Train Station Bench

I wonder if in a previous life it was a trolley bench. A reversible back was common as they would reach the end of a line, flip the benches, spin the trolley pole around the other way, and go back in the  opposite direction.

Thanks Bill...that makes sense...interesting.

Now that's a really neat find!!!  I think your wife deserves more than a hug and a kiss for this treasure!

My parants had one but it was a church pew.

That's a really cool addition to the train room!  And guests can find a place to sit.

When you get it home, look for builders plates/ marks. Google any that you find and let us know. My guess is that it's a trolley bench. No reason to swap direction on a station bench.

Cool find regardless.....your wife wins CEO of the year! 😁😁

Bob

I believe the bench would have been used in a station. I have seen station benches where the back was able to change position. Allowed you to face a different direction if you wanted too. Plus, if it was on a trolley it would have had a way to anchor it to the floor, which I don't see. Very cool piece.

Another possibility...

Flip-back bench

...albeit from an early era.  Boardwalks and piers were quite the gathering places for fun, relaxing, strolling, amusements in the early part of the last century...esp. along the eastern seacoast.

Ha - its like the ole L.I.R.R. coach seats you could flip if you didn't like going backward or had a card party going !  nice share .

@PRRMP54 posted:

My parants had one but it was a church pew.

We have a church pew in the house too...a short one in the mud room.  I guess my wife likes benches/pews and knew I would say yes to a train bench! LOL

No matter which it is, I will enjoy it.  I will look for builders plates on the underside when I pick i up and will keep you posted.  I hope it does have the plates...that would be a nice feature!