Lionel D-263 dealer layout

https://ogrforum.com/t...-and-postwar-layouts

JD

Here's what I could come up with

Moonman posted:

Here's what I could come up with

Moonman, thanks.  I've got this picture, but your picture is much clearer.  What I was hoping for was an actual picture of one, i.e. someone who actually owns one and/or one from an auction, etc.

Steve

What do you need to see? The green color varies due to age and when the layout was made. Some photos in the dealer layout thread help a lot with colors. There's photos of Super O era originals.

There's probably a color photograph in the Classic Toy Trains special issue on Lionel Dealer Displays. That issue came out about a year ago and featured most, not all, of the Dealer Displays.

johnstrains posted:

There's probably a color photograph in the Classic Toy Trains special issue on Lionel Dealer Displays. That issue came out about a year ago and featured most, not all, of the Dealer Displays.

There is, I believe as as well

Moonman posted:

What do you need to see? The green color varies due to age and when the layout was made. Some photos in the dealer layout thread help a lot with colors. There's photos of Super O era originals.

I'm curious if any were ever ordered and/or delivered.  I've never seen one in an auction or anything like that.

johnstrains posted:

There's probably a color photograph in the Classic Toy Trains special issue on Lionel Dealer Displays. That issue came out about a year ago and featured most, not all, of the Dealer Displays.

I have the special issue, there is not.  In fact, it is skipped over, actual pics go from a D-262 to a D-264,

Moonman posted:

Here's what I could come up with

Oh, and one more thing.  You all should look closely at the picture that Moonman posted.  The helicopter car must have been a prototype because I've never seen one with that type of helicopter.

RideTheRails posted:

johnstrains posted:

There's probably a color photograph in the Classic Toy Trains special issue on Lionel Dealer Displays. That issue came out about a year ago and featured most, not all, of the Dealer Displays.

I have the special issue, there is not.  In fact, it is skipped over, actual pics go from a D-262 to a D-264,

I've got the DVD with all of the Lionel Display Layouts. Has a picture, track plan and wiring for each. It looks like (from above) that you already have the black and white picture (which is what I have) but if you're interested in the other items I can email to you.

D-263 artist concept with engineering wiring etc? Or not enough interest or pre-orders

RideTheRails posted:

Moonman posted:

Here's what I could come up with

Oh, and one more thing.  You all should look closely at the picture that Moonman posted.  The helicopter car must have been a prototype because I've never seen one with that type of helicopter.

You may have identified a unicorn. The instructions are dated 1959. I cannot find any digital evidence of one either. The only person that I can think of that may have an idea is Bob Osterhoff, TrainPaper.com.

The missile launching car on the circle of Super "O", right behind the locomotive is also a prototype.
Looking carefully at the picture, it looks more like an artists rendering to me, as opposed to being a photograph.
(I guess RRMAN already noted this)

Also, note that the control area includes two Postwar Lionel #91 electromagnetic, adjustable circuit breakers.

Perhaps this was designed for the department store channel, like some sets. Does anyone know of another collector/historian of things Lionel besides Bob O?

Any TCA members that could contact the museum/library?

C W Burfle posted:

Also, note that the control area includes two Postwar Lionel #91 electromagnetic, adjustable circuit breakers.

One is for the outside track D/U, one is for the inside circle A/U. The trolley bumper track C/U has none.

I remember reading somewhere (probably in CTT) that sometimes there were scheduling conflicts between delivery of new accessories and the production of Lionel Dealer Displays by the shop. Some accessories made it in time, others didn’t. Might explain the appearance of prototypes in some of the display photos.

I know that for the layout I’m building (the D-105) the 497 coaling station was brand new that year (’53?) and while it did appear in the layout picture it didn’t always make it to dealers in time for inclusion on the display.