I found a lionel item at an antique store last Sunday. Needed some TLC and a couple of parts, but what do you guys think? Do you guys know anything about them?
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The only thing I know about them are they're pre-war and cool as heck!
Good find.
Yes, a very good find. Yours is in quite good condition for a 'toy' built prior to WW2!
Originally Posted by brr:
The only thing I know about them are they're pre-war and cool as heck!
Good find.
I agree, but I have never come across these at any train show in the last ten plus years in Detroit. was wondering why lionel even ventured into this market.
Just went to Ron Hollander's All Aboard, and on page 134 is a picture of two boats with a caption that reads " Trying to reach a wider market, Lionel offered wind-up speedboats during the depression. The boats were each $3.50 and-according to the catalog-ran for four minutes on one winding."
Originally Posted by brr:
Just went to Ron Hollander's All Aboard, and on page 134 is a picture of two boats with a caption that reads " Trying to reach a wider market, Lionel offered wind-up speedboats during the depression. The boats were each $3.50 and-according to the catalog-ran for four minutes on one winding."
Very interesting...it would have been cool had they continued in this market along with the trains.
Gold strike! First finding anything train related in an antique shop, and then something that sounds uncommon with the Lionel name on it,
Are the figures original? I really can't tell, The one on the PBS link above does not have them.
Originally Posted by colorado hirailer:
Gold strike! First finding anything train related in an antique shop, and then something that sounds uncommon with the Lionel name on it,
I agree with you that its a very uncommon item for lionel. I wonder how rare these are though. I have been in the train hobby for sometime this is the first original I have seen. That is why I jumped on it when I saw it.
Originally Posted by yamaha226:
Are the figures original? I really can't tell, The one on the PBS link above does not have them.
Figures are reproduction. The boat had a few condition issues but overall original. I do not expect prefection on an item of this age. It runs and displays well.
Fantastic. I am very jealous. Lovey boat. I have looked for one (and original) for years.
Good find!
Originally Posted by Lee Willis:
Fantastic. I am very jealous. Lovey boat. I have looked for one (and original) for years.
Good find!
Thanks Lee. FYI really enjoy your work and posts keep up the good work.....
RL,
Great PreWar find, a very nice old piece of Tin Plate, in decent shape. You lucky dog!
PCRR/Dave
Did you try them out in your bathtub yet ?
Originally Posted by CHOO-CHOO MIKE:
Did you try them out in your bathtub yet ?
No not yet.
I'm no expert, but they are very cool Prewar toys by Lionel. I first saw one at the Toy Train Museum in Strasberg, Pa.
I was never lucky enough to find an original but I have been able to pick up a reproduction of a streamlined engine at York. It's a fun wind up toy that runs on O-gauge track.
Good luck with yours, it looks to be prewar to me.
