Metal Bottom for 2145?

[gottcent]

I'm new to this forum, so please excuse any breaches of protocol. Recently I acquired a Lionel #2145 Automatic Gatemen from the General Mills era. It's in excellent shape, except that there is no metal plate on the bottom, as there is on other versions of the Gateman. Instead, the bottom seems composed of a thick paper/cardboard type substance. Is this unit missing a metal bottom, or was this simply a cost-saving element in the Fundimensions time?
John Gottcent

[martinden]

Yes, this was a change Lionel made at some point, presumably as a cost-cutting measure.

Roland LaVoie, in Greenberg's Lionel Trains 1970-1997, Volume III: Accessories, says (in the listing for the butternut 12713 gateman): "It has been cheapened a bit by the addition of a cardstock base bottom instead of the sturdy galvanized metal ones of previous versions." He also suggests that "We would like to know if some earlier 2145 versions also have this ... green cardboard base bottom."

Some years ago, shortly after reading this, I came across a 2145 with the green cardboard bottom cover, and bought it as part of my (very idle) gateman collection. Presumably there are others floating around.

Just when the change came is unclear. LaVoie says (under the 2145 listing) that the door changed from two window panes to the 12-pane design in 1978. I'd guess -- but certainly cannot substantiate -- that this is when they switched to the cardboard bottom.

John, does your 2145 have a 12-pane window?

[gottcent]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm at work now so I don't have the Gateman with me, but I'm pretty sure mine has only the two window panes. (It does, however, have the green cardboard base you describe.) I'll check tonight and let you know.

[gottcent]

My 2145 has only the two pane window.
John

[martinden]

So I guess my idea that the changes in the door and the base occurred at the same time goes out the door. Maybe eventually someone will pin it down.