Hi:

I've never seen a Sierra Valley box car but they did make a Sumpter Vally Railway box car, #93353, with SVRy 1353 reporting marks in 1994.

There was a set made in 2007 for Orchard Supply Hardware called the Sierra Express. I looked for years for one ( I'm in Pennsylvania and OSH is on the west coast ) and finally got the 1st one I've ever seen on EBAY last year. Someone just had a broken set on EBAY with a melted engine and that is only the second one I'd ever seen. It really is a nice looking set. The passenger set from 2008 shows up every now and then and is a nice set also.

Wade

Hi All:

I got the Pardee & Curtin 81197 when it came out but just got a Ely-Thomas 81199 this year from a dealer I know. I tried to deal on his price and said since it was new in the box, I would have to get the new 6 screw trucks. He said that it was the 2nd run of the 1st Shay and had the newer trucks instead of the 8 screw ones. As I opened the box, I noticed that it had led lights. I thought the first shays had gow bulbs. It also had the 6 screw trucks. Anyone have any idea if and when a second run of 81199s were produced as Loco Bill and I would love to know. Thanks.

Wade

Hi Bill:

I got the Bass Pro Shop Christmas catalog. This year they have a Lionel 0-27 set.
Nothing on Boscov's or Sam's Club yet.

Wade

Hi:

I just measured the 2-6-0's drivers and the are 40mm/1.575 inches. The old 2-4-2 also has the same drivers.

Wade

Hi Bill:

I was at the E.B.T. for the fall special the other weekend and #15 was running, the only one left in operational condition. It ran a special with 14 cars Saturday. I was cleaning out my desk today (much needed) and found some 35mm slides my mother took of me and my uncle Drew in the cab of #15 in 1960 when the railroad opened back up. He was the engineer that day and I was all of 15 years old. Of course I had a free cab ride. I realised that I'd known #15 longer than my wife Barb. I don't think she's jealous-HA HA.

Wade

Hi Eric:

Aristocraft has the Delton dies and molds for the freight cars in 1:24 and some years ago did a series of E.B.T. cars in their Classics series. They are no longer in the catalog but show up on EBAY and train meets. I bought some at the ECLSTS at York, PA  several years ago from Nicholas Smith. They were selling at that time 3 for $100. They look OK size wise with the Bachmann cars. By all means, get the E.B.T. Annie and pick up the other cars as it is a much better engine. They show up on EBAY often.

Wade

Hi Again:

September 1961 Model Railroader pages 42 & 43, November 1975 Railroad Model Craftsman pages 54 & 55. The RMC is a centerfold so try to get a scan of the middle.

Wade

Hi:

The November 1975 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman had plans for 14/15 and the September 1961 issue of Model Railroader had plans for 16 along with the 28 caboose, 10 coach, 805 30-ton hopper and 170 wood box car. These show up on E-BAY sometimes or at train meets.

Wade

Hi Bill:

Sorry, I didn't bid on it as I have all the cars and engine in other sets and space is getting to be a problem. I hoped you had got it. At least we got to see a picture of it.

Are you going to make it to York this month?

Wade

Hi Bill:

Thanks for the info. Did you see the 90070C set on EBAY the other week? Any more info on that?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140443810457&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Wade

Hi:

Any idea when the 93268 Berkshire Ham & Bacon reefer will be available?

Thanks

Wade

Hi Alan:

I scanned some and emailed them. Hope they help.

Wade

Hi:

For your information, Bachmann makes two Vulcan trucks. The hopper has coil springs while the caboose has leaf springs. I switched the trucks from a painted, unlettered 8 wheel caboose with the tender trucks from my E.B.T. Annie as the E.B.T.'s have the leaf spring Vulcan's.

Wade

Hi Kevin:

Cairo & Kanawha. You're too young to have brain-fade already.

Wade

Hi Snowshoe:

The roofwalk on the 20' car is 5 5/16" above the rail and the brake wheel is 6" above the rail.

Wade