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I don't get it.
Why would the outfit currently reproducing Postwar Lionel LW transformer control handles switch to casting them out of black plastic?
I think that one of the nice features of the LW transformer is the illuminated control dial.
This was accomplished by casting the handle in clear plastic, and painting the outside black.
The clear plastic allowed some of the light to leak from the bulb in the center of the control post to the outside edge of the handle, and light the dial.

Reproduction handles were made this same way for many years.
Older ones came already painted, ready to install.
Later ones came unpainted, and therefore needed to be painted by the customer to get the same effect.

I don't see how solid black handles can provide the same effect.

Last edited by C W Burfle
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I haven't looked lately, but a couple years ago you could get clear, unpainted handles. Pull the jewel, mask off the center and give them a coat of gloss black and you are good to go. I did a few of mine that way.

Some parts dealers still have the clear ones. But the newly made ones are being cast in black plastic.
At one time, the clear ones came already painted. I may pick up a couple of the old stock clear ones to have a few on hand.
Overall, I have noticed a decline in the quality of reproduction parts for Postwar Lionel trains. The LW handle is just one example. Too bad.

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