TRAIN TIME: Veteran's Day Running Session On The Milwaukee North Western Train Layout

 Every year I try to do something a bit different with my tributes. Most of the time it's simply running cars I haven't run before. Such was the case this year as I put together a load of flat cars hauling Auburn Rubber Co. Army vehicles. Last years run used the same flatcars but hauling Pyro Army vehicles. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #610 Pickup Truck - Red SP

I was a bit surprised to find this truck in the bin full of cars I've been photographing as I totally don't remember having one of these. It's in decent enough shape and measures 4.625" (11.74cm) L x 1.625" (4.12cm) W x 1.25" (3.17cm) H. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #576 Police Car - OD SP

New to my Auburn fleet this year is this #576 Police Car in olive drab. What I liked about Auburn was that they had a separate line of obvious military vehicles like tanks and halftracks, etc., but then they offered several civilian type vehicles in olive drab to go along with the military toys. These aren't marked as 'Army' in any way, but any kid with imagination back in the day knew just what to use them for and this is a great Military Police car! My sample is a tad rough and both antennas are broken off but I'm okay with it cuz I got it at a good price. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #512 Wonky Hot Rod - Red SP

Here's an interesting piece. While misshapen plastic toys are not unusual, it seems to be a very common malady for Auburn cars and trucks. The overall condition of this hot rod is very good except for that wonky front end. It reminds me of an old Disney cartoon and looks like the hot rod is gingerly trying to walk over the pavement! Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #512 Hot Rod - Orange SP

Here's a good example of the silver detailing that was applied in later versions of these hot rods. Auburn applied that silver detailing to most of its vehicles and it really does make them 'pop'. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #512 Hot Rod - Blue SP Number '9'

Taking a break from the spacemen posts, here's a cool soft vinyl plastic hot rod made by Auburn in the early '50s. These Hot Rods had the numbers '2', '3', '5', '6', '8', or '9' molded onto the doors and trunk. In addition: they came with and without silver detailing; the wheels were yellow, black, or white; and the bodies were molded in a rainbow of colors. Collecting all of the different color/number variations would keep you busy for a long time! I have several of these hot rods but they all have the number '9' on them and as they weren't really a top collecting priority, it isn't likely I'll get anymore. This blue car is apparently an early version as it has no silver detailing and soft vinyl tires. Enjoy! Opa Fritz