Fwd: Trainbuddies Mail Car YORK REPORT May 2003

["Ron Fiebelkorn" <rwf49@hotmail.com>]

I'm on a mailing list with a dealer in Asheville, NC.  He went to the TCA 
meet in York.  Thought you might be interested in reading some of his 
comments.


Ron



>From: "Bobby Stricklin - Trainbuddies" <trainbuddy@bellsouth.net>
>To: "Trainbuddies Mail Car" <stri3488@bellsouth.net>
>Subject: Trainbuddies Mail  Car YORK REPORT May 2003
>Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 19:54:26 -0400
>
>TrainBuddies - THE MAIL CAR - May 2003
>
>
>YORK REPORT
>
>
>To: ALL Ticketed Passengers on the TRAINBUDDIES MAIL CAR
>
>
>From: Bobby and Lee at www.TRAINBUDDIES.com
>
>As the TRAINBUDDIES SUV loaded with new found goodies left the REAL WORLD 
>of TOY TRAINS and the mecca gathering of TCA at YORK, PA. (heading back to 
>the UNREAL WORLD of day to day life " after York") .. We recall the many 
>friends who said hello, the smiling faces we matched with internet ids, the 
>stories shared ( and you think fish tales are big), the WEALTH of trains 
>seen, purchased, and ( YES ) even the ones that got away!
>
>HERE'S WHAT WE NOTED WITH INTEREST
>
>   1.. Parking lot shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were a strange 
>mix this year. Several of the regular big dealers were NOT present and the 
>piles-of-Lionel closeouts were NOT there either. Prewar tin platers and 
>postwar guys ( & gals ) were still trading metal with much enthusiasm.. And 
>the smell of WD40 and rustoleum wafted out of more then one motel doorway. 
>MTH was available at deep discount.
>   2.. The bacon was still just as greasy and the coffee too hot, but 
>appreciated, at the snack shack outside the Purple Hall where the regulars 
>gathered on Friday and Saturday to await the Bruce Springstein national 
>anthem and the 9 a.m. opening of the halls. Shop til you drop at 5pm.
>   3.. Lionel display was impressive. Most all the new product line was on 
>hand along with a friendly staff answering questions and doing demos of 
>trainmaster. WOW-WOW-WOW. the new command controlled Crane Car. pricey at 
>$300. but what FUN! A hands on display of top shelf diecast steam ( about 8 
>engines in Lionmaster and Scale) were on the tables for side by side 
>comparison. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG EITHER WAY. If O31 is on your layout. you'll 
>be well pleased with the detail in the Lionmaster series. The new NWA 
>Lionmaster and NYC Hudson are Sharp. But still. when the SCALE engines 
>weigh in. your pulse rate races. ( mine was dyna-chuffing over the new 
>scale Berk). MILK CARS. the new four were on display. and YOU GOTTA have 
>ALL EIGHT. (first four you know the story. and see our list of FINDS 
>below). The aluminum hoppers are impressive. And based on the increasing 
>volume of Std O and semi scale cars being shown by LIONEL. you have to know 
>that BIG engines and BIG cars are here to stay. MOST IMPRESSIVE.. the kind 
>manner, and thoughtful efforts by the LIONEL crew to tell you their story. 
>We remain convinced that this company is and will remain #1.
>   4.. MTH.. SURPRISE . upon entering their DISPLAY TENT.. What were they 
>running on their operating layout.. LARGE SCALE. ( you know like G or Std 
>gauge. but not old tin plate. new era engine and cars ). really cool, 
>watching them run these beasts through the maze of large houses, on the 
>large track, but. WHERE WAS THE O GAUGE? .On shelves inside the trading 
>hall. Shame!
>   5.. And K LINE. continues to make a great presentation.. The product 
>line is growing and these guys are here to do business. Price point sure is 
>interesting. and you continue to go HMMmmmmmmm when you see the LIONEL 
>TRAIMASTER logo on their engine boxes. The "stop by and show your KCC card" 
>. PEDAL CAR gift was really neat.
>   6.. AMONG THE DEALERS SELLING IN THE HALLS.. Interesting that many had 
>replaced a large portion of their purple (mth) boxes with black and gold ( 
>K-line ) boxes. What's up.? You could buy a lot of recent issue MTH at 
>50-60 cents on the retail dollar. both in the halls and in the pre show 
