Greetings..I have a question/welcome opinions on 'transitional post war trucks. I'm a long time PW collector and certainly aware of Lionel's policy of using up inventory from year to year. Nonetheless, I have a few pieces in my collection that 'could' make sense as to being correct to the body but need some assurance form the experts here. My 2513W set from 1958 has a 6434 Poultry('58-'59) car frame consisting of one correct bar end truck/silver pin-tab coupler) yet on the other end, a truck, pre-56-57. Black pin/no tab bar end truck. Could this be correct? It's a common car but wondering if it may have been a repair from way back. While no way to be sure, has anyone else had one like this in their collection?(I'm a stickler for correctness)! Also regarding another common piece, the 3482 Milk car...Cataloged in '54 and '55. I have one, LN in a complete set box with 1 typical '54 truck and the other a questionable '56 period truck with coupler tab and silver pin. I realize Lionel started adding tabs in '55. The item was only available by special order according to the 1955 catalogue. I know it seems petty as trucks do not affect value but again, 'correct' matters to me. Any input on Lionel's utilization of PW trucks would be appreciated.
RL56 - I looked through some old Greenburg books and cannot offer any help. As you note trucks are easy to change. The way variations are documented is when a person who can show they have provenance (like they are the original owner and have clear remembrance - which is getting more rare as we age - I received my first sets at age 5/6 in '57/'58 - thus I have no knowledge of details other than got them at Christmas) like all original boxes and know there were never any repairs. Other times a collector may purchase a mint unopened set and opens it to find a variation that can be clearly identified. Publishers like Greenberg and other entities encourage owners of these documented variations to report them for inclusion in their books, etc., even if there is no increase in value, but to document these analmalies.
I am sure I am not telling you anything you do not already know as your post is quite thoughtful about the issue you raise.
Regards, Roy
Substatutions were made as needed and with what was on hand at the time. Lionel dealers also made changes on items in stock including swapping out cars in a set. So finding a set with the wrong car or trucks would not be uncommon.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
So finding a set with the wrong car or trucks would not be uncommon.
Especially when there are people who like to purchase empty set boxes, and then the individual pieces to fill it.
Nevertheless I appreciate your reply Roy..Thx!
I realize that..Just wondered if anyone had a piece as late as the 1958 car(Poultry)
utilizing 1955-56 couplers. As it's fastened to the frame via a simple horeshoe clip, I'm now guessing someone most likely changed them. The reason it matters at all? The set is a solid C-8, and the car itself has a LN body and frame. The wheels show very little, if any run time. All consistent not just for that car but all other components, YET if it didn't leave the factory that way, I have a problem with it on the shelve..Crazy? neurotic? Yeah, probably and even though most 'experts' will tell you that trucks don't affect value, it bugs me if it's not CORRECT.
Appreciate your response, Sir James!
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