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 Station No. 497 LIONEL TRAINS COALING STATION No. 497

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Front View of No. 497 No. 497 Box Side

Lionel Trains Coal Station No. 497The Coaling Station No. 497 offered a self-contained continuous operation when used with the No. 3459 Automatic Coal Dump Car. The unloaded coal in the bin would be raised by cables and then could be loaded again from the overhead chute. This was the last of the coal loading/unloading accessories that Lionel produced during the Post War Era.
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Available from 1953 until 1958, there were three different instruction sheets, No. 497-90, that came with this station. In a change from the normal procedure of putting these instructions in the parts envelope, Lionel instead laid them inside the box. The first instruction sheet is dated 12-53, and the second is dated 6-55. This second issue was provoked by the introduction of the LW Transformer in 1955. Both of these sheets used BLACK ink on WHITE paper. Pictures of the second instruction sheet are shown below:
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Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
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When Lionel introduced Super-O track in 1957 it became necessary for them to update this sheet, which they did during November of 1957. This sheet is printed with BLUE ink on WHITE paper.
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Included with this accessory was a controller, No. 497-100 (illustrated above), a No. 206 bag of coal, a CTC Lockon, Power Blades for O Gauge track No. 3656-66 and for O27 Gauge track No. 3656-68, and a ground clip No. 3656-66. The flat electrical cable that connects the controller to the coaling station is often found brittle and cracked.
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There were several different colored roofs that were used on this accessory. The roof was held in place by latches that attached it to the supports. These latches are often found broken. Which is undoubtedly why Lionel enlarged them during the last production run.
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The GREEN roof (Part No. 497-63) for this station has been reproduced. Collectors should look for this cast-in part number along the underside of longest edge of this roof to insure that it is original.
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There are four variations:

No. 497 Controller
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Coaling Station No. 497 Variation C

Variation A: Has a painted YELLOW metal housing and a GREEN painted metal base.
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Variation B: Has a DARK GREEN roof that has small latches, blackened roof supports, RED painted housing, and molded MAROON hopper doors. Like new condition requires intact roof latches. 1953 Production.
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Variation C: Identical to Variation B except with a translucent GREEN roof. 1954-56 Production.
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Variation D: The last production reverted back to the DARK GREEN roof used on Variation B, except with large latches and larger square holes at the peak of the supports to accept these latches.
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Dimensions: 9-1/2" x 6" and 10 inches high.
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No. 497-90 Instructions Page One
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No. 497-90 Instructions Page Two
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No. 497-90 Instructions Page Three
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