455 Oil Derrick

Production: 1950 - 1954

History
The 455 Oil Derrick is an impressive looking accessory. It is based upon a typical mid-west American oil derrick built in the 1930s or 1940s. With a height of almost 15" and the many colors used throughout the accessory, it has become a favorite of many collectors and operators.

The Oil Derrick's operating pumping beam and illuminated tube are just two of several realistic features found on the item. It is a reliable operating accessory. Locating an oil derrick with all original pieces is a tough task -- usually the Sunoco sign and original oil drums are missing.

Features
The 455 Oil Derrick has the following standard features: red-painted metal base, green metal tower one 'Sunoco' sign, glass tube used to simulate the oil, orange plastic simulated generator and red pumping beam and pumper. Also included are four aluminum oil drums, black plastic oil drum rack plus an operating crank and hook.

The top platform section of the tower is usually painted green -- which matches the rest of the tower. Sometime later in the production period, this top platform changed to be a painted red section while the remainder of the tower was green. Experienced collectors believe the red top version was manufactured only for a single year: 1954.

This accessory is an on-off type accessory. It is controlled by Lionel's 364C controller.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Green Top Platform - Shown in the photo above - The common version.
Red Top Platform - Much harder to locate and assumed to be produced for only a single year, 1954.