Bidspirit auction | Lionel Standard Gauge No. 42

Lionel Standard Gauge No. 42 NYC Electric Locomotive - A vintage electric toy locomotive in a boxcab configuration, modeled after the New York Central S-Motor engine. The body is constructed from painted and lithographed tinplate and sheet metal, mounted on a cast metal frame with cast wheels in a 0-4-4-0 arrangement. The central cab section features two distinct panels on each side; one panel is printed in gold-toned serif characters reading N.Y.C. and the adjacent panel features the number 42. A small rectangular metal plate is attached to the underside, though the stamped characters are not legible. The locomotive features a dual-unit electric motor assembly visible on the underside with large metal gear wheels and a copper-colored contact roller designed for use with a three-rail track system. Exterior detailing includes wire handrails, two metal bells, and two headlights mounted on the hoods. The pilots at each end are finished in red paint and equipped with metal couplers. , The locomotive exhibits significant age-related wear and surface deterioration. There is widespread paint loss and chipping across the black body, particularly along the roof edges and raised seams (photo 1 and 3). Surface oxidation and a crazed texture are visible on the tinplate surfaces (photo 3). The red-painted pilots show heavy chipping and exposed metal (photo 1). The internal and underside wiring is aged with frayed and brittle insulation, and the contact roller shows signs of surface corrosion (photo 5). The item is heavily accumulated with dust and cobwebs throughout the interior and exterior (photo 2 and 4). The front headlight is missing its bulb and lens cover (photo 4). The mechanical and electrical functions are untested.