Lionel 150

Looks like the set box says outfit #294. Is the engine repainted? The green looks too bright for that engine. Are you sure it is a 150? If the nomenclature plate says manufacturing instead of corporation, it pre date 1918. It is probably a early 700 series from 1917. I re-read your post and I overlooked you said corporation on the plate, so scratch the 700 number. It probably is a repainted 150 from 1918.

Chuck, thanks for the prompt reply.  The green is actually not as bright as it appears in the photo.  As an old Army guy, I guess I would describe it as OD green. It's a darker green than appears in the photo. The markings "NY Central Lines" and "150" are still visible but faint from normal wear and usage.  I don't believe the engine has been repainted.  I am sure that it is a 150.  The nomenclature plate contains the exact words I described in my post - Corporation.  Thanks for your reply. 

OK, nice find!

Emmet, Your 150 would date 1918 due to the “Corporation” pick up plate.  The 1917 plate had Manufacturing.  The only Set# would be #160, containing 2 Pullman cars in maroon, 88 rheostat, & 8 curve track.  The set box you show  would be #294, which was for a 252 loco, and there are No Set 204.  This info was from Greenberg’s Guide to Prewar Sets, Vol. IV.  The description of Set 160, is from page26, and there is a photo of this set, on page 75.

Definitely a Nice GIFT from your friend!!!

great gift! welcome to the forum!

Teledoc, thanks for the information & Dave - thanks for welcoming me aboard.  I'm really glad I found this forum.  Yes, it was an amazing gift from my friend.  And apart from the gift - he's a wonderful person & friend. He also gave me a 1948 American Flyer 322 Hudson in clean condition, several S gauge cars and an assortment of Plasticville structures, all of which had belonged to his Dad and have been sitting in boxes for 50 years.  The 150 and 322 were both clean although not in working condition but I found 2 local model train restoration experts, one who specializes in Lionel, the other in AF.  For $25 a piece (including parts)  both locos were fully restored and run great. The gentlemen (a TCA member) who restored the 322 also gave me (again as a gift) a vintage AF transformer (Model 8B, 100 W).  Twenty+ years ago, I purchased a 1947 Lionel Model 2025 steamer, several freight cars vintage 1940s, and a Lionel Model 1033 90W transformer.  Prior to receiving the 150 and the 322, I did not have O gauge or S gauge layouts set up.  I do now!!  In December, I turned a room I was using for storage into my "vintage" train layout with side-by-side O and S gauge tracks.  Nothing fancy.  I just enjoy watching them go around in circles.  Being able to now run HO, S and O gauge trains --  I am truly in train heaven.  The other day I submitted my application for TCA membership and am looking forward to attending the York, PA train meet in April for the first time.   Attached are 3 photos of the new "vintage" train room followed by 3 photos of my separate "work-in-progress" HO layout.  Again, thanks! 

Great looking HO layout, very nice buildings.

Wylie - thanks.  It's coming along.  Slowly but surely.  Well, slowly anyway.  

Emmett