Found this in the previously mentioned "box of tin junk" at Barry's, I know it is a 442 diner, but has the base and landscaping been replaced? The trees and flowers look old enough, but a green base? Interested in comments from others. Thanks!
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I'm pretty sure those are replacements (base and landscaping).
Take a look at just about any image that will pop up if you do a search on 442 Diner and you'll see what an original looks like.
For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL...;hash=item3cc995802a
Stairs look original. Landscaping is not. Base looks repainted. The brick base is not original (looks better). The Diner has bubbling paint above left window. Rubber stamped EAT is off to the left on both sides. Whole Diner probably repainted.
Upon further looking at the diner, it appears that the beige paint was redone, as it has a lot of runs in the paint, which I am sure that Lionel wouldn't have allowed to leave the factory looking as it does. Since I don't have one, I am happy with it, especially for the price (cheap). It will look fine on my table when I get it cleared off and landscaped.
In addition the windows are wrong too.
The steps are too narrow.
needs ramp for ADA access.
It's a fake, it's a fake, it's a fake... It's an original diner Made in China
China? 
Rather than calling it a fake I'd rather see it as homemade. Back in the ancient days, before MTH reproductions, there was something of a cottage industry in these. If you think about it, it's a project begging to happen: on old passenger car, some loofa sponge from the craft store...
This was particularly true for Standard Gauge, since Lionel only made the O gauge version. I bought mine from an older gentleman who made these to sell, and honestly, I'm pretty impressed:
The extra signs are mine that I added, the guy who made it was true to the original. The base is gray, it looks lighter in the photo. And those are 1:24 figures and cars, for scale. I believe this is made out of a 337 car?
Here's my MTH #42 for comparison, on the O Gauge layout (it's a fake!
):
and a couple others, a Marx O and the McCoy Standard:
Don't forget some of the gems that came from Madison Hardware. I think it was CTT that did an article on the Madison Hardware creations quite a while back.
Steve
Very nice. I like the Airstream-style aluminum siding.
What car was Train Doctor's diner made out of?
you're right Steve, I just read that article.
here's one I made a couple years ago.
According to the Doyle reference for Prewar locos it was made from a #610 coach.
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