I’m sorting through the various tank cars which I’ve acquired as part of two “job lots”. All four are two-dome cars in silver livery, three of the four are lettered Sunoco and have coil or magnetic couplers. So far, so good.
The fourth is of identical appearance, and looks of a similar age and “play-worn” condition, except that it is completely unlettered and bears no number on the frame. Couplers are magnetic, one damaged and unusable.
Any suggestions?
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Throw it out !
Was Lionel making unmarked low budget sets back then like they did in the 60s?
Mitch
CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:Throw it out !
No, don't do that. Sounds like an ideal candidate for a rebuild and repaint at the Brianel shops.
I’m not sure what is so mysterious about a seriously well worn toy. As I see it your choices are what Mike suggested, “throw it out” or Brianel’s suggestion to rebuild it. Personally I would rebuild it. Some paint and a few parts will give you a new tank car.
I certainly don’t intend to “throw it out” as it is in most respects, quite a good piece apart from the damaged bogie, which is easily dealt with.
On close examination, there appears to be the remnants of a yellow sticker background
... which suggests this picture I found, trawling around online; a somewhat different sticker design, all but rubbed off. I’m accustomed to the Tri-Ang or Hornby style heat printing, which is almost impossible to rub off, or the older Hornby Dublo transfers (decals), which sometimes outlast the paint!
When I was in my first Lionel phase, I was always ticked off at them for not having "regular" gas tank cars. We did not have Sunoco in Indianapolis in the late 1940s and I yearned for a good old Shell, Gulf, or Texaco. By the way, I had a messed up tank car and did what you suggested. It now sports a flat black coat of paint and ACL decals.
Yeah, you have the remains of decals there. By all means restore! I'm sure someone has repros available.
Mitch
No mystery at all, fix 'em up!
Here's two virtually identical single dome tank cars. One shown as purchased, and the other after rebuilding at the Mixed Freight car shop.......................
And here's a 2-dome tank car similar to yours.......................
Admittedly, I didn't have to do too much to this 2-dome car. The plastic shell was in really decent shape when I bought it. The printing is NOT decals, but appears to be heat-stamped, so no yellowing. I scratch-built new handrails to go all the way around the tank, ladders for the sides, and added late-model Lionel die-cast metal sprung trucks. The BIGGEST problem with this car is, it's the only one I got! I need several more just like it!!!
Turned one of these (not this one! - a rusted version without decals!!!):
Into this:
Jim
Yes, looks to be a well worn 2555 tank car by Lionel, around 1950, or so. I have quite a few, some Ex in box and others with wear on the decaling. Repaint and decal, add a nice tanker to your consist. OK... if it was a single dome, a 2555... Double dome would be a 2465.
Note the early staple
end trucks.
Jesse TCA
Thanks for all that. I think I’ll fix the bogie and put it into the consist as-is, to make a four-car consist.
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