I have this railcar that I think was bought in the 1970’s but I can’t be sure. It is in a styrofoam container with a cardboard sleeve around it. The sleeve is messed up but it says FM TRAINMASTER. The car is pretty heavy and big. I don’t know what “scale” it is which is what I am trying to find out. The car is 16 x 4 H x 2.5 wide approx. I want to sell it on Ebay but I don’t know what “scale” to list it under. Says Milwaukee Road. Brand new still in original packaging. I would put a picture on but can’t seem to figure it out
First off it would not be described as a railcar, it is a “locomotive” or “engine”.
And it would appear to be “O” scale. I wouldn’t know what the price should be.
AgentKid
Hi Tull,
You might get answers on one of the other Kalmbach Fora such as Classic Toy Trains or Garden Railways. This place tend to focus on the big 1:1 locos. [:)]
It probably is a trainmaster but to help we need the engine number and RR name would help. Also what condition is it in?
The dimensions are correct for an O-scale model of the Fairbanks-Morse Train Master. As others have said, the color(s), railroad name, and especially the cab number are important in identifying it. Does the box mention any manufacturer? It will also be important to know whether it is meant for 2-rail or 3-rail track. Are there pickup rollers between the wheels?
Here is a picture of a Lionel Train Master:
Bob,
Are you the original owner of that scarce ‘MAROON’ roof, first run Train Master, which has the prototypical color scheme?
Ralph
Even if I were, I wouldn’t know how to post a picture! As Rob realized, that’s just the picture from the Postwar Lionel website.
Gentlemen,
Thank you, I didn’t recognize the picture as being from the “Lionel Postwar Library”, due to the cropping of its frame.
Beside that fact, is the postwar and newer Lionel T.M.C.C. FM the same length?
Ralph
Ralph
Yes.
Rob
Thank You, Rob,
Ralph
Well Tull never responded so we still don’t know what engine he/she has. A TM probably, but which one?
OLDER FM TRAINMASTER LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN MILWAUKEE ROAD. I just listed it on Ebay under that title. I couldn’t get back right away and I couldn’t get any pictures to load on to the site correctly. I just described it the best I could as I figured train people would know what it was anyway. I do want to thank you for your interest and attempts to help. Sincerely, Karen
I think from the packaging that this was part of a batch that Jerry Williams ordered ages ago, but was liquidated for the Korean manufacturer by Mike’s Train House (the hobby shop) and NOT sold as a Williams train. I believe they were sold under the “Custom Trains” banner. There was an advert on p102 of the May 93 issue, and several other issues around that time.
Karen,
You may want to change the scale from H.O. to “O”. Your engine is twice the width of an H.O. scale train, runs on AC instead of DC, and runs on 3-rail track instead of 2-rail track. It will also sell for a lot more!
Jon [8D]
Thank you Jon. I just added that category to the search on my listing. Karen
Can you restart the auction? You’re liable to miss bidders who want O and see your “HO” line, if you don’t sell it to an HO-scaler who will want his money back.
It’s a 3-rail O-scale model of a Fairbanks-Morse H-24-66 “Train Master” locomotive (not a railcar), painted in the colors of the Milwaukee Road railroad. The hand holding the weight is the Fairbanks-Morse trademark.
It has that metal piece in the middle of the wheels. Is that what makes it a 3 rail? Anyway, It is now listed under O and HO. I left another revision telling bidders what you said. Now it will come up in both searches but with your information now on there people will know what they are buying. Thanks, Karen
Yes. Most model trains are powered through the track and require two connections to their power source. Two-rail trains, including most HO, use the two individual rails for those connections. Three-rail trains, which are mostly O, use both outside rails together for one connection and a third rail in the center of the track for the other connection.