Products of Lakeland, FL

Thanksgiving often means a visit to in-laws in Lakeland, FL.  It also means I will take some things to do, like a bike to ride (it's really flat!) or kits to assemble or books to read so when the ladies are chatting or cooking or crafting, I'll have something to keep me busy.  Yep, got in a bicycle ride, ate LOTS of delicious food at in-law's and at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, AND did some train stuff.

If you're going to have a pulp and paper mill, you gotta have pulpwood racks.  I had been collecting racks at various shows and stores so figured it was time to put some together.  Had THREE Tichy Train kits:

Don't know why I would have waited so long to try one before obtaining another.  These kits are VERY detailed and "fiddlely".  At least on one, the brake system is almost installed properly. 

Hoping to get some insight into assembling these kits, I went online. . . .  Found one guy who had done a similar thing, purchased a couple of kits and let them sit a year or two or three; then decided to assemble.  At one point he comments that assembly of these kits might better be done by paying somebody.  Nevertheless, he forged forward and confirms:  would be better to pay someone to do them.  I might agree!

Made some progress on two and had a third, non-Tichy that needed trucks and couplers:

Not real sure where side panels go and sent email to Tichy.  Still have not heard.  Waiting to figure where to put them before placing decals.

Also had a C&O boxcar kit.  Much simpler although brake system is pretty detailed.  Made an attempt at weathering; needs a little refining. . . .

If you're in Ybor City, it's just a hop, skip, and jump over Old Tampa Bay to HR Trains in Pinellas Park.  Used to be one of the three largest model train shops in USA; now claims to be largest in FL.

Since a friend of a friend was cleaning out her attic, found a 1957 HO scale Lionel train set, and gave it to me but the Rivarossi Loco didn't run, I was in the market for a replacement motor.  HR Trains repair guy pulled out a couple of old motor boxes while Alice and I looked for pulpwood racks and other cars.

Walked away with another Tyco rack (not highly detailed), a tank car, another Tichy Train kit (oops), hopper car, and possible replacement motor -- all for a "steal" Dennis suggested!  Whether or not I got a good price, they were certainly fun to deal with.

Just means more work, I guess.  Tested motor quickly; not confident it's going run :(