With old age upon me with some annoying side effects like tremors and other Mother Nature cruel tricks, plus family health concerns I’m about to make a painful decision. I have already sold all of my Frisco HO engines and all rolling stock and as much of my layout as I can manage without destroying track and switches. I held back the Frisco brass steam that I have in process. I’m beginning to see that I most likely won’t finish everything I’m doing. Therefore I have decided to gather and sell all of my modelmaking tools, machines and models in process along with a host of other items that I have built or acquired since the mid 60s. I don’t want to leave a confusing mess for my Daughter to try and figure out. The locomotives in process are: PFM Frisco 4-8-2, being built into 1501 with Baker Valve gear. PFM Frisco 4-8-2, being built into a 1522 with a Scullin Main driver and all updated details. Sunset USRA Light 2-8-2 built into a Frisco 4000 class. Akane USRA Light 2-8-2 built into a Frisco 4000 class. Scratchbuilt Frisco 1040-1059 4-6-2 Scratchbuilt Frisco 1040-1059 4-6-2 PFM Omaha 0-6-0 rebuilt into Frisco 3695. These are all in various stages of progress, the 4000s probably closer to done. Shop equipment: Micro Mark 7x14 engine lathe with lots of cutting tools, taps and other additions. A Chinese table top R8 Vertical Mill w/tilt and swivel vise and a dividing head, set of collets and plenty of cutting tools. Comco Micro Blaster, old but works well. Extra tips. Craftsman 15 Gal vertical air compressor. Airbrush equipment and accessories. Ultrasonic Cleaner Sandblast cabinet on a stand w/Paasche large gun Belt/disc sander Small bandsaw 250W resistance soldering unit w tweezers and probe. Lifetime of carbon rod. Rivet embossing “machine” with X and Y axis, similar to the one in an old Mainline Modeler 3 NWSL Quartering fixtures, including the latest. Home made knurling tool for axles, etc. ALPS MD 1000 printer and Windows 7 computer, large supply of decal paper and spare ribbons. Wheel puller. Bench top drill press. Some new Soundtraxx steam decoders, stay alive and soundtraxx accessories. Home made test and program stand. Paint, thinner and lacquer thinner. Home made spray booth. Lab oven for baking paint. Huge supply of detail parts, custom castings, drivers, gearboxes, motors, spare tenders, sheet brass and brass “piping” for details and partially scratchbuilt engines and mechanisms. Couple of Dremel tools. Digitrax w/ wireless throttles and Digitrax power supply. Many other items that I have overlooked. I will start organizing it all and take photos. For pick up only, will only sell as a lot and am asking $8000 for the whole shop. Haven't made a hard decision yet and still have a lot of organizing to do but thought I would float a trial balloon.
Well Don, I just hate to hear this idea of yours. Its a good idea perhaps, but hate to hear, or even think of it. Such world class models came out of that shop.
I detest what aging does to us. Standing helpless by and seeing what it can do to my friends only makes me dislike it that much more. Don: We all have to do what we feel we must do as we age. If you feel it has come to this point, then I wish you the absolute best for quick and worthwhile sales. I hesitate to suggest this... but if you miss the simple fun of miniature trains running... there's always 3 rail. Even scale proportioned 3-rail is available, as well as decent plug n' play track systems. Minimal "exacting modeling" to be done if desired. Frankly, some time ago I was quite surprised to see how good even "traditional" (i.e. toy sized) 3 rail trains can look among a "sincere" scenic setting. I offer these pics as idea starters: Actually, I have a modest collection of 3-rail that I occasionally add pieces to. They are my "safety net" for if/when the time comes that I no longer desire the tedious work of HO. For now, the 3-rail models serve Christmas Duty on our annual Christmas display here at the Ming household, but those models also serve at standby status if needed. For me, having 3-rail trains running about would be absolutely better than no miniature trains at all. All the best to you. Andre
