I want some cool lionel operating accesories

[Anonymous]

Im just starting my own o-gauge train layout.[:D] i first started this when i got bored of the starter oval they give in lionel starrter sets. im only 13 years old and i have a under $50 budjet.[:(!] i love opoporating accsesories espesialy lionel postwar. my family isnt that wealthy on the money side and the wont buy any trains for me. can somebody help me find some inexpensive post-war style lionel opporating assesories?thanks[8D]

[Anonymous]

Well, postwar accessories are very nice and very expensive as well. I'm 17 now and can't afford the full price of many of the great postwar accessories that were made. I do own some, though. My advice to you is to try and look for bargains. Try searching places like antique stores (the junkier kind rather than the fancy kind) and other second hand places. The people who run these places usually know next to nothing about toy trains. Eventually you will find some trains at good prices. This is where I get many of my trains. If you're lucky, you will find some good accessories. Even if you don't find accessories, you will probably get some nice trains, which is still good.

Also, you might try and find accessories that need repairs, if you're willing to do some work to get them in good shape again. There have been various articles in CTT over the years about bringing junkers back to life.

Another option is to find Marx accessories. Yes, these aren't quite the same quality as Lionel ones, but they are still lots fun and usually cost much less. Some Marx operating accessories are a gateman, barrel loader, lifting bridge and operating signal tower. While on the topic of using accessores from other manufacturers, don't ignore American Flyer. AF accessories are just as pricey as Lionel ones, but many will work with O gauge, so if you should be lucky enought to find some cheaply, don't pass them up just because they aren't Lionel.

I wish you the very best of luck in finding some accessories to liven up your layout! It's always great to see another young persn involved in the hobby!

[brianel027]

Jerry, there are some other options...
•In addition to the good advice Sask offered, watch ebay too... yes good condition postwar stuff tends to attract bids - but you never know when you might get lucky. I remember one time watching one train item and it was closing on a Sunday afternoon. The weather was forecast to be wonderful that day for most of the country after some extended period of lousy weather. It was a big sports day too. That afternoon I looked and there were hardly any bids and it was closing soon. I put in my bid and paid the price I wanted.

•Certainly the operating Milk Car is one of the more affordable used accessories out there. I've seen 'em for around $35 for the shorter 027 version. I got a stand with mine for that price, but the stand was in rough shape... but the stand is way easier to restore and repaint than the car itself. The operating barrel gondola is another one I've seen for $35-$40. Yes, they do go higher. You just have to keep a watchful eye.

And to restate Sask's advise, the Marx items are worth looking for... lots of fun and not as pricey either. You can find broken Marx stuff pretty cheap and fix it yourself or use the components for other ideas... I've done both.

•Don't rule out some of the modern things. Those MTH Railking Dump Cars and Searchlight cars have been advertised for as little as $20-$25. They're nice operating cars. The dump car could even be mounted on a couple of trestles and made to be an operating dump accessory of sorts.

•Be creative. Bachmann makes smoke units for $5. They're great! Put one in a Plasticville building, or a diner. I have one in a K-Line diner... out comes all this smoke. I joke with people that they're burning breakfast instead of cooking it.

Taking the very simple Lionel plastic kit Barrel Loader, you can paint it, detail it, add a spring operating mechanism or a solenoid and make it work on your own. I've shortened the height on one of those and it loads box cars perfectly with little crates.

Bicycle brake cables can work well for assisting in making an operating accessory.
I found this convey belt tractor on a kid's farm toy that I mounted on trestles and put on my nephew's layout. He turns the crank and loads up gondolas with anything. I suppose you could motorize something like that too.

I've bought those short bubbling tubes (like the ones used in K-Line/Lionel accessories) in gift shops as part of holiday decorations. Got 'em cheap too after the holiday. You can use those to make your own Chemical plant or refinery. Sounds old fashioned, but the old upside down juice can still works well for an oil tank, as well as automotive oil filters. Old plastic frames that come with building kits (holding smaller detail pieces) can be made into pipes for your oil facility.

Jerry, some of the neatest things can be made from junk. If you can find little things like this and that, you can save your limited money for things you really want. I had everyone at my office saving the center rollers from their cellophane tape rolls. Spray paint those and they make a cool train load.

Just be patient and keep looking with an open eye and open mind... it's amazing what you can find and what you can make! And that's all part of the fun.

[Anonymous]

thanks, i actually bought 3 pairs of lionel 1122 model manual switches on ebay for $20 on ebay! ok, ill keep looking

[SPFan]

Also check out the train shows in your area. Prices vary widely but I have seen complete cattle cars and corrals for 30 dollars. They were rough but looked very restorable. gOOD lUCK!

Pete

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm afraid I only dreamed for years when I was your age. I grew up in the 60's, and those were some pretty thin times for Lionel. I kept seeing all of this cool stuff in the operating manual, but it wasn't available in the stores anymore. What a tease!!! I know that's not what you want to hear, but relax, dream, and one day you will get them if you work hard.