>parking lots.
>   7.. WHAT WASN'T THERE.. Last year's trend continues. Lionel product was 
>not available at deep discounts. ( the close out era seems to be behind us 
>for the most part.. Of course there were still the few pieces of "STUFF" 
>that you could buy cheap. BUT.. try to find an aluminum pass car 2 pk. 
>Couldn't find an ADD ON Diesel A or B for single sale either. TOP LINE 
>DIESELS ( $350-430 retail price points) were in slim supply . and when you 
>saw them. most priced close to retail. Saw less Lionmaster engines on sell 
>tables (had to have been 2000 ??) than I have fingers. Buyers must be 
>keeping and running these beauties. Most all we talked to.. felt good about 
>Lionel's new increasing value in the secondary market.
>   8.. There was TOO much MPC ( pre 1986 ) around at below book. mostly the 
>regular rolling stock.. And non command motive power. Much of the ON SALE 
>(mpc) rolling stock was ratty box looking too. Aluminum passenger cars ( 
>from the 80's) continue to be pricey and no bargains on those cars when 
>seen in top condition. Boxed-limited edition freight sets with NON command 
>engines inside.were available CHEAP. Values of these sets continue to 
>fall.. But split out individual pieces of the rolling stock from inside 
>these sets holding ground.
>   9.. Collector Cars.. Everyone wanted BOOK ++ for these cars. Two most 
>recent employee cars were seen at two locations. each priced at $699. And 
>club cars were PROUDLY shown by sellers who were asking book +/- on most 
>items..mint condition. The story rings true.. Limited issue. items made in 
>less than 1500, 1000, or 500 will always garner collector respect.
>   10.. 6464's holding their own. the availability of the 6464 three car 
>sets significantly reduced since last year ( in 2002 you saw a bunch). this 
>year prices on three packs were $20-$30 higher . and finding Series 
>7-8-9-10 or the archives was mission difficult. Quality boxcars still rule 
>the rails. The "ARTIST" has issued several custom editions of the so-so-so 
>hard to find post war special issue 6464s. Watch for the red feather WP 
>6464, white MStL 6464, and others arriving at trainbuddies web site in the 
>next weeks. They look great, are Lionel quality. and they DON'T cost $500 a 
>copy.
>   11.. Saw the prototype for the new LOTS patriotic unibody. My guess is 
>this car will sell out before the order deadline ( mid May).
>   12.. Much buzz about the new chrome finished custom decorated tank cars 
>from our friend " The Artist" .and we're proud to be adding the EXXON, 
>COORS SILVER BULLET, TEXACO, MILLER LIGHT and (gold finished) MILLER 
>GENUINE DRAFT tank cars to our web site sales list. Pictures arriving this 
>weekend.
>ENOUGH ALL READY. we could go on and on. Still kicking ourselves for not 
>letting loose to buy that X&#?/ ________X/?X@? which we walked pass. and 
>when we came to our senses and went back for. the seller smiled ( actually 
>he snickered a little ).. and said Sorry, SOLD IT!
>
>And, AS NOTED. the SUV was filled with BUYS. And after five nights in 
>motels, six days of great greasy bacon, and 70 gallons of gas all is safely 
>back in Asheville and Atlanta. We're taking pictures and will be posting 
>OUR FINDS over the next week.
>
>+++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>BUT >>>>> Here is a sneak preview opportunity of some of our better GRABS.. 
>And we trust that you won't " walk pass" the item you see that you really 
>want. Our Promise. all these items are PRIMO. and if you do wait a phone 
>call moment too long .. We won't snicker when you call!
>
>YORK TRAIN FINDS = These are the highlights. more at the web site beginning 
>Monday 5/5
>
><<<<< TOP FIND >>>>>
>
>SET OF ALL FOUR FIRST ISSUE MILK CARS (N/Obs)
>
>Includes 17332-33-34-35 (HOODS, REA, PFLAUDER & NH) Priced @ $375 for the 
>set.
>
>GOOD STUFF: ( All Items NEW/OB)
>
>05720 Great Northern-REA Reefer ('84) @ $90
>
>07611 New York 1776 Bicentennial Boxcar ('75) @ $70
>
>07784 TCA Voltamp Boxcar ('84) @ $30
>
>09319 TCA Disneyland Hotel Mint Car ('79) @ $165
