We are offering a copy of the Car Builders Dictionary, 1879 and republished in 1971. The book measures 8' X 5"X 1.75" and is in fair condition for it's age. The book is being donated by our member, FiaFan, and  will be shipped from his address. The donor of this book has generously offered to pay shipping charges on this item, so consider that when you make your bid. We will limit that to the Contiguous US and Canada though.

Now, let’s get started. We are offering this over 50-year old book to the highest bidder. Here are the bidding rules:

1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the book.
   
   
2. Please keep you bid raises in increments of at least fifty cents and preferably a dollar or more. 
   
   
3. You can bid publicly by posting it in this thread. This thread is for bidding only; any comments or questions should be made in this "questions" thread or  by PM to either ezdays or ngauger. Non-bid posts will be deleted from this thread.
   
   
4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf, (we will post the bid amount, but keep your name confidential, just like at those big auction houses). You may also want to give us the maximum you would want to go and we’ll bid for you by adding fifty cents above the last bid, up the maximum that you have set, again, just like Christie’s does for the big boys.
   
   
5. The auction will run until midnight, EST, February 25th, at which time we will announce the winner and ship the book to them.
   
   
6. The successful bidder will pay all shipping costs. It will be shipping from the US via USPS mail or UPS if cheaper.
   
   
7. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.
   
   

A Conrail manifest freight drifting downgrade circa early fall, 1977    
Charlie

I was just looking though the email sent to me by Model Railroader and noticed that there was an HO engine that they were taking orders for. This one you needed to place your order by 3-29-23, and expect the engine sometime in the spring of 2024. That means they aren't even tooled up for manufacturing and may not if they don't get enough pre-orders. There is no other industry that I know that does this. Some industries, like custom furniture will make you something to order, but to show you a manufactured product that doesn't exist in hopes that they can sell enough up front to justify manufacturing them, or they just cancel all the orders.

There is no risk to the manufacturer and I think that is an absurd way to do business. "Oh boy, I really like the pictures of that Boffo II pickup truck, can I see one?". The automobile sales guy, "well, we're taking pre-orders and Ford says that if we sell enough they will start tooling up so you have have yours in about two years, will that be cash or credit?".

How effective is this? How many of you actually do pre-order and wait a year for delivery? Is that engine or car that unique that it's worth paying for it a year in advance? I'm not saying that it's wrong, but I'm at the age that if I see something I want, than I want it now, and sometimes even a back order on an existing product is unacceptable.

YPMA-02 performing switching duties at Mannheim Yard.

Bruce

   

The EBT has fired up #16 and it is going back in service.     
Charlie

Please use this thread should you have any questions regarding any of our auctions. They will be answered as quickly as we can.

Use the specific auction thread to place your bids on that item.

2023 Fund Raising auction #1: A 1901 document from the American Locomotive Company---

Well folks, this is the kickoff to our 2023 fund drive. We opened as Big Blue Train Forums on December 17, 2008 and have kept our promise of no ads and no sponsors. This is one way to help get the much-needed funds to keep us going, but a way to give something back in return. We're opening an auction with a document that is even older than me, it is a 1901 stockholders information sheet for the American Locomotive Company. It is in reasonable shape for being 122 years old, there is one tear and some fraying on the edges, but that dark line in the middle does not exist, but there is a fold line there. This photo was made by combining the photos of the top and bottom halves. It is somewhat yellowed with age and may appear a bit different in color than the photo, but it is suitable for framing It measures approximately 8 1/2" x 11 1/2". It would be a fine addition to your railroad memorabilia collection or just hanging on the wall in your train room. It has been donated to the cause by Jim Currie and we sincerely thank Jim for that.

   

Now, let’s get started. We are offering this 122 year old document to the highest bidder. Here are the bidding rules:

1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the car.
   
2. Please keep you bid raises in increments of at least fifty cents and preferably a dollar or more. 
   
3. You can bid publicly by posting it in this thread. This thread is for bidding only; any comments or questions should be made in this "questions" thread or  by PM to either ezdays or ngauger. Non-bid posts will be deleted from this thread.
   
4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf, (we will post the bid amount, but keep your name confidential, just like at those big auction houses). You may also want to give us the maximum you would want to go and we’ll bid for you by adding fifty cents above the last bid, up the maximum that you have set, again, just like Christie’s does for the big boys.
   
5. The auction will run until February 15th, at which time we will announce the winner and ship the document to them.
   
6. The successful bidder will pay all shipping costs. It will be shipping from the US via USPS mail.
   
7. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.
   

The 2023 NASCAR Fantasy Racin' League is up.......
It's absolutely FREE to join in.  It's just for fun!!!!

https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9696

Here's the Place!!

We're looking forward to Daytona in 3 weeks!!  February 19th!!!!!

Reply here if you would like to join in!!!!
All you have to do is choose 3 drivers and check in to see your team's standings.

Remember this is only for bragging rights, no entry fees, no payments, no prizes!!   

The warehouse foreman is telling the conductor of WPMA-40 that they will need another 10 minutes till the car can be released.

Bruce