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 Oil Derrick No. 455 LIONEL TRAINS OIL DERRICK No. 455

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Lionel Trains Oil Derrick No. 455 B Variation

Lionel Trains Oil Derrick No. 455The Oil Derrick No. 455 was another accessory that used a thermal switch. This time it moved the pump arm up and down, and the heat from a light concealed in the base caused the tube to bubble to simulate oil production. Produced from 1950 until 1954, it has an ORANGE generator unit and came with four aluminum oil barrels that were placed in a rack.
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The Sunoco sign was unique to this derrick and it is often missing. There was only one sign and on it was written, "OIL DERRICK No. 455." Many times this accessory is found with the Sunoco sign that was used on the No. 156 and No. 157 Station Platform. Also the turned aluminum oil drums are often missing. Both of these parts have been reproduced, but they are not marked so collectors should be cautious and should closely examine these parts.


spacerOil Derrick No. 455 Box Side View
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There are four variations:
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Variation A: Has a gloss DARK GREEN finish with a RED painted "A Frame" at the top of the tower. Catalog references show this RED top variation was produced from 1952 until 1954. The top was probably painted RED to enhance sales. This variation is harder to find.
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Variation B: Has a gloss DARK GREEN finish and a same colored top "A Frame." Going by what is shown in the catalogs, this was the first production that was manufactured in 1950 and 1951 and is the most common.
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Variation C: Has an dull APPLE GREEN finish with a RED painted "A Frame" at the top. This was most likely a factory error in the paint formulation.
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Variation D: Has a semi-gloss PALE GREEN finish and an A Frame top that matches this color. This was another factory error and is rare.
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This oil derrick was made by MPC during the Modern Era under the No. 2305 in 1981-84, with signs that said "Getty Oil" instead of the "Sunoco" brand that was used during the post-war era.
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Dimensions: 14-1/2 inches high, 9-1/4 inches long, 5-1/2 inches wide.
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Three instruction sheets were issued for the Oil Derrick under No. 455-81. All use BLACK ink on WHITE paper. The first was dated 8-50 and the front page of this sheet is shown below. The text on this sheet indicates that the walking beam and the bubbling oil would start immediately once connected. Due to customer complaints Lionel changed the wording on the second sheet, dated 5-51, to "few minutes later, as soon as the heat of the lamp warms the liquid in the glass tube the liquid will start to bubble simulating the flow of oil." Lionel did not mention that it also took some time for the thermal switch to heat up that allowed the pump walking beam to move up and down. The third instruction sheet is dated 5-55.
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Front Page of Instruction Sheet No. 455-81 Dated 8-50
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