Lionel Electric Trains Identification Guide Sub-Title
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This Identification Guide for Lionel Electric Trains covers the "Post-war Era" only from 1945 until 1969.

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Lionel Trains Coal Ramp No. 456 LIONEL TRAINS COAL RAMP No. 456

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Lionel Trains Coal Ramp No. 456 B Variation
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Lionel Trains Coal Ramp No. 456The Coal Ramp No. 456 came with a separately boxed No. 3456 Norfolk & Western Hopper Car that was designed to work with this accessory. Once this car was pushed up the ramp and was coupled at the top to hold it in this location, the coal could be dumped out of it remotely with the use of the No. 456C Controller. Included was a No. 456-5 Parts Envelope that contained mounting screws to hold an adjoining track at the bottom of the ramp. In addition, two No. 456-85 Mounting Pins were included to attach the MAROON Coal Bin No. 456-84 to the No. 397 Coal Loader making this accessory reciprocating. Also included was a bag of Coal No. 206.

Coal Ramp Controller No. 456C

First available in 1950, it is of all metal construction, with the exception of the RED light cover and the MAROON coal bin. There are two variations:
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Variation A: For the first year of production this coal ramp was a DARK GRAY color. Units have been found that have a DARK GRAY base and a LIGHT GRAY ramp end indicating that there was a transition period during production in 1950. Used braided line for the ramp that is about the same as what would be used to hang a picture.
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Variation B: Has a LIGHT GRAY base and ramp end. Used fishing line for hand rails. 1951 to 1955 Production.
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The hand rails are often found in broken condition on this accessory. Lionel doesn’t mention in the Service Manual the use of fishing line. This is perhaps because this line will work on the earlier issued 1950 version.

No. 456-5 Parts Envelope

Repairs made to these hand rail lines using fishing wire should include the wire end Eyelet No. 456-73, Spring No. 456-62, and Washer No. 456-124 that keep the tension on the wire yet allow flexibility if snagged. This prevents the breakage of the hand rail stanchions.
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Over the six years that the coal ramp was in production Lionel would issued seven instruction sheets under the No. 456-93 and dated 10-50, 11-50, 3-51, 5-52-,8-53, 8-54, and 4-55. All were printed with DARK BLUE ink on WHITE or TAN paper.
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The first revision of this instruction sheet occurred only one month after the initial issue. Lionel made a couple of changes to the text including the suggestion that the coupling of the Norfolk & Western Hopper Car to the top of the ramp is easier if the ramp coupler is open (Part No. 456-25) and the car coupler is closed. They also advised the purchaser to shim the ramp so that it is level to allow the car to readily descend the ramp after unloading.
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Below we’ve pictured three pages of the instruction sheet dated 3-51 (Numbered 456-93—3-51—TT) that shows these text revisions.
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Dimensions: 35-1/8 inches long, 3-3/8 inches wide, and 6-7/8 inches high at the top of the lamp cover.
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No. 456-85 Coal Bin Mounting Posts
Coal Ramp No. 456 Box Side View
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No. 456 Top View
No. 456-93 Instructions Page One
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No. 456-93 Instructions Page Two
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Page three of No. 456-93 Operating Coal Ramp Instruction Sheet
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