Big Thunder Mt. builder's plate?

[Rob Fendler]

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...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0166044807

[Steve DeGaetano]

Made by the late Tom Grace. Very well made. Price paid is up to you.

[Rob Fendler]

Ah ha. Thanks for the info Steve. If I had the extra cash, I'd go for it.

[train man]

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

[Locoboy5150]

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.

[Steve DeGaetano]

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."

[Locoboy5150]

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.

[Steve DeGaetano]

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.

[KevinK]

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

[Steve DeGaetano]

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?