Does anyone know how rare the '68 tca tender shell is?
They show up on eBay all the time. Not hen’s teeth, but not common either. Easy enough to find.
Jim
Jim’s exactly right. There’s a 2671 TCA shell and a TCA shell on a 2046 tender both for sale on E-Bay right now.
Here’s the culprit we are talking about [:)]:
The guy selling this one wants $75. A bit steep IMHO.
Dep
Hay Dep,Ya think he would throw in a can of black paint and a pair of NYC decals???
well, along with the rest of the tender???
LOL…for that kind of money he should!!! [(-D] [tup]
BDT,
If your are looking to reletter a shell, I’d buy a repro. They only cost about $25.
Absolutely Jim,I am always looking for a bargain when it comes to a tender…whether it is new, a new old stock shell, a repro shell, or a used one in any condition…I have been lucky lately…But wow, the ever popular NYC is going to have to make allot of “guest” appearances in Northern Minnesota if I don’t get some decals and paint…I think it may be easier to just draw a new map. I never have found Lionel Lines on a railroad map either, so …I think I will also pencil them in when I get around to routing the NYC through my neck of the woods while drawing that map… I think I’ll pass on the TCA shell at $75… I bought a new pair of 773 celebration series tenders for about $42 each…way too nice to repaint, and they sure look nice behind my pre-war 225 locos…
You can usually get reproduction tender shells (2046 style) for around $15.
I accidentally discovered that the current batch of reproduction 746W shells have their striping applied by decal. The decal is easily removed if you soak the shell in warm, soapy water (simple green). It will just peel off, leaving a nice, blank shell.
Warning: Simple Green will remove lettering, lithography, and sometimes paint. It does a nice job degreasing stuff.
Why would you want to repaint a TCA shell when repros are cheaper?
I just restored a pretty beat up 2671 shell (with Dep’s generous help). It looks almost new again. I’m thrilled with it! Thanks, Dep!
Jim
Glad to help, Jim. Post pics when you get the chance!! [tup]
Jim, I couldn’t agree more…All jokes aside, that shell is too nice to even think of repainting…The TCA is a honorable group of hobbiests, and I would like to see that shell find a new home that will honor what the TCA stands for, and display it proudly…(well , reguardless what it may sell for) …For my operation, perhaps six of the 2046 shells lettered for the Canadian Pacific, coupled behind my 2046-2056 fleet, would be more fitting. The repro shells are a good way to achieve this, as I can retain the original shells for future resale of the tender. If a shell is scratched and can use refinishing, I have no problem doing so, But I feel guilty in taking a 50 year old classic that is in good shape and altering it’s original appearance. Of course, my junkers will be game for anything…I plan on having ALLoT of fun with them…
The great thing about the repro shells, aside from their price, is that the lettering is screen printed on, leaving no heat stamped impressions in the plastic. And the shells aren’t painted either. They are molded in black, so the details are a little crisper to start with.
Jim’s right. The two repro shells I got have the Pennsylvania lettering printed on and the shells seem to be even better quality than the originals. Amazing what a new tender shell does as far as improving the appearance of the loco-tender. [tup]
A little Simple Green or Castrol Super Clean will remove the printing without harming the plastic.
Jim