Powerhouses... what happened?

An interesting point. If the modern manufacturers were more creative they could make a train-set transformer look like a model structure that fits in with the layout.

Definitely more creative about  disguising a transformer back in the day.  

even some of the old black boxes had a bit of a personality...

fantastic ...."why didn't I think o' that" idea to stick a 180 watt brick in a house....with plenty of ventilation slots, mind you! i really like the idea of the disguise!

new...yuk

thanks for the pics.

Just imagine how many of the 180W bricks we could stick in one of those old 840 Powerhouses!

Nice topic, you could also add the Unique control tower and some of the battery box/stations offered by TN, Cragstan, Distler, HWN and the Dressler Shell battery box/oil storage tank.

Jim O'C posted:

Nice topic, you could also add the Unique control tower...

i actually thought Steve would post a picture of his 'full handle' version.
of course it was only a rheostat (here's the transformer)...

i have an interesting version of the control tower...

it shows no sign of ever containing any of the control hardware (aside from the external Fahnestock clips).
***WARNING*** if you ever see one with an intact handle, DO NOT try to move it (even very gently). 

cheers...gary

not sure if this one is OE. Have never seen a painted handle like this one.

Dressler HO scale Shell battery box

Mine had a black handle. The set is long since sold.

Steve

overlandflyer posted:

Katz...

Tom Thumb (Hoge)...

Winner Lines (Lionel)...

Girard (Marx)...

today...

available in any color you want, ...as long as it's black.

jeers...gary

That's funny. HA!

What does a Lionel structure alone cost nowadays? $200?

Add that cost to the bricks and you have one pricey power block. Combine that with the guys who need more than one of these, those that run as prototypical as possible, etc etc. Just doesn't seem to fit the market like it used to. Buy a brick or 10 and add them to your structures.