Jim Waterman posted:Carey Williams posted:Hello Tinplate world
I'm having fun blocking out space on the new Lionel layout ( 1912 and before) . So the current space grab is for two loops of 2 7/8" .... one at grade and the other elevated. Joshua Lionel Cohen and Harry Grant opened Lionel as an electrical novelty company in the heart of NYC . NYC was all a buzz with street cars, elevated trains and subways. Joshua and Harry commuted on the public transportation, so it make sense that their first inspiration for the "rail world" would be the trolley they rode in the morning. 1901 they bring out a Converse trolley powered conversion and a wood powered gondola. 1902 they add a bridge and a few accessories . 1903 they expand the line and added the B&O tunnel engine , a crane car, and elevated pillars so the home RR empire could included the latest big city public transportation refinements of buzzing over the heads of the little people.
The elevated pillars are classic and as a loop with the bridge is just the piece of resistance of visual early train perfection. Any 2 7/8" piece is rather hard to find ... the elevated pillars are very few in this planet ....fortunately Joe Mania (of Mania Trains ) has reproduced the elevated pillars ( many moons ago Jimmy Cohen also reproduced the pillars in very limited numbers) . Joe was kind to sell me a set of pillars for the layout .... all excited I began to set them up and decided to test clearance........
Lionel may not have thought this idea all the way through .... as you do not have enough head room to run one train under the elevated section....... ( if you can not lower the ground rise the elevated ) ... so the pillars will be supported by "foundations" .
Joshua and Harry were unavailable to comment about the lack of height in their elevated sections .
Cheers Carey
All I can say is WOW, Carey. These early Lionel 2-7/8 trains have a certain something. Thanks for sharing.
Jim Waterman
And Joe Mania is the MAN, especially regarding the 2-7/8 stuff. I don't think there is a single item that Lionel offered for sale that he can't reproduce - perfectly.
