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I recently purchased the Lionel Firehouse recently and received today from North Lima Trainworks the power plug that was missing with it. So I set it on my workbench and shot a little video review. This is a nice looking accessory and the action works fine right out of the box, I admit that there's a little too much of the siren for being inside the firehouse for my liking, but I bet a kid would love it! I have the MTH Firehouse on my layout already and the guy sliding down the pole and the fire truck actually coming out of the building, along with siren and other sounds is a real hit to all the kids that see it, it does cost a lot more and this Firehouse looks good in it's own right and will be a nice addition. I looked for this a long while before I finally found one, they don't show up on eBay too often either. Were they only produced in limited numbers? I will weather the exterior some and add some interior enhancements and figures, the car is a MTH Fire chief car, I plan on adding another firetruck to the empty bay.

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Very nice Paul. I have the MTH model and plan to add one of the small Miller Engineering "Bar" signs on the side or rear to replicate what some of the firehouses had (a bar/social club Wink on either the 2nd floor or basement for added income) from the area where I grew up.

Thinking more about it ...I wonder if having a bar in the firehouse affected response times? You haven't truly lived until you attend a wedding reception at a firehall. Big Grin
quote:
Originally posted by Keystone:
Very nice Paul. I have the MTH model and plan to add one of the small Miller Engineering "Bar" signs on the side or rear to replicate what some of the firehouses had (a bar/social club Wink on either the 2nd floor or basement for added income) from the area where I grew up.

Thinking more about it ...I wonder if having a bar in the firehouse affected response times? You haven't truly lived until you attend a wedding reception at a firehall. Big Grin


Funny you mention that since when I got married my wedding reception was in the Brant NY Fire Hall and we had to hire some of the firemen to be our bartenders. In these small country towns and villages the fire station was the center of everything. In Gownada NY where I grew up the fire house also housed the village offices and the local police department including the holding cells. It was the "In" thing to be a member of the volunteer fire departments.
I like this firehouse, but never understood why the door height was so low. Would have been neat to have the truck move out the door a little with the lights flashing. I 'stuffed' a Corgi LaFrance in the empty bay of mine....




With some incidents involving alcohol, firefighters and fire apparatus, and insurance regulations, there was a push here in Jersey to eliminate the 'bar' in some of the municipally-owned firehouses. The 'independent' departments that owned there own buildings and 'halls' weren't affected as much.
i have the MTH version and it is very popular with kids (despite the fact that the guy sliding down the pole is bigger than the truck. at least it comes out the door. however, it takes the turn and stops. then it backs into place.

a better design would have been for it to go completely around the corner and reenter the building through the back.

are there superstreet fire engines?
quote:
Originally posted by John23:
Regarding the price of the Lionel Firehouse, what is "a lot"? Rough idea please? I like the looks of it better than the MTH one.

John

Two that I can remember, coming up on eBay in the last two years...one used went for $140 and there was one with missing tower(or part of it)...when it got to $130, I walked away. At one time there was one for sale without the truck...I think Lionel parts sells the truck for around $50 IIRC. Lionelville Firehouse MSRP is $149.99. I really like the looks of this one too.
Great video!! I recently picked up the same fire station at my local hobby shop in Mt. Airy MD. I too had looked for one for several years and before Christmas happened to find it a the hobby shop. The owner is a retired firefighter. My question to you is...where did you find the Fire Chief car? I would like to place one on our layout. My sons and I are building a permanent winter/Christmas layout,we have some additional fire trucks, and this would be a great addition.


Thanks
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