MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Buying, Restoring, and making accessories
javinda
Posts: 286
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:03 am

MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by javinda »

winced36
Posts: 631
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

Seeing that reminds me I need to run down a few of the small Lionel transformers. I've been wanting to put together some basic sets to hand out to various young nephews...got everything but a suitable power-pack. One can usually find these on eBay for just a few dollars (shipping often costs more than the transformer).

Paul II
winced36
Posts: 631
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

Here's a Lionel 93 water tower I acquired many years ago:
Lionel 93 water tower
Lionel 93 water tower
Lionel 93.jpg (168.55 KiB) Viewed 23560 times
This accessory was manufactured first during the prewar era, produced in a number of color combinations. After WWII, it was again offered until 1950 in this aluminum/red scheme. This one is in as-found condition, with the exception of having replaced the "Lionel Lines" decal with a reproduction. The spout can be manually raised/lowered, but otherwise it's a scenery piece.
winced36
Posts: 631
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

MTH made a rather ornate "Operating Street Clock" for a few years, a piece that was original for them (not a reproduction of another manufacturer's production):
MTH "Operating Street Clock"
MTH "Operating Street Clock"
MTH Street Clock.jpg (214.13 KiB) Viewed 22752 times
Since I don't typically wear a watch, having this on the layout is handy. Suitable for both O and Standard gauge, I think they made it in a few different colors. The battery, which it seems to burn through pretty quickly, is replaceable.
javinda
Posts: 286
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:03 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by javinda »

That is very cool!
winced36
Posts: 631
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

Here's a Hornby semaphore I acquired many years ago:
Hornby prewar signal
Hornby prewar signal
Hornby signal.jpg (144.6 KiB) Viewed 21904 times
It can be identified as prewar by its lattice-work center-post (postwar versions had no perforation/embossing). This has been repaired/modified by a previous owner, swapping the tall signal post for a second short one. It needs some additional work, i.e. a good cleaning, the ladder soldered back in position, replace a missing lens, and a rewire of the lights. It's an interesting piece, one we display on our layout.

Paul II
winced36
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Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

Hafner was a prewar manufacturer of toy trains of which I know very little. Much of their product line looks similar to that of Marx, and they seem to generally have priced their toys at the low end of the market. For most of the manufacturers, many of the less expensive items they sold didn't stand up well to years of hard play and use. If/when you find nice examples, they deserve a good look.

I found a few nice Hafner "survivors" recently, which I plan to use in a holiday table display. Here's one of them, a manual double-semaphore signal made sometime before WWII:
Prewar Hafner semaphore
Prewar Hafner semaphore
Hafner semaphore.jpg (166.24 KiB) Viewed 21849 times
They made a single-semaphore version as well, which I understand is much more difficult to find. Originally sold in sets, they are nice sturdy little pieces, belying their down-market placement.

Paul II
winced36
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Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:05 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by winced36 »

Certainly the centerpiece of my humble little layout, the Lionel 305 bridge:
Lionel 305 Hell Gate Bridge
Lionel 305 Hell Gate Bridge
Lionel 305.jpg (230.68 KiB) Viewed 21796 times
This was a reissue of the Lionel 300 bridge from the prewar era, but with a few modifications. Chief among them was the dual O-gauge track capability, which required a slight widening from the original. It also included lighting, absent on the prewar version. Here it is seen in the early green/cream colors, but it was also offered in the later ivory/silver scheme. I use it as part of the "duck-under" for the layout, along with a postwar Korber truss bridge.

Paul II
Howard
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Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 8:52 am
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Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by Howard »

Paul...
Your definition of "humble" is not the same as mine..(and probably a lot of other people's)...it's "impressive" in my eyes... :)
Howard...
javinda
Posts: 286
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:03 am

Re: MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

Post by javinda »

Apparently being made today---Lionel gooseneck lamps https://www.allabouttoytrains.com/colle ... amp-2-pack
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