trains under christmas tree - Classic Toy Trains Magazine

I lubricated it up and put my 253 under the tree the other day, pulling 4 607-608 passenger cars, the only ones that I have with the same peacock-and-orange paint.

Last night I briefly replaced the 1033 transformer by my model-107 reducer--like the train, about 75 years old. This is the first time since I bought it a few years ago that I have dared to use it. At first I thought I would have to replace the power cord and plug at least; but, after a close inspection, I could see only a little cosmetic damage. So I determined the polarization that the plug would have had, had it been polarized, and plugged it in so as to have the track at ground rather than 120 volts.

It and the train worked beautifully, smoother than any transformer (and got toasty warm under its asbestos heat shield, as expected).

I looked the prices of this outfit up in my 1929 catalog: Train and reducer, $27.40.