing more than broken and run down junk shops which have nothing to offer except the same old same old. Also, "Sophisticated" New Yorker's who like to delude themselfs, would look down and sniff their noses up at you, they think model trains is too beneath them, I'm just giving you the head's up when you come visiting here.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I don't think I will ever make it out to N.Y.C. Just too big for this country bumpkin. "Sophisticated" people make me become a very adept passive aggressive :-D

[@longviewkelsolines644]

Great haul look like such cool stuff.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks :-)

[@carltesh9612]

Kathy Irlen what a doll

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ireland....yes she is!

[@ostrich67]

The Meccano set is like the Erector set but better. It was made in England for the longest time, then in France until recently.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for sharing that great information with me!!!

[@markwakeley3835]

Man, what a great day you had. Fantastic haul.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks so much Mark :-)

[@wolfen216]

oh nice collection of what looks like Corgi PCC cars. They're almost O scale, just a bit smaller at 1/50 vs 1/48.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Them 5 or 6 streetcar looking things? Thanks for the info on what they are :-)

[@additudeobx]

Awesome stuff...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@billjohnson-lx4vi]

Cool antique store has model trains

[@classicmodeltrains]

I find them up here quite a bit Bill

[@matchboxcustomsandrestos]

The Lionel DT&I switcher is from the 72 to 74 Yardmaster set. I have the 71 set I got for christmas in 71.The 71 set is the only one that had green lamps on the front. 72 and up had red lamps on the front like that one. That looks pretty clean. Needs the antenna and horn replaced and would be a nice switcher.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for that good information!!

[@brentpodoll5848]

Great haul im a lil jealous that u have all these choices

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks. Jealous because I have all these choices to drain money out of my pocket :-D

[@rwheatley0206]

Awesome haul Ron. Great stuff.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@13thBear]

That Berkshire is what caught my eye. I love the old steamers. Not a fan of the toy trains so much. They just don’t look right to my eye, like their proportions are off or the details are lacking. Just something isn’t right and spoils the “illusion” to me. Neverthe less, you made a massive haul, my friend, that ought to keep you busy and out of trouble for a good time to come!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 13th, That Berk jumped out to me as soon as I rounded the corner. it was really dark down there. the camera shows it way better that real life. The Berk will make a good resto vid for sure!

[@CannonCountry]

Hope you restore that transformer soon. Its neat looking

[@classicmodeltrains]

It's getting about time for a transformer video for sure!

[@BriansModelTrains]

Another fun video. Look forward to the restoration videos coming up. Did you buy the 54$ magazine? I won't tell.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! No I think I can find the photo's online for free :-D

[@ottawascout]

Wow

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@terrymatvichuk1421]

The nails are for dating the telegraph and power poles that are along the Railroad tracks

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on! Thanks

[@phantombrakeman4983]

Those nails with numbers are called "date spikes". After installing a tie under the rails, they would tap them into the tie so when inspecting the track, you would know when it had been installed.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for that great information!!

[@gadgetclerk1267]

Cool stuff

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Great video . I think ive seen those numbered nails in telephone poles too ?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Yup that would make since. they need to keep track of the year the pole was put in the ground

[@CentralIndianaRailfan]

Fantastic video! Your content has earned you a sub from me. The date nails could have came from either ties from the tracks or i have personally seen them from telegraph poles which for insulator collectors (like me) we can date the pole and date the insulators we find on them!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the sub! Glad you are enjoying my channel. Yup them date nails are a great idea for maintenance work. I've heard of Fellers collecting insulators, Just never "met" one in real life :-)

[@AlexNunes-z6v]

dam man That's alot of yard. u rich

[@classicmodeltrains]

no, I collect model trains so I'm pretty much broke all the time.

[@AlexNunes-z6v]

@@classicmodeltrains 👍👋

[@richardsweeney197]

The triang "Lord of the Isles" was produced as recent as last year. Triang was a predecessor of Hornby.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I was hoping it was a old one but sounds like it might not be.

[@richardsweeney197]

@classicmodeltrains It could be older, it was first issued in 1961 if the green paint is Matt. It was between 1961 and 1964. If it is glossy, it was probably the 1972 and after re issue. The latest issue also has power pickup on the pilot truck. But Triang seems more toward the first issue. When first released it was #R 354 and the tender was sold separately

[@johnramirez5996]

I also have that new jersey central blue comet g scale with extra track has the circle logo of blue comet on back.

[@classicmodeltrains]

It's been so long since I shot this video I'm going to have to go back and watch it again to see what you are referencing :-)

[@johnramirez5996]

@@classicmodeltrains the only thing I don't like is 9v battery you have to put in passenger cars to make lights work

[@kenshores9900]

Those nails are toe nails. They are to tell when the tie was installed so they could maintain the ties and replace them. Not the date doesn’t go away when you drive them in the tie. Interesting video. Do you sell O gauge turn outs?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup, A few other fellers have filled me in on what them nails are for. I do not have any O turnouts for sale

[@kenshores9900]

Those nails were used in rail road ties. They indicated the year that they were installed.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Ken!!

