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”.

This item has been graded per TCA standards C-6: Very Good. Some trim elements are misaligned, bent, damaged or missing. The overall appearance of these items may be improved with a gentle and thorough cleaning. This items car frame is coming off chassis. This locomotive shows scratches, rust and paint loss throughout various sections of the shell and chassis. This locomotive shows rust on the chassis and trucks. 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.

Condition: Very Good (C-6)
Operational Status: Functional
Original Box: Yes (P-5)

Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 53
Years Manufactured: 1957 – 1960
Road Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western (DRGW)

Scale/Era: O Postwar
Model Type: Motorized Units

The SKU for this item is 5957399.

Product Id: 11425131