Pacific Fruit Express Safe

@lionel1946 posted:

Also trying to decide whether to leave as is or get it fully restored, which will at least quadruple the cost of the safe (but probably not quadruple its value).

Great find!  I would not do any kind of restoration, other than gentle cleaning and any mechanical work necessary to keep it functional.  The patina gives it great character and almost tells a story.  In the world of antiques, restoration often lowers the value of an item, and judging by the photo, it looks pretty good as it sits.

Andy

Agree,  don't touch it.

Double-ditto in leaving it original, and good luck on finding it's original use!

I certainly know nothing of safes. Does it appear to be original, and not a fake? I think I would try to find someone who has knowledge in this very specific area of collectibles, and it's probably no one here.

Wow, now that’s a good looking safe, I’m glad it’s on wheels, I’d leave it original and google for more factual details. Hopefully you have the combination for opening this heavy safe. Happy Railroading Everyone

NICE find! If Hall's still exists, perhaps they could help with a combination?

@Tinplate Art posted:

NICE find! If Hall's still exists, perhaps they could help with a combination?

Not any more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...'s_Safe_%26_Lock_Co.

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow, now that’s a good looking safe, I’m glad it’s on wheels, I’d leave it original and google for more factual details. Hopefully you have the combination for opening this heavy safe. Happy Railroading Everyone

Luckily the owner has the combination and the key for the interior door.

Still hoping to get more background from the widow of the man who owned it. Last conversation, she wasn’t sure if her husband had bought it from the railroad or an antiques dealer.

Here’s a look at what a full restoration would do:

Well, that might be a good way to go, that’s a beautiful design on the safe, and it might make it more valuable. It’s definitely unique and looks good. Thank you very much for showing the pictures. Happy Railroading Everyone

I'd carefully clean it up and leave it original.

@lionel1946 posted:

Here’s a look at what a full restoration would do:

A restoration would certainly make it look like new...but at the loss of the original hand-lettering and pinstriping--which would never be "original" again.

If you do get it restored, looks like those are the guys to do it. I shudder to think of the cost.

I think you need to do a lot more research on this piece--and again, the guys here (unless there's a safe expert among us) probably aren't the guys to ask.

It's only original once. But, it's yours so do what you want with it.

I know this is not on your mind at this time, but someday, you or a loved one may want to sell this safe, and your train collection, therefore, you may want to see what the value would be if Refinished, (remember that cost may be un-recoverable), simply for your satisfaction, or not spending more monies and being content to leave it as is. I feel that it may accrue in value as it stands. Now, if it were a Lionel 700E Hudson, with all the boxes, shipping carton, instructions, I would send it to Harmonyards and have it totally made to run and look like new. Nuff sayd. Happy Railroading Everyone