As any self respecting FRISCO modelers dream would be to have the FRISCO 1522 as a part of their fleet, I also have wanted her on mine, especially since I am modeling mostly steam. A BRASS FRISCO PFM TOBY model had been listed about 4 times on ebay with no bids so my wife said if I wanted it, GO AHEAD and bid. So I bid on it with 4 days left in the auction, well I got down to the last minute as the high bidder and "BAM" like a bullet to the brain watching it count down to the last minute, I got outbid by a scalper at the last minute and my phone is so slow there was no way for me to increase my bid so alas, I lost her once again. So I plead with all of my fellow FRISCO FRIENDS, if anyone has a FRISCO 1500 series BRASS steamer laying around that you are considering parting with, can I please be up for consideration and private message me and we can work something out. If you dont have one, or if you are resourceful in knowing where I can locate one, it DONT have to be the crown model, JUST a 1500 series. I am in the market and have permission from the wife to get it. I have wanted this locomotive since I was 13 and I am now 40. I apologize if this post sounds like it was written by the 13 year old in me, but, I think it may have been. As my collection continues to grow, I think it is time to add a 4-8-2 in black and gold to the roster!!!!!!
Don't be sad. You'll get one. I'll keep my eye out for you.... Go to Brasstrains.com. Set up an account. It's free. When you do, you can access the brass guide and locate the engine. Once located, you can save it to an alert list. You will then be emailed when one is available. Brasstrains.com does a four payment lay-away plan for all purchases over $500.00, so it's easier to acquire the engine you want. I've done it so many times now, I can't count. Great prices and great people to deal with. If you need help, PM me.
That's always a crusher to have someone step in at the last moment - but, it has happened to me countless times. Now I place my bid at the maximum I am willing to pay .... then I don't feel quite as bad if I am outbid .. which still happens at times.
Why don't you practice up on your eBay skills and figure out a bidding strategy to beat the pouncers! I believe there's internet advice on how to do just that. Tom G.
Caboose Hobbies in Denver has what I think you are looking for. Here is the link: http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=196096 GS
Howdy! Be sure and check out www.thecaboose.com. Lots of good priced brass including Frisco! Currently offered is a complete Hallmark Meteor train and an Overland 4400 4-8-2 custom painted for the 4421 at $295.00! It has a "wobble" to it according to the info but this should be no major problem to fix. The photos include the underbody and it doesn't look like it has ever had any run time. At any rate, a nice price! Joe Toth
Adding to the sad sad story is the fact some guys who put their brass on consignment tend to price their models far above and beyond the current value that they list it for on the market. Dan at www.brasstrains.com has provided modelers with reaslistic brass values on his site and additionally, in several books he has published, thus making the old Brown Book of Brass Models obsolete. Though no Frisco HO brass listed at this time, www.chucksbrasstrains.com has a pre-Bachmann Williams Frisco GP38 as new with original box, O gauge, 3-rail, listed at $110.00! Nice photo posted on the site. He has lots of "Nice Price" brass, non-brass, vehicles, books, etc. on his site as well. Jay Cohen, www.jaystrains.com has several HO scale Frisco locomotives and freight cars listed on his site currently as well. He traditionally has sales over holidays. I imigine a 4th of July sale might be in the making. I have made purchases from these dealers and all are honest with their descriptions and offer prompt shipping as well. Another sad sad story, I missed a nice used PFM Frisco 2-10-0 about three years ago when Chuck listed it on his site when I wasn't paying it a visit. It sold for $99.00. I am still crying in my java! Joe Toth
Boy am I glad that I am not all that into steam. Although I managed to score a couple of the decapods at a ridiculous low price. I do feel you pain in as much with me trying to buy decals for the Frisco that haven't been produced for awhile. What's worse, I really don't know exactly what I need as I can't get to my original stash as it is buried in a storage locker.
I checked out Jay Cohen's site and found the Athearn Special Edition set of three Mexican cabooses and the MIRA Dallas convention boxcar that was made by MDC/Roundhouse in 1974. I sent him an email and he replied that he no longer has holiday sales but did give me a 15% discount on the items I ordered. I am sure he will pass along 15% for Frisco members too as I told him I was passing along the info since he does list several Frisco models in HO, diesels and freight cars. I believe they are all out of production items. It looks like Manny will be in the bizz of producing decals too when his venture gets up and running. I had no plans to return to HO. My daughter put the pressure on me to construct a layout albeit rather compact since I live in an apartment. I will sure stand behind Manny since I am all for the Mom & Pop businesses. You still get a "Howdy" from them and not an order number! LaBelle wood kits are also manufactured by a Mom & Pop company. They have been making the kits for a good number of years in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Like Kadee and MicroTrains, all are Made in the Good Old US of A! I hope your storage locker is in a good dry place. A friend of mine had a lot of vintage Katy material turn into "The Blob" because he didn't store it properly. He too is still crying a river of tears over the loss! At least we aren't alone! Joe Toth
BTW....much of the consignment stuff you see at THE CABOOSE is from the late Arthur Riordan's collection. I know some of you knew Art. Buck
Here in KC, many of us knew of or knew Art. His collection of HO stuff was quite large, with lots of brass. We all had an opportunity to purchase, but alas, he only had two Frisco items, a PFM 2-10-0 and a side door caboose.
