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Hi Folks!

I recently acquired the Lionel 115 Stop Station (1947-48) pictured below. It is in distressed condition and is missing its skylight. I have not yet powered it up. My major concern at this time is the paint. There is a lot of pitted rust, especially on the base, scrapes, and some numb skull badly painted "B&O RR" on the roof facade.

QUESTION #1: Is the station worth more in its original yet impaired condition, or may I repaint without losing significant value in the station?

QUESTION #2: Looking at the Lionel Post War Paint Color Chart, the closest I can figure the paint colors to be are 214-Ivory and 252-Red. Are these correct? If so, where can I buy them?

QUESTION #3: Can I get these paints in spray cans or will I have to purchase a compressor and air brush to use canned paint? If so, what compressed air source/air brush would you suggest?

Thanks so much for your kindness and help!

Pete115 front right corner 96115 front 96115 interior 96115 left rear 96

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Images (4)
  • 115 front right corner 96: Front right corner
  • 115 front 96: Front
  • 115 interior 96: Interior with inspection stickers
  • 115 left rear 96: Left rear corner
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That station isn't too bad.  You could probably just clean and polish/wax the walls, might even be able to get the B&O off the facade.  I think your color interpretations are correct though if you want to purchase matching paint to re-do the whole thing.  Or you could just get the red and redo the base and clean up the building...  It's really up to you.  IMO, a repainted base but original building would be more valuable than a completely repainted station..... but that is only one nut's opinion lol.



All that dribble said though, if it were mine, I would try and clean up the building and then consider repainting the base and go from there.

Hi Phil! I took the 115 completely apart, cleaned everywhere, submerged rusty sections in Evap-o-Rust, replaced the pear lights and interior light, used penetrating oil and elbow grease to get rid of “B&O RR” overpaint, tested the original wiring, and put it all back together (not easy). I am waiting for the ivory and red paints, and aftermarket skylight, to arrive. I decided not to repaint, but to touch up formerly rusty bare metal to preserve the patina of age. I will post photos when done.

As far as wiring is concerned, it is fairly simple. On the underside of the base the stop switch wire is soldered to the 3 post. The power wire is soldered to the 1 post. The 2 post is a ground. If you want to illuminate the station without the stop function simply run the transformer U post wire to the 2 binding post and A or B post wires to the 1 binding post.

kind regards,

Pete

i agree with Stu's comment.  Pete you have done a great job.  Years ago I bought my father a new in box reissue of that station that Lionel (probably through Mike Wolf) did in the 1980s.  From the picture your restoration looks every bit as good as his did coming out of the box.

Maybe I'm unique.  Unless its a rare item highly valued in whatever condition, then I am inclined to ignore the effect on potential resale value.  There will be specific train items that will continue  to increase in value.  There will be many more that will go for pennies on the dollar, even if we managed to get them used.  I am not willing to forgo my potential enjoyment because it might affect the potential resale value years from now.

Thanks, Peter! It was very satisfying to restore it. I had intended to sell it at a show, but I put so much sweat equity in it that I think I will give it to a grandkid when I am done with it.

BTW, I hope you are sponsoring the breakfast again at the diner in York in October. That is such a great tradition! I will bring a few jugs of upstate NY pure maple syrup, as is my wont.

Hi Bill!  Thanks for the kind words. The greatest risk faced in the restoration was metal fatigue to the insert tabs connecting the metal sections. I took the station completely apart. Bend the tabs once too often and they break off, like bending a paperclip.

I love restoring old things Lionel. You get an instant reward, and then get to play with it. All it takes are the 3"P"s: patience, persistence, and perspiration.

As for the value of things, you are so right. Perhaps half a century from now one of my grandchildren will post in this forum images of their own restoration of this same station.

@Bill N posted:

...Maybe I'm unique.  Unless its a rare item highly valued in whatever condition, then I am inclined to ignore the effect on potential resale value.  There will be specific train items that will continue  to increase in value.  There will be many more that will go for pennies on the dollar, even if we managed to get them used.  I am not willing to forgo my potential enjoyment because it might affect the potential resale value years from now.

You're not unique - the enjoyment one gets from a restoration like this far outweighs the few extra dollars that the unrestored version might someday bring (probably when being sold by one's heirs).

And for this particular item, I think it's worth more now than prior to the repaint anyway.

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