* Login   * Register * FAQ    * Search
It is currently Sat May 25, 2013 4:48 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
 [ 13 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Big Thunder Mt. builder's plate?
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:26 pm 
Offline
Fireman
User avatar

Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:00 pm
Posts: 303
Location: Simi Valley
I just saw this auction for what looks like a builders plate from the coaster locomotives. It looks rather shiney and doesn't appear to be curved so its possible that it could be a reproduction. For a builders plate its rather purty.

But would I pay that much for it... :roll:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=110166044807


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:01 pm 
Offline
6000 post engineer
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Made by the late Tom Grace. Very well made. Price paid is up to you.

_________________
Steve

My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:13 pm 
Offline
Fireman
User avatar

Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:00 pm
Posts: 303
Location: Simi Valley
Ah ha. Thanks for the info Steve. If I had the extra cash, I'd go for it.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:48 pm 
Offline
Engineer
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:37 am
Posts: 946
Location: Hollister,CA
it looks new probably by the late Mr. Grace as steve D. said I have one of his bolster covers he made he did great work.

TM

_________________
[IMG:496:140]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/sbsbanner1edit.jpg[/img]

http://www.freewebs.com/sbsrr/


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:03 am 
Offline
3000 post Engineer
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:17 am
Posts: 3815
Location: San Jose, California
I remember when those were more widely available from Tgracefx about a year or two ago. The Buy It Now price back then was in the $130-$150 range...I think.

I was watching that particular auction and the bidders set off some HUGE red lights in my mind. Maybe the bidders' user names being so similar is just a coincidence, but that's just too questionable for me to get involved with that auction. Add that to the fact that they've been bidding up the price of the auction insanely high with LOTS of time left in the auction and that auction just screams out "AVOID AT ALL COSTS" in my mind.

_________________
"Hello folks. Welcome aboard the Disneyland Railroad."

- Thurl Ravenscroft 1914-2005 -

Locoboy5150@hotmail.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:51 am 
Offline
6000 post engineer
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Locoboy5150 wrote:
I remember when those were more widely available from Tgracefx about a year or two ago. The Buy It Now price back then was in the $130-$150 range...I think.

I was watching that particular auction and the bidders set off some HUGE red lights in my mind. Maybe the bidders' user names being so similar is just a coincidence, but that's just too questionable for me to get involved with that auction.
Personally, I'm not sure $230 is "insanely high." My brass plates from Wayne cost me about the same.

As for the names being similar, could this be Ebay's attempt to keep the bidder's IDs private?

I saw these plates in person when I was at the Disney Train Event in June. It was the last time I saw Tom. I remember looking at the plates and thinking, "Boy, I sure hope my Gurley plate from Wayne will be this nice."

_________________
Steve

My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:02 pm 
Offline
3000 post Engineer
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:17 am
Posts: 3815
Location: San Jose, California
Wow, $1282!

What the seller didn't mention was that it's a reproduction. That is, if it's one of the plates originally sold by Tgracefx.

_________________
"Hello folks. Welcome aboard the Disneyland Railroad."

- Thurl Ravenscroft 1914-2005 -

Locoboy5150@hotmail.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:14 am 
Offline
6000 post engineer
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Locoboy5150 wrote:
Wow, $1282!

What the seller didn't mention was that it's a reproduction. That is, if it's one of the plates originally sold by Tgracefx.
I think the only plates available ARE Grace's repros. He took the design from the boiler in the queue area of the ride. That piece, as I recall, isn't nicely-polished brass with a painted background. Maybe someone can get a picture for us.

Either way, that's a stunning amount of money to pay for the plate. Many real RR builder's plates don't fetch that much.

_________________
Steve

My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Big Thunder Mt. builder's plate?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:55 pm 
Offline
Passenger

Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:30 pm
Posts: 3
Hello all and greetings,

I came across the thread researching a builder's plate that I have.

About 10 years ago, I was rummaging through boxes at Tony's Architectural Salvage in Orange looking for parts for a craftsman house that I was restoring and came across a builder's plate.

Unlike the larger 10" plate that was discussed in this thread, this one appears to be the plate used on the actual ride locomotives. It's 7" wide, is curved/bent and the backside is marked "MTV535". I'll post some pictures once I upload the images someplace.

Did anyone reproduce these smaller plates?

Thanks,

Kevin


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Big Thunder Mt. builder's plate?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:56 pm 
Offline
6000 post engineer
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:06 pm
Posts: 7618
Location: Wake Forest, NC
KevinK wrote:

Did anyone reproduce these smaller plates?

I am personally unaware of any other repro builder's plates. The curve is sort of a tell-tale sign--that cost extra money to do, and most people prefer a flat plate for display. Not sure what the markings on the back mean--they could be a pattern number.

Your last name isn't Kidney, is it? :wink:

_________________
Steve

My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and order a copy here: http://www.steampassages.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
 [ 13 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
© 2006-2011 Burnsland.com, Steve Burns. Check out the Information page. All Disney-owned type stuff is property of Disney. No ownership or rights of usage are implied. No endorsement by Disney is implied, either. Surf at your own risk. Look both ways before crossing the street. Live long and prosper.