TIN TOY ARCADE https://www.tintoyarcade.com/tin-toys?g ... rWEALw_wcB

Thanks for the link. There's some nice looking stuff there, ordered a few pieces, possible candidates for O-gauge use.

Saw this repro of a Paya trolley on the store-site, couldn't resist for $6.75 plus $3.99 shipping. I figured this might be a good candidate for re-motoring for O-gauge.


A few observations:

- Its manufacture is pretty flimsy, all tab-and-slot assembly, no soldering of any joints, and the tin is pretty lightweight, so it took a beating in shipment. There's a few spots that will require some straightening.

- The mechanical motor (windup) is very weak and fidgety. Even if it had flanged wheels, which it does not, I doubt it could make it around a 27" circle of track more than once. Either a stronger mechanical motor will be required, or a step up to electric with an open-frame or can motor/chassis will be needed.

- The lithography is good, bright, and the trolley pole seems pretty sturdy. Proportionally, the body looks about right for O-gauge.

If I ever get around to converting it, I'll post some pictures. Could be a fun project.

I've seen many pieces on that site that are unfortunately wind-up; I prefer battery operated....

The wind-up motor that came with the Paya trolley repro was really a poor effort. That and the fact that it comes without flanged wheels makes re-motoring a necessity (if you plan to run it on your tinplate layout). A few guys I know have re-motored them using Marx running gear, so I just need to hunt around and find a donor. A fun project, one of many in the project pile, lol.

Hi there, kind of off topic---looking for a small to mid-size BATTERY OPERATED TROLLEY--PREFERABLY METAL BUT PLASTIC will do....if you come across anything, please let me know....thanks!

Any particular scale?

not too big; not too small!

Haven't seen any battery-powered trolleys. Most I have found are either 3-rail transformer-powered or mechanical (and the mechanisms in the mechanical versions are miserable). Most of the new tin stuff is pretty flimsy in construction, not suitable for much other than display. If I see something, I'll flip you a link.