Bidspirit auction | A Collection of Vintage Lionel

A Collection of Vintage Lionel and American Flyer Model Train Transformers - This lot comprises a diverse assortment of mid-20th-century model train power supply units constructed from cast metal and black-painted steel. The collection features several units from the Lionel Corporation and the A.C. Gilbert Company under the American Flyer brand. The first unit is a Lionel Trainmaster transformer. A silver faceplate is printed with black and red text reading TYPE Q, 75 WATT, 115 VOLTS 60 CYCLES, TRAINMASTER, TRANSFORMER, and THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK MADE IN U.S.A. OF AMERICA. It features a red overload indicator light and a black plastic dial calibrated in volts (up to 24) and miles per hour (up to 125). The rear panel includes four binding posts labeled A, B, and C for various voltage outputs including 6V, 8V, and 14V. The second unit is a Lionel Multivolt transformer. A side-mounted adhesive label identifies it as LIONEL MULTIVOLT TRANSFORMER TYPE T, rated for 110 VOLTS - 60 CYCLES - 100 WATTS. The top plate features a metal selector arm moving between LOW and HIGH positions, with eight binding posts labeled D through H and 1 through 3. A printed chart on the side provides voltage configurations ranging from 2 to 25 volts. The third unit is a smaller Lionel power supply with a brass-colored selector arm. A rectangular metal label reads LIONEL MULTIVOLT TOY TRANSFORMER, 110 VOLTS A.C. 60 CYCLES - 40 WATTS - TYPE A, VOLTAGES - 4-7-10-13-15, THE LIONEL CORPORATION - NEW YORK. The collection also includes three units from the A.C. Gilbert Company. Two units feature top plates labeled NO. 2B TRANSFORMER, AMERICAN FLYER, Made by The A.C. Gilbert Co., New Haven, Conn., U.S.A., rated at 60 CYCLES 75 WATTS, 110-120 VOLTS A.C. ONLY. These feature black plastic dials and three front-facing binding posts. A third American Flyer unit is labeled NO. 2 TRANSFORMER and rated at 100 WATTS, featuring a central metal control post and three binding posts. The units utilize a mix of original fabric-insulated and later rubber-insulated power cords with two-prong plugs. , The collection shows evidence of heavy use and age-related wear across all units. Significant surface oxidation and rust are visible on the metal casings and binding posts, particularly on the Lionel Type T (photo 4) and the American Flyer No. 2 (photo 10). There is extensive dust and grime accumulation throughout. The black-painted finishes exhibit scuffing, scratches, and paint loss. The American Flyer No. 2 unit is missing its black plastic control knob, leaving only the metal post (photo 10). Electrical cords show various states of degradation, with several appearing stiff or frayed; one cord is secured with a non-original plastic zip tie (photo 3). These items are untested and sold for restoration or parts.