I had never seen or even knew that Lionel had produced this item until now when I saw one at my local hobby shop. At first I thought that some previous owner had painted it this way but upon inspection I could see that the gray paint completely covered the entire metal surface inside as well as outside. At first I was not interested in purchasing it but then I thought would I ever see another one and since I have a collection of metal bumpers #26 and #260 each different from the other I did purchase it. The store owner told me that he had also purchased a Lionel Electronic Set with the bumper. Does anyone else have a Lionel factory painted gray #26 bumper?
Ed G. Along The New Haven Line Of Metro-North And Amtrak In Westchester County, NY.
Pic from the Bay of one that sold.