Lionel Dealer layout on ebay

From my k book on "Classic Lionel Display Layouts", it appears to be a D-132 display although from the picture in the book the controls on your layout seem to be on a different side than where it's depicted in the book. Also the#397 accessory that you list is not listed in the books list of accessories. The book lists a #394 rotating beacon. I hope this helps you.

See Below! It's a D62!

Yes very similar but I had not seen a display with a spur through a canyon and the fonts labeled on the control panel are correct as well. Wiring looks to be lionel as well so I believe it is a one off sample for a store account

While at first it looks like the D-132, one major thing gives it away that it is not.   The upper level on the 132 was on a southwest to northeast axis, so to speak.   Also, no canyon thru the middle.  Finally the controls for 132 were on the train board itself.

I think JAGRICK is correct that this is one of the one-offs that Lionel would do.    I haven't seen this in my Roger Carp  book or a couple other references I have.

Looks like it could be a homemade job someone did roughly trying to copy a Lionel layout.

 I still think it’s a Lionell product because most reproduction do not have the busbars and the exact routing of the wires . Also the lettering on the control panel is an unusual font that line are used on their track display boards of the 1950s as well.  This is an item I’m going to try to purchase and restore so hopefully in the near future if I am successful in obtaining this I will detail the restoration and repair I plan to use the same construction techniques with the Silastic mountain material and casein   based paint below is picture of track display with same font

Definitely Lionel like and maybe even Lionel.  Would be cool if the seller had some paper documentation to go with it. Could the water stains be cleaned off?  I'd love that layout, but too rich for my blood. 

I know, but a written statement from the store for example would be superior,  not likely I know, but it would leave no doubt.  Don't get me wrong, Ti looks pretty Lionel-ish to me though I am not an expert nor have I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express lately!  One thing I would consider is that I think in some pictures of other Lionel built layouts I have seen narrow tinplate strips used at bussbars for ganged wires and that one looks like a rats nest where it goes to the control panel.  Is it possible that someone moved the panel post factory and didn't do such a clean job? Anyone see any mounting holes for wires on the other end of the platform?  Just thinking out loud.

Duh on the bussbars, I looked right past them!  I think it's factory as well Rick.  It's in Ohio, you could go look at it. I'm in Lafayette, too far for me at that price.  Besides I'm about ready to send my old 911 off for some metal work and that is going to hurt my wallet!

Also if you look at picture of control panel there are 2 holes on the layout and that is where they would halv bolted the control panel for shipping lionel did that for their side mount panels

Dennis Holler posted:

Duh on the bussbars, I looked right past them!  I think it's factory as well Rick.  It's in Ohio, you could go look at it. I'm in Lafayette, too far for me at that price.  Besides I'm about ready to send my old 911 off for some metal work and that is going to hurt my wallet!

Well hopefully not too much ton worm in your 911 now my jag.........

I FOUND IT!  

IT's a D62!

Pictures of the Original Lionel ad & price [pg8] as well as a color photo of the "real Deal" [Pg82]of one are in the K book "Lionel Trains Best Layouts & Store Displays" [sold Winter 2015]

Originally the Display sold in the 1950's for $250.00

What is interesting to note is the Original Lionel Dealer ad shows a truss bridge while the Color photo in the book has as pictured in the Ebay sale the double girder bridge.

Good eye, I have that book but haven't looked through it in a while

Jagrick posted:

Dennis Holler posted:

Duh on the bussbars, I looked right past them!  I think it's factory as well Rick.  It's in Ohio, you could go look at it. I'm in Lafayette, too far for me at that price.  Besides I'm about ready to send my old 911 off for some metal work and that is going to hurt my wallet!

Well hopefully not too much ton worm in your 911 now my jag.........

Yeah, that is where we are going. Termites went wild up front plus some very old accident damage.  Looking like about 180 hours for the structural stuff front to rear...  Yeah not for the feint of heart, but then again I could waste that money on a new minivan  that and these days a nice Jag or early 911 don't come cheap!

Dennis Holler posted:

Jagrick posted:

Dennis Holler posted:

Duh on the bussbars, I looked right past them!  I think it's factory as well Rick.  It's in Ohio, you could go look at it. I'm in Lafayette, too far for me at that price.  Besides I'm about ready to send my old 911 off for some metal work and that is going to hurt my wallet!

Well hopefully not too much ton worm in your 911 now my jag.........

Yeah, that is where we are going. Termites went wild up front plus some very old accident damage.  Looking like about 180 hours for the structural stuff front to rear...  Yeah not for the feint of heart, but then again I could waste that money on a new minivan  that and these days a nice Jag or early 911 don't come cheap!

Amen to that and the 911 will never go out of style but these cars were never to last as long as this

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I FOUND IT!  

IT's a D62!

Pictures of the Original Lionel ad & price [pg8] as well as a color photo of the "real Deal" [Pg82]of one are in the K book "Lionel Trains Best Layouts & Store Displays" [sold Winter 2015]

Originally the Display sold in the 1950's for $250.00

What is interesting to note is the Original Lionel Dealer ad shows a truss bridge while the Color photo in the book has as pictured in the Ebay sale the double girder bridge.

Awesome find!!

Are boneless chickens jello like?

Dennis Holler posted:

Are boneless chickens jello like?

Only if you sprinkle some Tumeric on them.

