With the risk of repeating a message, the note regarding the sale of the Michal Coates Collection is being repeated as the initial item in these Train Orders. This is to make doubly certain that all of our members are aware of the intent to sell as much of the collection as possible at the normal monthly meet on Sunday 14 August. Terry and the Wednesday Gang have devoted significant time to organize the collection by type to make it easier to ‘shop.’
Michael’s Collection is quite extensive and we are hoping members will come along and make a purchase or even several purchases. Some may wish to make them in memory of Michael or just buy some of the models that they might have been looking for over time.
All locomotives in Michael’s collection are DC powered. Michael had not progressed to DCC. A number of the models, both locos and cars, are still packaged in the original plastic and have never been opened. The collection consists of:
Diesel Locomotives from Mfr’s – Proto 2000 ;Walthers; Athearn( BlueBox & the odd Genesis); Kato; Atlas; Bachmann.
Steam locomotives from Mfr’s – AHM; Bachmann; Rivarossi; etc. (The Rivarossi items include a Cab Forward and a NYC Hudson – about eight locos in all)
Passenger cars from Mfr’s – Walthers; Rivarossi; Con-Cor; Bachmann; Branchline; etc.
Freight Cars from Mfr’s – Athearn; Walthers; Con-Cor; Proto; Atlas; Details West; Roundhouse; E & C Shops etc.
HO scale trucks and containers – many different liveries and names.
On30 locomotives and freight cars – 2 Porter locos; caboose; tank car; MoW car etc.
Buildings – several modern building kits; 2 half roundhouse kits plus associated facility items such as a sanding tower etc.
There are two boxes containing a miscellany of freight cars and other items which are not boxed and also including Model Power and other dated items.
For those who have some British OO scale models,, there are a few items in the collection. There are also a few books but there is more to collect from Michael’s widow.
Whilst we are sure some models for sale are not of the standard currently available, these can never the less be used as static items on your layout. A Rivarossi loco could be positioned in your loco shed with the pick-ups disconnected if you have DCC power. A freight car could be updated with new wheels and perhaps a bit of weathering; maybe even used as a MoW car. (A possible project would be an entire work train.) The same with passenger cars which in most cases having these re-wheeled is sufficient. Prices will be at a level where we are encouraging you to buy. So come along and bring your wallet. Cash is the preferred transaction option please.
Thanks are due to Len and David Ford along with Mike Lenz and Terry who staffed the Crewe Heritage Centre tables at the Manchester Aviation Society, Aviation & Transport Festival on Sat/Sun 16 and 17 July. Our tables were in about the same location as last year, under the wing of Concorde and equipped with the new NMRA roller banner poster along with the two new roller banner boards covering the Crewe Heritage Centre. The both was popular and helped get the message out that the Crewe Heritage Centre is a good attraction in the neighbourhood. The day did not start very brightly but a good crowd eventually kept us busy on Saturday. A very popular feature with the youngsters was four boxes containing a miscellaneous collection of Michael Coates model autos and trucks for sale at good prices. Business was brisk on Saturday. Sunday was a sunny day and the crowds arrived in large numbers. In fact the organizers had to close the gate, as all car parks were full. Sales on our booth was not good but we did speak with many families who took away 2 for 1 offer leaflets promising to visit the Heritage Centre before its season closure in September. Without Terry, Len, and David, this event would not happen and a vote of thanks is due their way.
Wednesday Gang is still an important activity of our Group. It is a chore to make it to Crewe for each Wednesday if your home is some distance away and not everyone is in the best of health for travel, but go once a month if that may be feasible. We always remind members of this part of our activity, perhaps too much but it is the only way to continue to maintain and improve the layout. Planning is going ahead with Alan Wyatt for an easier to use N scale layout which could soon occupy some effort. Progress on the new board at the barge slip will also be underway again soon. There is a lot to do. Contact Terry if you plan to attend.
We have had some good presentations in the first half of this year. These provide another reason to attend our monthly meetings and share and improve our own modeling skills. Usually the preparation of material for a topic will expand the subject more for the presenter than those who attend the presentation or clinic. There are so many possibilities for topics that have a railroad modelling scheme. Have you ever scratch built a building for your layout? Did you learn something or develop a procedure that someone else might find helpful? Share it Have you used the modular building concept from DPM or Walthers? Tell us about it. Surely we are not all armchair modellers. Do not think that what you have done is too insignificant to interest another modeller. It is surprising to note how mny common items can adapt to a scratch-building effort.
Ever wonder about the engineer’s hat: In 1905, George “Stormy” Kromer, a fireman with the Chicago & Northwestern RR had the idea for design of a work hat which would be resistant to blowing off with the wind as the cap currently in use was prone to do. His wife Ida created the design from heavy canvas and that started the cap which is seen widely as that worn by a railroad man.
Leave a Reply