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Question on Lionel train set found??

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Question on Lionel train set found??
Posted by JLeeper on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 5:55 PM

Recently found a Lionel train set but can't find any information on it.  It states on the box X-453 and the paperwork included inside is dated 1957.  Going through other online history sites that list models released through the years do not include this model?  It seems like a simple circle track that has locomotive and 4 cars. Works great, includes all the boxes and so forth.  Much nicer then my old MARX train sets!  I'm not a 'train collector', just like old toys or old things in general. 

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Posted by JLeeper on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 7:17 PM

JLeeper

Recently found a Lionel train set but can't find any information on it.  It states on the box X-453 and the paperwork included inside is dated 1957.  Going through other online history sites that list models released through the years do not include this model?  It seems like a simple circle track that has locomotive and 4 cars. Works great, includes all the boxes and so forth.  Much nicer then my old MARX train sets!  I'm not a 'train collector', just like old toys or old things in general. 

Added is the photo:

Lionel 1957 X435 set

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 7:25 PM

Your set was probably a promo set for some company. Lionel did a lot of them back in the day. You will need to get a Postwar uncataloged set book. There out of print so finding one will be $$ or find someone who has one.  

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by JLeeper on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 7:41 PM
I know that the set was owned by a guy who owned a drug store (Hadley's Rexall Drug) and on the side of the box is a price tag from that store. Maybe Lionel put together some sets for the Rexall stores? BTW, price was $24.99.
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Posted by thesiding on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 8:56 PM

The Locomotive is  Baltimore and Ohio 44 Tonner  a rare piece    The set is probably as stated a promo set used to get rid of surplus inventory

 

The locomotive was made in 1956 only and uncatalouged

 

What are the other cars?

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Posted by cwburfle on Thursday, May 25, 2017 4:30 AM

Not only is the loco a rare piece, a box for ANY 44 ton switcher is super rare. I've never even seen a picture of one before. What a find!

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:49 PM

Nice set and a great find, but not the only one.

https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item/7294165_lionel-post-war-x453-train-set

 

 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Roger Carp on Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:07 PM

Hi and thanks for posting the information about your Lionel uncataloged X-453 set. Please contact me about an article on the set in our magazine.

 

Thanks,

 

Roger Carp

Senior editor

Classic Toy Trains

262-796-8776 ext. 253

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Posted by LL675 on Thursday, May 25, 2017 6:06 PM

check your local library...ours has or can get from other branches most of the Greenberg books.

 

nice find!

Dave

It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody  from Toy Story)

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Posted by Penny Trains on Thursday, May 25, 2017 6:14 PM

Welcome aboard!

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by rlbarnard on Friday, May 26, 2017 10:11 AM

Hi,

I also purchased a set with the B&O 44 tonner from Sears. The number on the side of the Sears box is 9602. The only thing I can remember about the set other than the engine is that it came with a figure 8 layout and it had a black gondola with red cannisters in it. I bought it as a Christmas present for my brother (in 1956, I think).

He later painted the engine black. His daughter now has the set, and I have the box for the set.

PS: The cost of sending the set from Philadelphia to western NY by U.S. mail in 1956 was 80 cents.

Take care,

Dick

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Posted by JLeeper on Sunday, May 28, 2017 12:13 PM

This is a photo of the entire set. I really like the Baby Ruth car, its cool.  

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Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, May 28, 2017 7:11 PM

Mr. Leeper, it looks like you scored TWO home runs in one game, a nice find of an un-cataloged Lionel set AND an invitation from Mr. Carp to have it featured in the magazine!  You lucky guy, you!

And welcome aboard!

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Posted by kristo on Friday, June 9, 2017 12:47 PM

Roger, I recently was given a 2331, Virginian by Lionel.  It is in good shape on the outside but is not running.  I want to remove the brushplate to clean the brushes and commutator but I am concerned I will open a can of worms for myself since I have never worked on this model.  Will the spring pop out once I take off the brush assembly? As long as the spring and brush do not pop out, I think I can handle it, knowing how to clean the brushes and the commutator.  I have done this on my Sante Fe, but the springs are different in the Sante Fe.

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Posted by Bob Keller on Friday, June 9, 2017 2:09 PM

I'll shoot your question over to our Q&A guy, Joe Mania, and pass along his reply.

 

Bob Keller

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Posted by Bob Keller on Friday, June 9, 2017 3:50 PM

Just got this answer back from Joe (great timing):

 

"The brushes will pop out but the springs will remain attached to the brushplate. If the springs do come out, you have another problem to address as either they are incorrectly installed or they are broken. Either way, replacements are available and very easily replaced."

Bob Keller

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Posted by kristo on Friday, June 9, 2017 4:08 PM
Thanks.

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