Lionel shed, ahead of it's time? popular?

Hey guys. You all are correct. The Lionel #22918 Locomotive Backshop was introduced in the 1998 catalog and was issued in 1999. It was made from lithographed tin.

It was the first in a series of tinplate type structures and had a brass plaque attached to it with this information. It was followed by the #32997 metal Rico Station and the #32905 Lionel Irvington Factory. One would argue that the #14167 Lionel #213 Lift Bridge was also part of this series.

Regardless, the Backshop had a few "issues" that John pointed out. The tinplate sides are very flimsy and it had electrical issues. However, for 1998, it had a lot of cutting edge features. Mine works fine, I have the new board that Lionel provided in the recall but I never installed it. The machinery, lights, sounds and doors all work as designed. I have never used the smoke unit.

As an add-on to the Backshop, Lionel issued the #36900, Depressed Center Flatcar with Backshop Load in 1999. You can see it in the magazine pictures parked next to the other diesel shop.

For two pictures, look at the latest copy of OGR magazine. Runn #255, page #43. It is nice enough that I feature it on the "Eastern District". I also included a closer side shot below.



Donald

johnsgg1, what sounds did you add and how?

the only issues i have ever had with mine are (a) lighting, i added a bunch and (b) the thing is a huge TMCC signal sink; i had to ground the structure.

Yeap this is it! Thank you very much for posting. I barely knew of it let alone any problems. It's cool that I could still get it. Joe

quote:

johnsgg1, what sounds did you add and how?

My Backshop is well traveled. It was sent to me by Island Trains when I was stationed in Germany. I sent it back to Lionel for the mods, then back to me.

While in Germany I visited several toy stores and in one such store I bought a Busch Model 5763 Industrial Machine sound box. Speaker, wires and a plug in sound box. Five industrial type sounds were advertised: file, turning lathe, forge, whetstone, welding. 10-16V AC or DC. I used three sounds but only two can be generated simultaneously.

Sounds can be actived by a reed switch, push button, or any other method of momentarily connecting two wires (the method I used for the Backshop).

Using the actual machine movements I fabricated devises and used roller micro switches to momentarily connect wires to activate the sounds. The three sounds are random based upon the movement of the machines.

A short video showing the inside of the Backshop. The Busch Sound Box is in the middle, on top, with the silver slopped front. It's speaker is the single speaker mounted to the left of the Lionel dual speaker enclosure. The sounds are activateded by devices mounted on the three machines that momentarily close contacts.

Very cool I love it so awesome, I really wish I never passed this item up when it came out. bummer

I never liked it because of the "european Look:
Round roof
Round half moon windows
Made the engine shed not a typical common US model.

If Lionel were to reissue, they need to come up with a Better a typical US looking structure FIRST.
The Operating machinery and noice is a cool feature though!