Lionel Electric Trains Identification Guide Sub-Title Bottom of Page

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

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No. 55 Tie-JectorLIONEL TIE-JECTOR No. 55

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No. 55 Top View
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No. 55 Late Classic Box End
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No. 55 Tie-JectorThe Tie-Jector Motorized Unit No. 55 was first cataloged in 1957 and would be available for the three following years. The body of this unit is RED plastic with WHITE heat-stamped lettering for the number on the side that reads "5511," and the PRR keystone railroad logo.
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There is a lever on the side to manually activate the unit, or this can be done by the two track clips that were included. It also came with 24 wooden ties. There is no reverse or light on this unit. There is a risk of over heating the motor if more than one car is pulled by this unit.

No. 55 Tie-Jector

Lionel had a problem with the tie storage bin melting from the heat generated by the motor of this unit. This resulted in the creation of a slot for ventilation behind the driver on the front of the unit. Collectors should be aware of the heating problems this unit caused and check for damage before purchase. There are three variations:
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Variation A: With RED body and no ventilation slot.
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Variation B: With REDDISH ORANGE body and no ventilation slot.
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Variation C: Identical to Variation A except with ventilation slot behind motorman.
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This motorized unit came with instruction sheet No. 55-76 dated 10-57. The front and back pages of this sheet are shown below.
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Front View of No. 55 B Variation Note the lack of the ventilation slot
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Front View of Variation C Note the ventilation slot behind the motorman
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No. 55-76 Instructions Front Page
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No. 55-76 Instructions Front Page
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