>
>09371 Atlantic Sugar Hopper ('80 - split from set ) @ $30
>
>16135 C&O Stock Car ( '94 split from set # 11743) @ $28
>
>17185 Lionel Lines Red/Blue Silver Rotary Gondola ('01) @ $43
>
>16953 Red Wing TOFC ('95) @ $50
>
>19287 NYC SSS Overstamp 6464-125X ('97) @ $90
>
>19288 PRR SSS Overstamp 6464-200x ('97) @ $75
>
>19519 Frisco Stock Car FF#5 ('91) @ $33
>
>19624 Centennial 1d Tank Car ('99) @ $40
>
>19678 Army Smoking Bunk Car ( '02) @ $55
>
>19704 Western Maryland SSS EV Cab w/smoke ('89) @ $55
>
>19705 CP EV Caboose w/smoke ('89) @ $55
>
>19706 Union Pacific EV Caboose w/smoke ('89) @ $55
>
>19719 Erie Bay Window Caboose FF#7 (93) @ $53
>
>19992 LRRC Western Union Tool Car ( '00 first issue of series ) $ 59
>
>26725 NYC Jumping Hobo Car ('01) @ $65
>
>28519 PWC Northern Pacific GP9 ( Cc, Rs, 01 issue) @ $295
>
>28529 Norfolk & Southern GP9 ( Cc, Rs, split from '01 SSS) @ $295
>
>29066 Central New Jersey Baby Madison 4 Car Set ('00) @ $220
>
>29228 CC1 Turbine Boxcar ('98) @ $70
>
>29439 PWC Autoloader w 4 colored cars ( '02 issue) @ $63
>
>39205 Alaska 6464-825 ( from SX '01) @ $55
>
>49805 Gabe The Lamplighter Accessory ('02 issue) @ $125
>
>52047 TTOS Cotton Belt SSW Smoking Woodside Hi Cupola Caboose ('93) @ $75
>
>0KMT-UPS Boxcar (not operating) @ $50
>
>E-39000 Eastwood Lionel Blimp (coin bank '97) @ $85
>
>ESPECIALLY GOOD FINDS (all New/OB)
>
>16269 Scout BLUE BOY Boxcar ( from LL set '96) @ $60
>
>18266 Norfolk & Southern SD60 ( Cc, Rs, Odyssey, Smoke, '01 issue) @ $400
>
>18294 Alaska SD70 Mac ( Cc, Rs, Odyssey, Smoke '01 issue) @ $420
>
>18295 Conrail SD80 Mac ( Cc, Rs, Odyssey, Smoke '02 issue) @ $410
>
>18298 UP Desert Victory SD40 ( Cc, Rs, Odyssey smoke 02 issue) @ $410
>
>18680 LRRC Millennium Hudson ('00 traditional - very low production) @ $275
>
>19427 PWC Evans Autoloader - red cars ( 1st autoloader reissue '99) @ $63
>
>19428 PWC Evans Autoloader - boats ( 1st autoloader reissue '99) @ $90
>
>19816 Madison Hardware Operating Boxcar ('91) @ $135
>
>26023 PWC Red Flat w Orange Bulldozer ('02) @ $63
>
>26024 PWC Red Flat w Orange Scraper ('02) @ $63
>
>26007 Norfolk & Western R-W-B 1776 TOFC ( split from '02 SSS) @ $80
>
>26140 NY Fire Dept Chrome Tank Car ( split from set) @ $75
>
>26759 Lionel Lines (all metal) Coal Dump Car ('02) @ $79
>
>26798 Bethlehem (all metal) Coal Dump Car ('02) @ $79
>
>28026 Lionel Lines 4-6-2 Blue/Orange/Cream Steamer ( Cc, Rs '00 issue) @ 
>$385
>
>28200 D&H U30C - Secret SSS Engine '02 ( Cc, Rs, Odyssey, Smoke ) @ $425
>
>29298 Centennial Lionel Lines 6464-2000 ( '00 Blue Boy Add on ) @ $75
>
>36021 Alaska Flat w Alaska Airplane ('99) @ $75
>
>52079 TTOS SP Bay Window Caboose ('96) @ $60
>
>52088 TCA Las Vegas Giltter OTV Banquet Car ('96) @ $125
>
>52120 Shedd Aquarium Car ( Clrc '98) @ $125
>
>52135 LOTS Santa Fe Reefer @ $60
>
>52151 LCCA Amtrak Silver StdO Steelside Reefer ('98) @ $75
>
>52208 LCCA LL silver blue EV Caboose ('00) @ $100
>
>52266 LCCA Coal to War Hopper #2 ( '02) @ $95
>
>NEW FROM RGS (custom decorated cars). Watch for these at the web site 
>starting 5/4
>
>Chrome Tank Cars = Coors Silver Bullet, Exxon, Miller Genuine Draft, 
>Texaco, and Miller Lite
>
>Harley Davidson Boxcar 100th Anniv ( 2nd in series)
>
>Texas Special MKT ( red and white to match the F3s) Stock Car
>
>PRR and DRG Stock Cars
>
>Postwar 6464 replicas = WP blue, silver, & red feathers, MStL Green, MStl 
>White, GN Orange
>
>AT THE WEB SITE ==== nearly 1000 pictured listings. and many new issues 
>arriving this week.
>
>Email / Call us / Find us on the Web. and Ebay
>
>Bobby = trainbuddy@bellsouth.net = Ebay ID = Trainbuddy = ph 828 274 9824
>
>Lee = glgarrett@mindspring.com = Ebay ID = Cumbva = ph 404 581-8013
>
>Of course you can find us at the web site www.trainbuddies.com
>
>THANKS FOR TAKING A TRAIN BREAK WITH US!
>
>PS: Want to CANCEL Your Ride? If you do NOT want to receive MAIL CAR 
>messages .Click your REPLY button and in the SUBJECT BOX type CANCEL. We'll 
>promptly remove your email address from our send list.


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