After a short absence due to job/lack of income to support playing with large scale trains, my wife and I rejoind that group today after a trip to Watt’s Train Shop in Zionsville, Indiana. While we both love LGB and trains of Europe, current price trends and costs associated with LGB is above our means. But older REA/Aristocraft stuff is well within our budget, along with USA Trains. We bought an old REA/Aristocraft NP Alco FA-1 that was test run only, otherwise new in the box. The horns were never installed ect. My wife found a USA Trains Corona beer reefer she wanted so we got that as well. No track as of yet, but hopefully over the fall and coming winter months we can aquire enough track to once again circle our water garden with a small garden railroad. Just this time the trains will be USA Prototypes. I am in the process of stripping the FA-1 down so I can custom paint it for the local model RR club railroad. I will be ordering up a set of G scale decals to match the HO ones that Stan did for me a few months ago. I hope to get a short string of REA passenger cars to repaint and pull with the FA-1. Now if I could find a little circuit that sequences 4 light bulbs so I could make up a scale Prime Stratolite beacon for the roof of the diesel. A gentleman in Germany made up a few for his BN diesel locomotives, he was going to make me up one but we have lost touch with each other now. I am looking to swap my Pola two story tall German station for a small USA style station like Aristo’s little Victorian style station. It was built but the glue gave it, its mostly back in pieces in a box in my shed. Probably 95% all there with only minor little things possibly missing. I kept all the spare pieces in the original box in the attic. Being on a tight budget, any older ie cheaper rolling stock is of interest, espicaly 3-4 of REA/Aristo short wood passenger cars and one of the REA/Aristo steel cabooses to repaint to match the Alco. Any road name is fine since I will be repainting them. Used sectional track is also needed. Cheers Mike and Michele T
Welcome back, Mike.
Hope everything works out as planned.
Ralph
Me to!! Should know more about my new job in the coming week or two. Cheers Mike and Michele T
Welcome back, Mike!
Welcome back aboard!
Hey Mike -
Wondering if you are involved with the Indiana Large Scale Railroaders? You may want to check it out for additional local support in Indiana. Watts is the supporting hobby store and supplier…
Dan
Indianapolis, IN
I plan to join thier group once I am more stable in the financial department. If all goes to plan, I should be working at the Chrysler transmission plant in a few weeks. Still havent decided what to repaint my FA-1 into yet. Did see a pic of a WM Fireball scheme on an old REA Alco, looked good! Have to see what decals are out there as well. Cheers Mike
…winking…
Good luck, Mike and Welcome!
Welcome back, Mike…
Thanks for the welcome back guys. I love the feel and size of G scale, just not the cost in the past. But I am finding ways around that part of the problem. Once we get past the cost of track to build our small line, we will be much better off. Thanks guys. Mike and Michele T
Mike Toney…I seem to recall that name somewhere. 
Welcome back!