#445 Switch tower, non-working example ???

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor is in ! I just opened a box of items i bought on Ebay and as I unwraped the #445 Switch Tower, I noticed that there were no works inside
execpt for a light bulb on a rusty mounting ! After further examining, I found solid doors where doors should not be on the balcony and the stairway. I put the question to the people in the know in the board, Did Lionel make a "non-op" switch tower, and if so, when !!!! Or, as I surmise, I have an "oops" from the factory. My postwar book does not list a non-op tower. Any help will be welcome.
Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor!!! [}:)]

[Dave45681]

Dr. Fu,

You have a MPC era 2319 Iluminated Watch Tower. My 2000 edition of McComas says it was made from 1975-1978 and also 1980.

Here's what the box looks like:





Hope this helps.

[Warburton]

Dave is right on. I have one of them, too. I gather from script on the box that they came un- or semi-assembled. You had to install at least the windows and doors. I got mine (recently) already assembled but in LN condition. Also, the colors used are different than the postwar version. A nice accessory, though, since the operating versions aren't all that reliable!

[Dave45681]

Mine was assembled when I got it, but I only bought it about 4 or 5 years ago, I think from somebody on eBay.

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor is in !!! Many Thanks !! from this humble evil doctor. This is what happens when you focus on one era, ie; Post-War for example. I have to upgrade my Lionel Library. I do not know everything, no one does. But I am doing better. Again, Thanks to the folk that came thru with the information.

Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor !!![}:)]