Hi there,
Does anyone know what model of transformer and when it was made? I'm having a really hard time digging up much information about it at all. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Eric Siegel
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I'd bet money it was when Fundimensions owned Lionel! It definitely looks like something from that period.
It's the "transformer" that came with the two Workin' on the Railroad sets from 1978-79: 6-1860 Timberline and 6-1862 Logging Empire.
As you might have guessed, it wasn't Fundimensions' finest hour. But the goal was to produce a train set that retailed for $19.99, and to that end, they succeeded.
TRW
PaperTRW posted:It's the "transformer" that came with the two Workin' on the Railroad sets from 1978-79: 6-1860 Timberline and 6-1862 Logging Empire.
As you might have guessed, it wasn't Fundimensions' finest hour. But the goal was to produce a train set that retailed for $19.99, and to that end, they succeeded.
TRW
There we go, I knew someone would know. Strangely. I think 1978-79 were the only 2 years I DIDN'T look at. Figures.
Thank you so much!
-Eric Siegel
I had one of those. I recall the one I had stopped working and back then even it was darn near impossible for my dad to get it fixed via the local hobby shop (though I think perhaps it was eventually fixed/replaced, it took a while for Lionel to come up with either a part to fix it or a replacement).
-Dave
I have never seen such a thing before - but in the Fundimensions (70's?) days the last thing on my 20-something mind was trains.
It is so odd to contemplate Lionel (products) Then and Lionel Now.
Yep -- That's a Fundimensions "New Realistic Throttle Controller" from one of the very basic starter sets in '78. It's just a (small) rheostat inside the big red plastic housing. The tiny "wall wart" beside it was the power supply. It was just enough to run a small plastic locomotive and two or three cars. My next-door neighbor had one of those when I was growing up... the controller was very light-weight, so while the big throttle handle looked impressive and felt nice in a boy's hand, it was prone to flexing and the base would move around if it wasn't fastened down. He switched to a better transformer in a few months...
EricF posted:Yep -- That's a Fundimensions "New Realistic Throttle Controller"
Looks like it should control a jetliner, not a locomotive . . . 
Bob
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