Posted 11 years ago
mcheconi
(42 items)
These are my vintage (prewar) Lionel and Marx floodlight towers.
These were originally used in model train sceneries and I thought they would make great lamps to decorate my loft.
They are all metal, with tiny incandescent bulbs.
I am still working in a way to have them lit up. I will probably use a model train transformer. They have a style of their own and look great.
Awesome! Very cool!
Probably worth a bundle huh. Lionel collectors are rabid
Hi Stillwater, thanks for commenting. Actually these are not expensive pieces and there are always some being sold at ebay.
Phil, thank you very much for this tip. It would be a lot easier to work with LEDs, that's for sure. I will send them a message explaining what I need.
Phil, search ebay for "marx tower" or "lionel tower" and even "O gauge" (this is the size scale). There are many well detailed pieces with a beautiful used look.
I will watch the videos. I believe there are LEDs that can fit the tiny brass sockets so no re-wiring will be needed.
I also never saw these being used as lamps, and that's why I called this post "My contribution..." They seem to be made for loft decor. I was very excited when I found them.
Phil, I bought this lamp post today (scroll down to see the pictures):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL-PREWAR-O-GAUGE-58-19-GOOSE-NECK-LAMP-POST-NO-BOX-/251298758170?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=A6QYHuecLPWkXzVhvD0HXbe%252Btjc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
As soon as it gets delivered here in Brazil (this can take up to 20 days...damn...) I will post pictures. I will use it as a lamp too.
I am not sure about the rare factor...there are at least two other being sold today. But they are undoubtely beautiful!
Phil, check these! http://www.ebay.ca/itm/E1001W-20pcs-12V-White-E10-10mm-Screw-12V-16V-Led-Bulb-Light-for-LIONE-NEW-/350830357105?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item51af1e6a71&_uhb=1
No re-wiring! That was a great tip, thanks! And these are 12 volt, so I think it will be possible to use the modeltrainsoftware.com adapter.
They vary from 10 to 12 inches high, yes, about a foot.
Actually they are in different states of conservation. Model train enthusiasts usually paint them, add details, let them rust...I love the ones with this aged, wore out looks.
Search ebay for "Marx 436 Searchlight Tower X Two #1 and 2"...these are priced really low..and there are parts missing to make them look even better LOL! I won't paste the link here cause I was reading the guidelines ( I am a new user) and apparently you can't advertise items even if they are not yours. :P
Hey Phil, nice to know you got the towers. Looking forward for your post on them.
Yes Phil, I got it. It was not a cheap postage ($30.00) compared to the price of the item ($38.00) and I didn't have to pay for import duties (you can buy imported goods costing up to U$50.00 without taxes in Brazil). I will post it as soon as the other one I bought get delivered. You said you will have to rewire the towers? Did they come without any wires on them?
Thank you Phil. I am fine thank you. I wish I had more extra time to be here more often. Hopefully during the holidays I'll have time to catch up with the new posts.
I updated the pictures of this post because I rewired the floodlight towers and wanted to show them to you guys. This is the little corner where they shine their beauty here at my home. One of the towers refuses to work...probably due to rusty contacts. I will work on it this weekend.
Hey Phil! Aren't they cute? The cabinet is a 1940s office piece that I transformed into my kitchen's dishware/glassware cabinet. It was in pretty good condition...too good in fact for what I intended it to be so I scrapped its paint, sanded it and applied acid to the bare metal to make it rusty. I then made a stencil from a black & white picture and spray painted it on one side. This was inspired (copied is the word LOL) by the works of a portuguese street artist that I love so much, called Vhils. I wish he could work in my loft's walls...
Watch him in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI_PAmxIWWM
It is simply the most amazing work I've seen lately. Google him to check other works. Cheers my friend!
Here's another video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdZGRP7N-iA
Thanks sarahoff!
Thank you for the love Soulportal!
Glad you found a way to work in the actual lights in these fascinating lamps.
Thanks bladerunner, they became a huge success among friends.
They are amazing, and i love that watertower also !
Thanks Lata for the comment!
Love your bookcase also, never seen it 6 years ago, it is totally RAD ! Your home just gets better and better, These train lamps really make such a great statement !~