Lionel Gateman (all variations)


RedRyder77

RedRyder77

Member
I wanted to dedicate a thread to all things Gateman. I recently purchased my 1st and it was the Halloween Gateman (71-6841-250) and it seems the general consensus is that it's a fairly rare piece. Personally I did not purchase it for that, I just always wanted a Gateman and some Halloween themed pieces. How many other variations of this piece are there? Anyone else have the Halloween version?



Any info on the Gateman and any of it's variations would be much appreciated and I'd love to see pics of yours. Also, in the near future I will be looking for the Christmas/Nutcracker version.

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How perfect is this thread?!

The longest running accessory in the Lionel catalog, maybe in all of model railroading. The Lionel Gatemen and it's many variations.

I love that Halloween Gatemen!

I have the 75th anniversary version, I will have to get a picture to post.
 
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Iron Horseman said:
There is the Polar Experss gateman called the conductor gateman - sort of conflict of terms there but....
http://www.lionel.com/products/plug-expand-play-the-polar-express-conductor-gateman-6-82735/

I've also seen a Frankenstein's monster one #2329200, a Toms The Tank Engine one #1929160. I thought I had seen a polar express elf one but cannot find any reference to it, but it was a North Pole Central.
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I have the Polar Express conductor gatemen. It is sort of a conflict, but it is traditional scale Lionel and the Polar Express no less! There is usually some kind of conflict in traditional scale. But that doesn't spoil the fun for me.

We put the Polar Express Gateman under my wife's Christmas tree. My wife and I both love the Polar Express movie. I need to find a photo of our gatemen.
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Dub said:
I researched the Gatemen and it appeared in the 1936 catalog. Then it was the 45, all metal.


View attachment 182123

View attachment 182124

Needs a little cleaning.

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Well, done @Dub!

That makes sense. I read somewhere it is the longest running Lionel accessory.

The Original Gatemen was #45/#O45 later came the #45N. As I understand it the #45 came with a Standard Gauge section of track. The #045 came with an O-Gauge section of track. The #45N did not come with a section of track and could be used with either Standard Gauge or O-Gauge as it came with the #41 track activator. The #41 track activator was replaced in the post war era by the #153C contactor.

The #145 Gatemen first appeared in the 1950s according to Lionel's website.

A quick check of my inventory shows I have a 75th Anniversary Gatemen. God help me I forget what I have!
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www.lionel.com

75th Anniversay Gateman

Manufacturer of model trains and accessories in O and standard gauges.
www.lionel.com www.lionel.com
 
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Bruette said:
A quick check of my inventory shows I have a 75th Anniversary Gatemen. God help me I forget what I have!
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Tell me about it. Somewhere I know I have X in all this stuff somewhere, but what about all the Y and Z I've forgotten through the years.
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And this was moving INTO the school house. I'm pretty certain it has at least doubled since then.

Edit - oops off topic. There are no Gatemen anywhere in any of these boxes.
 
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Iron Horseman said:
Edit - oops off topic. There are no Gatemen anywhere in any of these boxes.
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I think you need a Lionel Gatemen! 😁


Iron Horseman said:
I've also seen a Frankenstein's monster one #2329200, a Toms The Tank Engine one #1929160. I thought I had seen a polar express elf one but cannot find any reference to it, but maybe it was a North Pole Central.
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There are many to choose from!
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I found these with a quick search. I'm all but certain there are more!.
 
This is just a great idea for a thread.

I have a couple that came in boxes I posted the oldest but never got them installed.
I thought it would be neat to line them up on a straight and have them activate in sequence.
 
Dub said:
I have a couple that came in boxes I posted the oldest but never got them installed.
I thought it would be neat to line them up on a straight and have them activate in sequence.
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That would be something to see!

Are the #45 and #145 about the same size? I don't have nor have never seen the #45 in person.

I read the Gatemen was originally sized to be used with standard gauge. That is the reason it is so far out of scale.
 
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