How rare is an aluminum 151 postwar lionel sephamore?

[rack776]

How rare or valuable is an aluminum 151 postwar lionel sephamore?

 I checked these 2 sites and Doyles PW lionel book but I could not find a value on the 1957 aluminum pole 151 sephamore

http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=151

http://www.tandem-associates.com/lionel/lionel_trains_151_acc.htm

I bought one listed as a 151 sephamore on ebay for $20 shipping included and was suprised tthat it worked, it had the aluminum pole, the contact and a near mint original box!  I thought I was getting a fixer upper LOL! It looks brand new with maybee 2 small paint chips on the base.

A magnet will not stick to the post it is definately aluminum.

Are these any more desireable or just an odd variation?

My pole is a little loose in the base, is there an easy fix to tighten it or can I just shim it with some thin cardboard strips betwen the base & post?

Any info would be appreciated - Jason

[KRM]

Jason, Looks like you have the one from 1957 if it has the aluminum post. Best way to find out value is just watch for them on E-bay. Sounds like you did good.

 

[sir james I]

They were made for years. I don't know of any that have special value.

[mersenne6]

 I'd have to say they are common.  I checked the three I have last night and all of them have an aluminum mast.