I received a couple goodies today... From Japan..

[ripley802]

Hello all. Well I finally received a package well actually 2 from Japan. One is the Patchwork HIRO. Very excited for this one. He was a bit pricey but worth it for me. HIRO is a favorite character for me so it was a mist have. I would have liked a bit more on the tender but otherwise it is a great train. And next we have the C571 engine which comes with a pla-kid I believe is what they are called. This is my first one like this, so o must say it is pretty cool too. I was not thinking it was tender driven, but it is all good. Finally I picked up the "snow storm" Oliver on eBay. I had a regular one but sold it awhile back so it is nice to add this back to the collection. Snow storm Kelly is on the way as well.

[Super]

Very nice additions to your collection Ripley. I too wish Hiro's tender was also patchworked but my guess is that in the story/episode Hiro was abandoned and deteriorating without his tender and a new tender was given to him after he was repaired.

It was in the special Hero of the Rails, and his tender was not patchworked, so it's actually correct.

[ripley802]

Yeah, I realize this is the correct design, just wish they would have had one "patchworked".. Not a huge issue, I still like it.

[ripley802]

Here is the last item I was waiting on in my Amazon order. Nice little train..

[Super]

The Sonic is pretty robotic looking. I always thought the real trains front resembled an insect face.

Sweet! Someday I will get another train...