Try to think of odd jobs that you can do in your spare time, ways to earn the money you need to buy the things you want. Set goals, and when you acheive them, those items will be that much more special. You are lucky, at least they make the stuff these days.[:D]

[mpzpw3]

boy, does this post bring up some memories! I grew up in the 70s, and there wasn't anything out there. I suggest two things. Look at the internet. Not just at the auction sites, but at the train dealer sites also. Get involved with a forum and ask for tips on finding things cheap. People know, and are willing to share. Also, buy the magazines associated with O gauge. Don't just read the articles, read the ads. I found a new Lionel oil derrick for $50.00. Remember that a lot of the advertisers in these magazines have web sites with items they don't currently list in the mags. I purchased a 4 car aluminum passenger car set for under $160.00 by doing this. Lastly, that $50.00 can go to a lawn mower, which can go to mowing yards, which can lead to extra cash. That is what I did. Everything is possible, just use your mind and think.

[pbjwilson]

$50 is a pretty limited budget. Operating crossing gates can be found used for about $15. Marx made some nice lite towers and other lited accessories that are inexpensive used. Lionel made manually operated barrel loader and lumber loader model kits which I think are still available new. Be creative, water towers can be made with a coffee can - tunnels can be made from cardboard boxes. There was an article a few years back in CTT that showed how to make an oil refinery from automobile oil filters!
And there's everyones favorite the operating gateman but that might blow your whole budget.

good luck and keep lookin.

Paul the Painter
"the fumes are gettin to me"

[Anonymous]

Jerry try the local newspapers and check for train items..Also, spring is coming and a lot of people are going to be cleaning.. check for garage/ yard sales... Sometimes people don't know what they are selling....

best of luck to ya

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cooker

Jerry try the local newspapers and check for train items..Also, spring is coming and a lot of people are going to be cleaning.. check for garage/ yard sales... Sometimes people don't know what they are selling....

best of luck to ya

I'm not sure about where you live, but around here, that kind of thing dried up more than 20 years ago. People have heard too many stories of great treasure on television.

I'm afraid that option is not very practical for our young friend, as he is probably very limited in his ability to get around, foot or bike I suspect, and maybe the occassional car ride.

[Anonymous]

Well Mr big boy I live in virginia outside of Washington D.C. and on any given weekend you can walk to dozens of yard/garage sales

[Anonymous]

i try to see as many rummage sales around here. always crossing my fingers in hope of finding a cardboard box full of marx or lionel![8D] oh yeah, just got some babysittng money, budjet up to $150![:D] Yippe!!

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

Jerry, The The Doctor Is In[}:)] ! What are you looking for?? I Am starting to sell Post War
Lionel Items. I may have something you can use, I am refurbishing a Stockyard and
Cattle Car, A #356 Operating Freight Station and Other Items. Let me know what you
want and are willing to spend. Prices will be at or slighty below Greenburg's list for
good condition items. I fix up items, I don't make them look pretty unless they are in
need of complete restoring(which cost more) I am selling well loved & used toys.
I am also willing to trade for fixer-upers. Hope to hear from you. Now, if you will excuse
me, I have to get back to Nayland Smith.[}:)]

[Anonymous]

Jerry I do agree with Big Boy you will probably not find a treasure chest full of neat trains and or accessories at you local rummage sale, so don't be disappointed. But keep your eyes and ears open and you may come across something you like....

What are you looking for maybe someone has some stuff to sell like the Doc.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cooker

Jerry I do agree with Big Boy you will probably not find a treasure chest full of neat trains and or accessories at you local rummage sale, so don't be disappointed. But keep your eyes and ears open and you may come across something you like....

What are you looking for maybe someone has some stuff to sell like the Doc.

The chances are slim, but you never know. I'm always at rummage sales myself. Don't stop going to them, Jerry. Generally when I do find trains at rummage or garage sales, they're all HO, but generally always dirt cheap. If you should find some other trains that you aren't interested in at one of these sales, don't hesitate to buy it if it's cheap enough. You could always make money selling it or trade it at a hobby shop. There's always a chance of finding something great, though. This summer at a flea market I found a box full of Tri-ang OO/HO trains from the 60's (just as colelctible as Lionel and they also made some really neat accessories) for $45. Actual value-$450!

As I mentioned before, check out antique stores. Go to the yellow pages in your phone book and try calling all the antiqe dealers listed. Chances are that some will have trains. Whenever I travel anywhere, the first thing I do when I get to the hotel room is grab the phone book and call these places. If you're driving somewhere and see a sign that says "Antiques" by the road side, get your parents to pull over to check it out. There are actually more deals to be found than you would think. For example, here's a couple of my own stories.