Guys,

I understand the desire to own an original  xyz Lionel anything from the 40's and 50's and the thought that Mr. Cowen may have had something to do with its design.  But in all reality, $2500 for that scrap pile is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much money.   Don't get sucked into buying things like this.  You can make your own with that money and it will run perfectly.  

I honestly hate seeing people being sucked into deals like this due to their enthusiasm for the hobby.  Don't let the Train Sickness get to you.   I've battelled that same sickness some years back but at times it rears its ugly head.    

So think it over carefully, I wish you all the very best.

The best copy is never as valuable to a true collector as the original.

And it is only original once.

Original Lionel buildings & accessories for this are easy to find, but factory built layouts are not.

This one is 2000 miles to far away for me, but if it were closer....

But in all reality, $2500 for that scrap pile is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much money.

If you don't think it's worth the money, then don't buy it.
Perhaps someone else does.

People have paid lots more for empty boxes.

What a lot of people don’t understand is the desire to preserve history. I have restored cars and put more money into them and they are worth but they have been saved for Posterity. I would hate to see this display be relegated to the scrap pile or simply destroyed or not restored to its former glory if possible

That is exactly what it is about.  

Anybody can buy something new, anybody can only appreciate what is new or cheapest and ignore or forget what came before and how we got from there to here, anybody can pay to have something done for them and miss the satisfaction of doing something ones self. We all have our likes and dislikes, differences of thoughts and opinions are what make each of us unique. Without that the world would be super boring.

Its good that not everyone likes or wants old junk though because thats makes the hunt easier and cheaper for the rest of us. There's room for us all, lets go run some trains!

Nice find. Definitely needs some work but always interesting to hear about those old displays. This one was originally in a department store.

Looks like the seller has editing his listing as the D-62 identifier now appears in the main heading.

Guys,

I've purchased many an item that needed work and looks great after the restoration.  The point I'm trying to make is, this table as "original" as it may be isn't worth the asking price.   Your confusing true value vs. some fictional value only because it is a "rare find"  and deserves preservation.   

I can only imagine how amazed the workmen would be who build this table, to see how passionate some folks are for preserving $35.00 worth of materials in 1950 currency.  

I appreciate historical items very much, but I'm also a realest in that, I'm not going to have my passion for saving history used against me to over pay for something that doesn't deserve that kind of money.   In all honestly, maybe I'd give him $200 max. That's it.   And that's only because it comes with a metal frame. 

$2,500 is a lot of money unless you have a tree out back behind your house that produces Benjamin Franklins.  

Also examining the advertisement for the D-62 you can see how it changed from original to final. On the advert the picture as shown would require 6 switches, but only 5 are listed. Looks like they eliminated on spur line and moved the coal ramp down one and rerouted the road.

Looking back at those pics, I realized I'm not familiar with that three button controller. From the label appears that it was used with the 456 coal ramp.

Yes not a common accessory on dealer layouts 

I like this one because the outer loop runs the big passenger cars

NOT my "cup of tea", but good luck with your find! :-)

Allegheny posted:

Guys,

I've purchased many an item that needed work and looks great after the restoration.  The point I'm trying to make is, this table as "original" as it may be isn't worth the asking price.   Your confusing true value vs. some fictional value only because it is a "rare find"  and deserves preservation.   

I can only imagine how amazed the workmen would be who build this table, to see how passionate some folks are for preserving $35.00 worth of materials in 1950 currency.  

I appreciate historical items very much, but I'm also a realest in that, I'm not going to have my passion for saving history used against me to over pay for something that doesn't deserve that kind of money.   In all honestly, maybe I'd give him $200 max. That's it.   And that's only because it comes with a metal frame. 

$2,500 is a lot of money unless you have a tree out back behind your house that produces Benjamin Franklins.  

What makes you qualified to tell us what the "true value" is?

Value is simply what someone will pay. I won't or you won't but if someone else does, then it is.  Besides, nowhere has anyone here said they were going to go after this layout. Rick my build one though!

I still like the allure of an original piece knowing that countless children once drooled over it. When I restore these I preserve as much as possible and use original scenery materials as well or reproduce the same way it was made. I have never done an 8X8 layout because of the space required but tempted to go after this and make the roon.

A very wise collector friend of mine once stated that any object is really only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and nothing more. Sentimental attachment may be valid for the owner, but really does not concern the potential buyer. 

Well said 

Tinplate Art posted:

A very wise collector friend of mine once stated that any object is really only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and nothing more. Sentimental attachment may be valid for the owner, but really does not concern the potential buyer. 

Well said, look at the $250,000 Broadway limited or the $20,000 D 187 Ferris wheel (which later sold at auction for $4,000). I pay what I am comfortable with for an item and enjoy it.

When the "fever" hits, and "ya just gotta have it", then the deal is already done at ANY price!  Been there, done that!               

Tinplate Art posted:

When the "fever" hits, and "ya just gotta have it", then the deal is already done at ANY price!  Been there, done that!               

That’s why live auctions can be dangerous!

Dennis Holler posted:

Duh on the bussbars, I looked right past them!  I think it's factory as well Rick.  It's in Ohio, you could go look at it. I'm in Lafayette, too far for me at that price.  Besides I'm about ready to send my old 911 off for some metal work and that is going to hurt my wallet!

Also in your defense, when I reproduce the stuff I do place bus bars and use cloth wiring where indicated.

Well it was worth $2500 to someone!  It just sold a few minutes ago, so good luck with the restoration to whoever bought it!  Lets hope it’s someone that lets us see the process in a thread. 

Guilty😔