Re: (ET) Free range still around?

[Darryl McMahon <darryl econogics com>]

Is there something in the air around ETs, or some pheromone that 
attracts a certain kind of person?

I have two fantasy projects I would like to try some day, starting based 
on chopping and welding two ETs.

The first is to make a tiny replica 2-2-4-4 train engine using the ET 
wheels, two steering assemblies and 2 drive motors, and a cute cab to 
provide the engineer some protection from sun, rain and snow.  I'm 
imagining it in bright red, and able to pull a couple of small cars with 
seating for 4 (2 across and face to face).

The second part is an electric air powered (rather than steam) calliope 
which will programmable to play music, starting with Christmas carols.

So far, I have the 2 ETs, and access to a scrapper, the welder and 
cutting equipment.  Now I need an empty garage and a replenished toy fund.

Regarding vendors, I have purchased from both Jim and Harold, and so 
long as they are willing, I intend to continue doing so.

As I recall, my last interaction with Jim was done by email.

Darryl

On 2026-07-21 2:59 p.m., Graham Allan wrote:
> Same here, I hope it's still a somehow rewarding experience for our 
> vendors (especially Jim and Harold), since I'm sure these enterprises 
> must be as much a labor of love as anything else.
>
> Funny you should mention a reproducing piano - sometime within the last 
> 10 years I was biking to work here at University of Minnesota, taking a 
> slightly different route from normal, and I was astounded to pass a 
> player piano repair shop. Not something I expected to see anywhere! It 
> was Barton Payer Piano, now retired, but someone else carried the 
> practice on in Rum River MN - https://www.rumriverrestoration.com.
> Probably not directly useful for you, but their FAQ does have links to 
> some other resources for parts, etc (which you probably already know).
>
> Graham
>
> On 7/21/2026 11:48 AM, Chris Zach via Elec-trak wrote:
> > Understood. It's a problem; the vendors here have supported these 
> > tractors pretty much since time began. Without them keeping these 
> > running will be a bigger problem.
> >
> > Oddly enough I just got a reproducing piano from 1924, the only 
> > community seems to be on Facebook. Blah. So I built my own forum for 
> > it, no ads, no BS.
> >
> > C
> >
> > On 7/21/26 11:46, Graham Allan wrote:
> > > Not much of a useful reply, but I experienced the same broken 
> > > checkout back in 2023 - I emailed, and Jim sent me a paypal invoice 
> > > with calculated shipping. So the broken checkout doesn't necessarily 
> > > mean they aren't still around.
> > >
> > > Graham
> > >
> > > On 7/20/2026 2:42 PM, Chris Zach via Elec-trak wrote:
> > > > Morning!
> > > >
> > > > I need a pair of 4mfd 660 volt capacitors for my tractors; went to 
> > > > Free Range and the checkout seems to be broken at the shipping type 
> > > > option (username and password for USPS is incorrect).
> > > >
> > > > Is Free Range still around?
>
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