{"product_id":"lionel-53-vintage-o-rio-grande-powered-snowplow-switcher-vg","title":"Lionel 53 Vintage O Rio Grande Powered Snowplow Switcher VG","description":"Here is a Lionel 53 Vintage O Rio Grande Powered Snowplow Switcher. The 53 Rio Grande Snowplow Switcher was produced for four years in the late 1950s. These small locomotives -- generally referred to as Motorized Units -- are loosely design after a real-life gas Vulcan switcher of the 1950s. Lionels model, similar to the real-life version, was small and had limited pulling power. On average, it could only pull two or three freight cars. Lionel only offered the 53 as a separate sale item and never in a set. The 53 is unique in that its front coupler was replaced by an all-new snowplow. This concept -- of slightly modifying an existing product to create a newer product -- was frequently done by Lionel during the postwar era to keep their product line looking new or enhanced from year to year. The 53 Rio Grande snowplow has the following standard features: 2-4-2 wheel arrangement, unpainted black body with yellow painted sections and black lettering, three-position E-unit, yellow side railings, low rear railings, operating rear coupler, metal side rode connecting the drive wheels plus an ornamental bell and yellow snowplow on the front. The unit was never illuminated. There is a interesting note regarding the spelling of Rio Grande on the side of the cab. The common variation has the letter 'a' backwards. However, there is a variation where the letter 'a' is printed correctly. This is the common variation with the backwards printed \"a\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis item has been graded per TCA standards C-6: Very Good. This item shows scratches, scrapes, dents, nicks, and paint loss throughout various sections of the shell and chassis. This item shows rust on the chassis and trucks. This item ahs chips in various parts of its shell. The rails and stirrup steps are slightly bent. The pilot snowplow blade is missing. Both window detail pieces are broken. The overall appearance of this item may be improved with a gentle and thorough cleaning. This item runs when tested but makes a loud grinding sound while moving. The instruction manual is not included. The original box is not included. Please check the photos for a detailed look at this item. Overall condition is Very Good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good (\u003ca href=\"#\" title=\"C-6: Minor scratches and paint nicks, minor surface rust, no dents. Minor parts replaced. Standards for all toy train related accessory items apply to the visual appearance of the item and do not consider the operating functionality of the equipment. Condition and Grading Standards are subjective, at best, and are intended to act as a guide.\"\u003eC-6\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperational Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"#\" title=\"This item has been tested and operates as expected.\"\u003eFunctional\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Box:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lionel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 53\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYears Manufactured:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1957 - 1960\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoad Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Denver \u0026amp; Rio Grande Western (DRGW)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale\/Era:\u003c\/strong\u003e O Postwar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Motorized Units\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Trainz SKU for this item is 5942706. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 6px !important; color: #d3d3d3 !important; line-height: 8px !important;\"\u003eTrainz Product Id: 11425131\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Lionel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44095835046010,"sku":"5942706","price":118.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1260\/4747\/files\/U5942706-80C9AEDE.jpg?v=1770151150","url":"https:\/\/www.trainz.com\/products\/lionel-53-vintage-o-rio-grande-powered-snowplow-switcher-vg","provider":"Trainz","version":"1.0","type":"link"}