This summer I went to Winnipeg. I made my usual calls and went to one antique dealer who said he had some trains. What he had were three Marx sets. The first was a tinplate B&O 8-wheel set (just the trains, no track), which is a very valuable Marx set. There was no price on this. Also, there was an SP 7" diesel set in the box for $95 (this is all Canadian money) and a 4-wheel plastic set for $65. The B&O set was what I really wanted and when asked about a price, he said he'd sell it for only $50! Naturally, I said I'd take it. He asked if I wanted the other two sets, but I told him that I already had them. Finally he said, "ah, give me another 80 bucks and you can take 'em both." He told me that he recently sold a boxed prewar American Flyer set for only $250! I wish I'd been there then!

Another time I was in a pawn shop in Moose Jaw. I had phoned and they said they had some trains. What they showed me was a bunch of cheap HO cars marked at $15 each. No way I was going to go for that rip-off! Then as I looked around the store, I found an American Flyer set from the 60's with a B&M F-unit (book value for engine alone is $200). The price was $50 for the set.

I have other stories like these, but I also have a few stories of over-priced places as well. There are deals to be found, but you have to look for them. If you keep trying, you will eventually find them!

You mentioned that you're on ebay. My advice to you is to always check the "Other Scales" category. Look for obcure titles like "Old Train Set", "Model Train Pieces" or "Toy Train With Track and Cars". This is how you get the deals on ebay.

As far as newspaper wanted ads go, I've had many, but never had any luck. It's still worth a try, though. Always check the for sale ads, too. I once got a boxed Marx KCS 6" set in mint condition for only $60 as a result of responding to an ad in a local buy and sell paper.

There are trains out there, but you have to try to find them. "The Hunt" is half the fun of train collecting!

I wish you the best of luck on your quest for trains!

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cooker

Jerry I do agree with Big Boy you will probably not find a treasure chest full of neat trains and or accessories at you local rummage sale, so don't be disappointed. But keep your eyes and ears open and you may come across something you like....

Thanks Cooker, my original comment wasn't as much about the distance, though that is a limiting factor. I was really speaking of my own experience locally with garage and rummage sales in general, where I have never found much more than the HO type stuff that Sask was mentioning.

What I have found more of at those sales are REAL RAILROAD artifacts, but that's a whole different subject.

ESTATE SALES, often held when someone dies or moves to a nursing home, are different and can sometimes have the type of items that Jerry is looking for. However, they do go fast if there are any, and then you have to watch the price, because many of those types of sales are conducted by professional companies, who carry a set of price guide books for many types of collectables, including trains.

JERRY, it sounds like you are on your way to saving up some real money, and this is turning out to be some good life experience. TAKE YOUR TIME SPENDING IT!!!! Spend a little and hold on to the rest for later. A treat now for your hard work, and a reserve in case you find something really special.[:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dr.Fu-Manchu

Jerry, The The Doctor Is In[}:)] ! What are you looking for?? I Am starting to sell Post War
Lionel Items. I may have something you can use, I am refurbishing a Stockyard and
Cattle Car, A #356 Operating Freight Station and Other Items. Let me know what you
want and are willing to spend. Prices will be at or slighty below Greenburg's list for
good condition items.

thanks i would like some used oprating asscesories, if you have a lionel cattle set, coal loader, lumber loader, coaling station, culvert loader or unloader, barrel loader, or milk car that needs some cleaning ill take notice and you can give me the general price i might think about it![8D]

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor is in[}:)] ! At this time I have a cattle car/livestock platform and a milk car/plat
-form that I will have ready soon. (need spare parts) . The other items I have not come
across yet. I will also have rolling stock to sell soon, Let me know what you are looking
for. As for flea markets and such, Don't give up! I found three 022 switches in a box
and payed $20.00 for them. You can't buy them that cheap on E-bay!!!! If you wi***o
E-mail me use my secret adress (nayland smith can't find it) It"s Lionel19572000
@yahoo.com. I remain your humble Evil doctor!

[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

[Anonymous]

how much work does both of them need? if its minor, like cleaning, would it be any cheaper for you to send them that way and they would be less expensive? just curious[%-)]

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor is in[}:)] You asked a good question, which rates a good answer. I have to
tune -up the cattle stockyard and the car. The Milkcar and ramp are also in need of service before I sell them. You see Young Jerrylovestrains, I buy fixer-upers and make
them work again, I don't resell fixer-upers. i want the person who buys them to be able
to use them soon after unpacking the shiping box. Also, I have to photocopy instruction
sheets(unless you have the K-line or Greenburg books on lionel trains). I see you are
using 027 track, I can set up the stockyard for 027 and include a USC 027 section for
the Milk platform. Let me see what I can do for you. You can E-mail me at the address
in the last message or we can use this forum for now. That is your choice. I will only
discuss prices via E-mail, just to keep it between you and me. Untill next message,
I remain your humble but evil doctor! [}:)]