New versus original postwar accessories

I've stuck with restored postwar accessories. They seem to be relatively trouble free and you can't beat an original! I've been tempted to get a reproduction 264 because originals are fairly expensive, but I still am waiting for a suitable original. Though it's a small detail, I don't like the tag they put on the new one.

As to the items you have listed, I have the 456 and 497 (and the 397) and they're great. The 497 I have is very loud but operates well, and the 465 was cleaned up by a local postwar dealer and works great.

hard to beat the 97. It has presence, doesn't take up a ton of real estate. It's loud, doesn't toss too much coal, and works great.

For coal accessories I have an original 397 and an MPC Sandy Andy coal tower.  Both have turned me off to coal accessories.  Anyway, in general, a majority of my other accessories are originals.  I like that I can still work on them if need be and the parts are still available and easily repairable.  Takes some time to get everything cleaned up right and tune it in to the right voltage, but once I figure that out, I have very few problems.  I do have a couple PWC cars that I got as presents or because I had a gift certificate to the LHS.  The vibrating barrel ramp car has given me no problems and is made well, and the cop/hobo chase gondola feels a little cheap, but I believe the original have a vibrating motor, while this one has a plastic worm gear on the axel, which I actually prefer since it's less to deal with.

Over the years I've had the following postwar coal accessories on my layouts:

397 coal loader (alone)

456 coal ramp (alone)

397 and 456 together

497 coal loader

97 coal loader

I think I'd pick the 497 as my favorite, with one warning: If a train is run through the accessory with the bin in the halfway position, there are trains that will rub against it.

Also, the postwar Lionel 456 ramp has the electromagnets set up to match the postwar operating hopper. I ran into a problem using my modern era operating hopper car. (I think it was the 6117 Erie operating hopper) It came with sprung metal trucks. The uncoupling armature did not line up with the electromagnet on the accessory. I addressed the issue by replacing the sprung metal trucks with postwar metal trucks.

I don't know whether this is an issue with later modern era operating hoppers, or how they set up the modern era reissue(s).

As for postwar versus modern reissues: all of these postwar pieces were made with quality universal motors / drive systems which I prefer to can motors. So my first choice would be postwar.  If any of the older modern reissues were done with postwar style drive systems, then they'd be OK in my book too. 

I like the older post war operating accessories better as well. They might be noisy compared to new items but with a little work most can be brought back to life without costing you a fortune or 2 months at a repair shop.

I have a couple of pre war trains, one has a dump car(from 1939) that operates over a remote control track. One engine needed a replacement E unit but after almost 70 years I can't really complain.

Lee Fritz

Since I am fairly new to the hobby in the last few years, I have gone with the new operating accessories from the last two or three Lionel catalogs. I have almost all they have offered already pre-ordered. The ones left off the pre-orders after the budget dried up last time are being ordered this time around from the recently released Lionel catalog. I know very little about the postwar stuff and haven't had very good luck with used purchases so far.

It is my understanding that some have been reworked to improved their operation (and add command control). However, I haven't received any yet, so can't comment on the operational improvements. They are almost all command control which I liked. My layout is all command control and I am hoping they will be very nice accessories.

I don't really understand this. The postwar stuff is unbelievably simple in comparison to new items. There's not much to know since it's usually just a powered solenoid and plunger making the item work (or some similarly simple mechanism). I know nothing about electrical engineering, yet have taken apart a dozen postwar originals, cleaned them, resoldered the wires, and been on my way. Their simplicity is their strongpoint. 

quote:

 I know nothing about electrical engineering, yet have taken apart a dozen postwar originals, cleaned them, resoldered the wires, and been on my way.

This is in no way meant to be a dig at RTR12 or anybody else, BUT being that you know how to solder puts you separate from 99 percent of the general public. Society puts no importance on having most of the basic skills involved in model railroading or toy train repair.

Yeah, that's one I picked up from my dad and grandfather working on all kinds of toys/devices when I was younger, and cars now. Dad is a carpenter and my grandfather a machinist, so good people to hang around for random technical skills. It's not a terribly hard skill to pick up, though, at least compared to a lot of things, and the more expensive guns have changeable tips that make it even easier.

I have a Lionel PW-style layout with LOTS of accessories so this is a good topic for me.

I have a mix of about 80/20 with the 80 being original accessories. In a few cases (the 497 coal loader being one) I ended up with the modern version because I got such a great deal on it at York or online. As mentioned the originals generally hold up well and are usually easy to tinker with.

Once recent exception that comes to mind is the reissue of the 192 aircraft control tower. I picked one up last year and have to admit that the can motor really improves the performance.

For operation, I prefer the modern gantry crane to any of the postwar (or prewar) cranes.

But in general I prefer the postwar accessories.  There is just something about the noise that adds to the action.

Don

I usually prefer the postwar to the modern, unless it had a vibro-motor. I've always had issues with these, so I prefer their modern counterpart.

Very easy to understand really, I like command control. Command control is what got me back into the hobby a few years ago. The new accessories have command control and that is what I want. Also as I said earlier improvements have been made to some (maybe all) of these accessories over the years so I am hoping they will operate better as well as being command control. 

I don't have a problem with soldering, electrical or mechanical items. Just really have no desire for any Pre/Post war stuff or anything conventional and now not much that is used either. No real need for me to know much about PW stuff, what's good and what isn't, what's valuable and what's not. Some folks like command control and some don't. Both are fine, nothing wrong with either method. Same with PW or modern, steam or diesel, O gauge or HO/N/G/Z (or other). That's part of the diversity of the hobby, there is something out there for everyone, no matter what they like.

I feel the same about Tinplate, which I didn't care much for until I started looking at the new reproductions MTH is making. Some of those things look just amazing, very nice looking, and I will hopefully be getting a set or two someday. Command control of course.