I am wondering if this #253 Engine is the very rare Type III that is "too rarely traded to establish accurate value" according to David Doyle's 2nd Version of The Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1900-1942. What is puzzling is the engine has "disc" wheels not spoked as mentioned in the description of the Type III version.
Does anyone have any insight or a different opinion about the color before I do may "woohoo" dance?? LOL!
Thanks,
Greg
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Sorry Greg, But it is a repaint. The headlights holes are made for die cast headlights (they should be strap style) and the motor is too late. If you look in photo 6 (bottom shot) the inside is Mojave, which is the original color. The grey one is exceedingly difficult to find... Mojave is common. The grey paint oxidizes badly with time and marks easily. Your 253, while repainted long ago, still has shine and is not blotchy/marked as the original paint would be. Keep lookin!
Oh darn! I see it now...Should have looked "under the hood" LOL! Thanks for the insight.
Just curious, why was the grey paint scheme so short lived? Was it because the paint oxidizing??
The grey paint was used for 4-5 years starting in 1925 or so. In 1929/1930 or so Lionel started to shift to brighter colors, away from greys, tans, and darker greens. The grey was used on 4's, 10's, 251's, and 318's typically. Some 253's and even a 256 has been found with it. The same color was on 208's and 212's. Earlier grey were used on 12's, 112's, 38's, and 42's, interesting that they doing oxidize like the later grey.
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