I normally don't go to flea markets. When Pam wants to go, I'll sit in the car and read, telling her to take her time.
This time I went and looked at a bunch of junk, literally. There is an antique mall next to the flea market and we strolled over to get out of the heat.
A man had a booth and was selling trains. I looked and he also had a bunch of junk. In the corner, I spied a stack of Athearn Blue Boxes. I found a little honey hole in that corner.
Now, I don't need anymore freight cars. I have to many now and 80% of them aren't even on the layout.
But to my great surprise, these were choice Athearn freight cars. I couldn't let this opportunity pass.
I paid the man $4 each for six Atheran blue boxes. He said he has had these for years and doesn't have layout. He assembled them and put them back in the boxes.
Athearn #1501 is the Texaco tank car. It carries number 270. Athearn released this car in Auguest of 1957. It is new, assembled in the box. There is no dust/dirt or wear on the car. The color is still bright, there is no wheel wear and it has the old Athearn horn hook couplers.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140248-575661096.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140248-575692379.jpeg)
Athearn #1503 is the Mobil Gas tank car and carries #2378. Athearn released this car in August of 1957.
It also is new, assembled in the box with nothing broken of missing. It has no wheel wear and horn hook couplers.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140319-575731114.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140319-575741585.jpeg)
Athearn #1504 is the Union tank car. It carries #10171 and was released in September 1961. Like the others it is new, assembled and in the box. Nothing broken or missing on this one either.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140248-575702025.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140248-575712334.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170526140248-575721547.jpeg)
I have a couple others which I'll share later in the week.
Dang Tom!! Nice find and look to be in mint condition; congrats finding the honey hole.
Nice! ;D
I remember them on hobby shop shelves and model railroad magazine ads. But my hobby stuff/hobby space ratio is already at the limit.
Tom, congratulations on a nice find and deal.
Great find Tom.
Jerry
Quote from: Larry C on May 17, 2026, 02:50:30 PMDang Tom!! Nice find and look to be in mint condition; congrats finding the honey hole.
Larry,
Thanks, they would be mint if not for the assembly. I'm calling them mint anyway!
Tom
Quote from: jbvb on May 17, 2026, 03:03:55 PMI remember them on hobby shop shelves and model railroad magazine ads. But my hobby stuff/hobby space ratio is already at the limit.
James,
Mime is at the limit as well and I have all these cars in my stash. However, this was to good of a deal to pass on.
Tom
Quote from: Rick on May 17, 2026, 04:04:34 PMTom, congratulations on a nice find and deal.
Rick,
Thanks, now that I know he has stuff like this, I'll check back often. Like I said to James, I have all these but too good a deal to pass on.
Tom
Quote from: Jerry on May 17, 2026, 05:05:42 PMGreat find Tom.
Jerry
Jerry,
Yepper, a great find of sure.
Tom
Additional find was Athearn #1571, Conoco single dome tank car. Carries #617 and was released in August 1996.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141021-57584174.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141021-57586931.jpeg)
Virgin wheel sets -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141021-57587381.jpeg)
Athearn #1135 Work Train MOW tanker. Carrioes #11350. Released by Athearn in August 1997. I'll use this one in my work train.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141021-575882475.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141021-575891668.jpeg)
Athearn #1702. ATSF 200 ton crane. I'll repaint this one for the A&S RR. Athearn released this one in March 1960.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141105-575901447.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141105-575911415.jpeg)
These next one was a fantastic find. I found it in an on MDC box. This is definitely not a Roundhouse boxcar.
It is Athearn number 1200, C&NW and carries car number 5609. Athearn released this car in June of 1957. It is very clean and has the old Athearn sprung trucks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141105-57592988.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141138-575942478.jpeg)
It does show a very little wheel wear but is still clean and dirt/dust free.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220526141105-575932010.jpeg)
I use sprung trucks I find at shows and in kits. But my favorite brand is Lindberg They may have been the first model manufacturer to use Delrin (Dupont's version of acetal) plastic.