Flying Yankee/City of Denver Vestibule Mystery

It looks awfully new. Could it be a pride lines?

Hi C. W.,

I am strictly pre and postwar Lionel and know nothing abut Pride Lines.  The yellow housing looks new but I had assumed it was repainted.  Even though my pictures don't show it the skirts are scratched with bits of rust and in only fair condition.

Thanks for your input.

Jim

I am not up on Pride lines either, but I know they made streamliners that were similar to Lionel's. Apparently Pride Lines goes back to 1977, so some of their stuff could have been around long enough to get "worn". I remember reading somewhere that Pride Lines had product in FAO Schwartz during a period when Lionel did not.
I never owned any of their product, but I thought they made nice stuff.

Jim, inspect it closely. It may be that the original tab was broken off at the first bend then someone cleaned it up then drilled a hole there on the remaining piece and mounted a stud in an attempt to do something, possibly install a makeshift pick up strip. You did not show a picture of that angle. The strip is not needed if they removed the lamp housing, can you tell if there was ever a lamp housing there? It's a ?Lionel vestibule. I might have a spare base if you need it to restore that piece.

Gandy

Gandy, like you, a user modification was my first thought. but if it was it was about perfect right down to the rounded corners.  It does look as if there was a lamp  housing at one time. 

If you do find an extra base you want to sell, let me know via my email in my profile.