I picked up this set today from my friendly antique dealer. One unit with 2 motors the other unpowered, they show play wear and a little dirty. What intrigues me is that the number boards are upside down ! They appear to be cast in the shell' Is this a common mistake ?? The paint is worn off the numbers but under a glass it is easy to see. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
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Could you please post photos?
What brand / model?
The postwar Lionel 2032 Erie Alco "AA" and the modern era 8109 Erie Alco "ABA" were both made as single motor units.
Itis a Lionel, one motor on the powered unit. There is an E unit on the non-powered truck. The number board on the engineer's side is upside down. Were they molded in or added ?? AS close as I looked it didn't look like it had been messed with. I will try to take a photo by high lighting the numbers with chalk.
If they are the 2032 Erie Alcos the number boards are installed from inside the shell. They are plastic that emits a glow from the headlight
Thanks. So it was either assembled wrong or done after the fact. I might pull the shell to look inside. The red plastic light is missing. I like the Erie look. The book says they are excellent runners. Haven't tried to run it yet.
If they are the 2032 Erie Alcos the number boards are installed from inside the shell. They are plastic that emits a glow from the headlight.
Actually, they press in from the outside. There is a left and a right number board. They only go in one way with the numbers oriented correctly. The background area of the board should be black (paint or ink). Only the raised numbers and a round dot are transparent.
If the numbers are upside down on one side, it sounds like a lost board was replaced with one for the other side.
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