Model Train Journal

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel-Prewar- ... 4708429078

Odd combination of bits. Paint is NOT 80-85 years old. Seller says "powder coated". Pre-war brightwork was nickle, not chrome. Seller says "NOS rods and valve gear". Still. Nickle. Tender bottom photo, Phillips head screws were invented in 1932, but certainly not widely used until later. Willys for sure was slothead in 1948, Phillips in 1949. Seller says tender not original.
Has what appears to be a age-appropriate cab badge, easy to put on. Seller says he's done a bunch from piles of parts "I ASSEMBLED A GROUP OF PART OVER TIME ENOUGH TO PRODUCE SEVERAL COMPLETE
249E's. THIS ONE HAS A TENDER WITH BUT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL TO THIS ENGINE."
Not sure about the tag on pickup plate on bottom of engine...again, changeable.
MTH, most likely, color is darker blue than I've seen, but right down to the solid lead truck wheels.


Not sure something that lacks so much originality (paint, chrome replacement bits, powder coating, epoxy repair cowcatcher, MTH tender) would command $320. But who knows.

Seller name says it all: mtrestorations

What does powder coated mean? It is used to mean something different than painted the way the desciption reads.???

rogruth wrote:What does powder coated mean? It is used to mean something different than painted the way the desciption reads.???

You hang the part on an electrically charged wire. Spray powder of your color choice on it, that is oppositely charged.
Heat it in an oven to set it. Hard. Shiny. Not something Lionel did in 1936.

Thanks, Dave.
Is there an advantage to "restoring" using that method? Easier, faster, smoother, etc.?

Powder coating is poplar with hot rods and custom cars on wheels, engine, suspension parts etc. It's more durable than paint and has kind of a unique look.

Miserable restoration by a screwdriver hack with a rattle can