LF info on HO train from my childhood

[graygarth]

I hopr someone here can supply some info on a HO train set from my childhood in the late 1960s. It is a Lionel HO TEXAS SPECIAL passenger train. 1 Locomotive and 4 or 5 Passenger cars. I think my mother got it at Sears for Christmas. The rolling stock are still in originakl boxes and these boxes are still in the large original box. I cannot find it list in any Lionel websites. I would like to know what it is worth and if it is a rare set. The engine use O-rings for operation
Thanks for any info
Ron

[Cjcrescent]

Pictures? It would help.

[graygarth]

Will try to get some photos of it. The engine is red and white and the passenger cars are silver with red trim. Has only an A powered Unit not a B Unit. Cars are Baggage Car 2 Dome cars, and an Observation car I think
Ron

[NYW&B]

Ron - As you have already found, few Lionel sites address the HO versions of Lionel trains, largely as they are of far less interest to Lionel enthusiasts as compared with the larger O scale examples. However, certain HO sets when complete with all boxes and in very good condition can command a nice price. Sets sold by Sears are not often listed even in some collector catalogs as they were "specials" sold uniquely by Sears and not other Lionel outlets. This likely makes them less collectable than cataloged sets, but this is always in the eye of the beholder. Thus, value/prices for a given item/set is highly subjective.

Several versions of the Texas Special were issued in HO, mostly seeming to come from the late 1950's and early 60's as far as I can see. The sets, both passenger and freight, all seem to have been powered by a red and white HO version of Lionel's FA diesel engine. The passenger cars appear to my eyes to be identical with Athearn coach and dome cars of the era, done in a paint scheme and script lettering to match the engine.

NYW&B

[Unfettered]

Athearn made a lot of early HO for Lionel. I want to say Rocco was another subcontractor for the HO line as well. I do know that by 1959/1960 they were almost entirely Lionel built (supposedly).

[kbkchooch]

Cj, I think Ron is talking about these engines!



Ron,
The cars and engine can be found on ebay, and usually not for a whole lot of dollars. Even though the collectibility of Lionel HO is growing, its all too slow. There are a few hard core collectors out there, but with the somewhat plentiful supply and a weak economy, those folks are looking for bargains.

However, there is a bright side.
I wanted to run mine on my current layout and get some enjoyment out of them. After all, sitting still on display shelf or is a box might preserve your memory, but then its difficult to share with others. I found that Walthers Trainline FA1 chassis, with some slight modifications, will fit the Lionel body shell. This gives me can motors, flywheels, and DCC all in a vintage package,, all without having to replace those damn drive belts every few months!

Now the grand-kids can run the same locos that I ran at their age.
Isn't that what sharing memories is all about?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Originally Posted by Unfettered

Athearn made a lot of early HO for Lionel. I want to say Rocco was another subcontractor for the HO line as well. I do know that by 1959/1960 they were almost entirely Lionel built (supposedly).

Athearn is what I'm thinking. He said the loco uses O rings. Hi-F rubber band drive? The date is about right. It wasn't long into the 60's that Athearn went to a gear drive.

[Cjcrescent]

Yes, I believe that is right. Athearn made the diesel's drive for Lionel, and Rivarossi made the steamers. They both made cars. If you bought a diesel powered set, you got Athearn cars, which for a long time was the only to get Athearn cars already assembled. If you got a steamer, you got Rivarossi cars.