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"ONE", I can remember 1940.

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  • Member since
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"ONE", I can remember 1940.
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 25, 2005 8:44 PM

As a seven year old, I had Lionel trains, they were a Freight Set, I remember, and still have the 800 series cars. The Engine a 1688 PRR Torpedo Model in black with a 1689 Tender. What started this post was a question someone had about the use and differences of #8220;Stamped#8221; and #8220;Cast#8221; parts. Back in 1940 I enjoyed my trains and accepted them as they were, as I look over the cars, 803 is a Coal Car/Hopper, 806 is a Cattle Car, 807 is a Caboose, 831 is a Flat Cat with a Lumber Load, 805 is a Box Car, and 804 is a Tank Car. All of these cars and tender have Latch Couplers, in fact if done carefully one car could be backed into another and engage the couplers automatically.
As I look at these cars 65 years later, I am impressed with the complexity of design, each one made from many smaller #8220;Stamped#8221; steel sheet parts, some with punched thru holes, windows in the Caboose, slotted openings in the Cattle Car. These parts have tabs that mate with slots in other parts to secure the smaller parts into a finished model. In the guide books these items are referred to as Four-Wheel Enameled Series Freight Cars. The steel I measured on these cars is 0.020 thick, the Latch Couplers were made from 0.050 thick steel with some type of plating. In addition to the enameled steel parts, there are many smaller items, Brake Wheels, Ladders, Wheel Journals, Door Handles and Hand rails, these parts have a Brass or Nickel Color.
The PRR Torpedo Engine is a #8220;Die-Cast#8221; boiler-cab, the model I have is a #8220;2-4-2#8221; , not sure what material it is, but most likely a zinc alloy. This engine still works, as conventional control, of course back in 1940 there was only coventional control, but I didn#8217;t even know that.
The Transformer I still have, #8220;T-Type#8221; is a steel box design, almost a cube, the Selector Arm moves across 5 contacts to provide increase voltage in steps of 2.0 Volts and a choice of 3 Ranges,
2 to 10 Volts, 10 to 18 Volts and 17 to 25 Volts, very versatile. In addition, Fixed Voltages can be wired anywhere from 2.0 Volts to 25 Volts, still use that feature for some accessories.
The track was #8220;027#8221; and right now it is packed away, not in the best of condition, someday I will try it out. Still have original Lock-Ons with the swivel handle that clamps to the outer rail. Tubular Track has survived many years, now many suppliers are making similar items. Imagine the tooling needed to make a curve section of 027 or 0-Gage, First, forming the rail, then rolling to provide a curve, this done with 3 different radii, not a simple task. Then the 3 rails secured to stamped and formed ties. This track must have some plus features, to be made for over 70 years.

Will try to get #8220;TWO#8221; when I can remember more of my earlier years.

By: G. W.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Friday, March 25, 2005 9:11 PM
Sounds Great! Nice to know you've been able to keep it all these years.

Enjoy!

Easter Easter Easter Easter Easter!!!!!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Delray Beach, FL
  • 311 posts
Posted by andregg1 on Saturday, March 26, 2005 4:34 AM
Look the movies and enjoy!!!!!!!
Andre.
http://www.jlmtrains.com/layoutvideos.htm

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