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

The Lord of the Isles loco you picked up at around 11:00 is a brilliant little thing, designed by Triang (a British toy manufacturer) in the 1950s and produced into the 1960s, it was sold either as a loco and tender (modelled after the Great Western “Dean Single”), or in a train set featuring two Great Western clerestory coaches alongside the loco and tender, Hornby (Triang’s successor) would actually bring the model back in 2007, modifying the original Triang tooling to comply with modern standards, they’d produce it for both the Hornby Railroad range, the Thomas the tank engine range (repainted with a face added to look like the character of Emily) and more recently the Triang Remembered range Of course, the 2007 retool is nowhere near as cool as the original Triang model, would highly recommend picking it up if it’s still there on your next visit, incredibly simple to repair and service, although finding spares for such a model on the other side of the pond may prove difficult

[@classicmodeltrains]

THANK YOU on the info of what that piece was!! I don't have any British stuff. that would be an interesting one to obtain. perhaps the cars are there with it and I just didnt know to look. :-)

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

@@classicmodeltrains One thing I will warn you of (if you do decide to pick it up) is the wheels, the 1950s/60s version had thick wheels with massive flanges, resulting in the model often getting caught on switches when being run on a more modern layout, I’ve got one in my collection of vintage UK models, although I also have some Triang track to run it on without any interference, I believe the wheel flanges can be turned down to provide a better fit on modern track, though this is a modification I’m hesitant to do given that swapping the wheels out for something from the likes of Romford would be easier (and like I said, Hornby still produce the model today, modified to comply with modern standards)

[@allanegleston4931]

so , did u buy anything? looks like the stores had some nice stock to sell.

[@classicmodeltrains]

At the end of the video I showcased the items I purchased.

[@johnramirez5996]

Would love to have the o scale D T. I.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Apparently I did not buy that one. I cant recall it

[@GaryDavis-ir6fh]

if i was there i would be like now which one do i wanna put my grubby paws on first?

[@classicmodeltrains]

I sometimes have difficulties on what to do a video on. so much stuff.........

[@Lenny65]

I'm no expert but that Monopoly set if its brand new un opened . I bet it's very valuable . May wanna buy it

[@classicmodeltrains]

It’s from Bachman and I avoid that stuff like the plague. Probably has cracked gears in it.

[@Lenny65]

@@classicmodeltrains Odd 🤤

[@Lenny65]

@@classicmodeltrains most of them oddball sets command big dollars I know this because my father was in the hobby for many years he always had great luck with reselling Oddball train sets especially circus sets which command big money

[@jebbohanan2626]

Antique stores and other things like that in Florida….well, they expect you to take out a second mortgage to buy their junk. So, I quit checking them. And the Secondhand Stores hardly ever have anything. So, it just isn’t worth the time to run to them. It’s about the same way with “Flea Markets”. Way to expensive and nothing to choose from. But, we do got some excellent brick and mortar stores…and they have all been worth the efforts to drive 3 & 4 sometimes 5 hours to get to.

[@classicmodeltrains]

WOW! 5 hour drive? that's a long way to go. Glad to hear the stores are good ones :-)

[@jebbohanan2626]

@@classicmodeltrains Yeah, I just kinda take a mini-vacation. Probably leave out Friday evening find a nice place to stay for the night. Saturday, do my shoppin. Then head home. I will buy stuff off ebay, but I prefer laying hands on it before I expend fundage.

[@kaedenthecsxamtrakandthoma8318]

Can you get the bachmann Scottish twins

[@classicmodeltrains]

I wont buy any Bachmanns anymore.

[@leslie-up7qs]

Hay i live in Laurel idk that store was here cool if ur still workin at hobby shop il try get fown there soon i have sum custom cars i done yrs ago i wanna give u couple

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hey a LOCAL!!! Right on!! I'm not at the hobby store anymore. Busy doing my RV repair business out here in Lockwood.

[@leslie-up7qs]

Alot of the n scale i could price out for him b my pleasure to do so in wats left of my life

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like your selling off your N stuff?

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Long winded, is that what you meant? That was a wale of a deal, a steal of a deal, and that`s for real.

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-) Thanks

[@elleryparsons2433]

This Is How You spend Money.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Its a fast way that's for sure :-)

[@johnramirez5996]

The South Pacific engine picked up wasn't a dummy. It's a fake . Put out in readers digest. It's manufactured by high speed is what I think they are called. Got a couple myself. Came in lot buy on eBay. Got couple cars to. Gondola, tanker, can be upgraded and made to be used on n scale. But is just shelf pieces.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the good information John. Looks like you are taking the tour of all my video's and also taking the time to engage with them by commenting. Thank you very much for your support of my channel Sir!

[@johnramirez5996]

@@classicmodeltrains np love them! I also work on ATV UTV cars trucks as mechanic. Plus my RC cars both electric and nitro. You helped me figure out all my steam engines. The rotation of the wheels. Messed with a cpl. But didn't know that the wheels are set 1/4 turn of each other. Had a few come in that wouldn't work because they were set at 180 out.

[@classicmodeltrains]

@@johnramirez5996 your going to have a well rounded resume with all the stuff your fixing

[@johnramirez5996]

@@classicmodeltrains just love fixing things

[@johnsadventures6783]

I would leave broke

[@classicmodeltrains]

I hear ya!

[@ColeChi2009]

Where is this at

[@classicmodeltrains]

Up in Billings, Mt

[@ColeChi2009]

@@classicmodeltrains ty

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

And to think, it's hard to even find a decent hobby shop in az!!!! I been living in phoenix for ten year's,no train shows!! no nothing,and nv is even worse....... can't wait to get out of az.......

[@classicmodeltrains]

I got 2 hobby shops here in Billings, Plus all these vintage stores. Just no train shows close by :-(