The Ircink Lionel 1947 rides again!!!

My Grandpa Ircink paid $49 in 1947 for this train set as a Christmas present for my dad and Uncle Tom (dad's a year older, he was 10 at the time). Obviously, it became the family train set as Aunt Mary, Aunt Ruthie, Uncle Fran and Aunt Evelyn, I'm sure, played "conductor" once or twice. ;) Last time we had it running was maybe 15-20 years ago. But I remember as a kid my grandfather assembling this on the ping-pong table and we grandchildren entertained ourselves for hours.

We haven't figured out if the smoke pills work yet, the whistle's not operating and the terminal controls for direction and speed aren't working. Dad and I set this up today at my new house in Greendale and it IS running, so...very fond memories. We'll get her working 100%.

I'll let dad figure it. After all, it is his train set.

(For the behind-the-scenes, uncensored footage click here for #1 and here for #2.)