The Lionel Rocket Launching Pad No. 175 was the premier "Space Age" accessory that Lionel produced from 1958 until 1960.

The GRAY launching platform was mounted on a TAN metal base and launching mechanism cover. The spring loaded launch plunger in the launch base had to be manually cocked to launch the rocket before the rocket was positioned on the launch pad. The rocket was manually lifted from a No. 6175 Flat Car (not included with this accessory) that was usually positioned on a track to the side of the rocket launcher. The rocket was raised with use of the control at the base of the YELLOW crane mounted on top of the BLACK/GRAY gantry. At the end of the lift rope was a magnet that attached itself to the rocket’s metal tip. This takes quite a bit of dexterity to properly align the rocket on the launch pad.

Once the rocket is in position the gantry is moved away by pushing the "GANTRY" button on the controller. Movement of the gantry is by a single phase induction motor so the gantry must reach the end of its travel on the rails to reverse direction. The rails are 4-1/2" apart which matches exactly the gauge for the No. 282 Gantry Crane.

The rocket launch is controlled by setting the timer on the controller up to ten seconds. This causes a lamp (L53) to light the RED "WARNING" indicator panel. The countdown is started by pressing the "START" button on the controller. Lionel stated in their instructions that, "the firing circuit is separate from the countdown circuit so that you can call for a last-second hold if the target area is not clear of personnel and equipment," this requires a little stretch of the imagination, which was no problem for the kids. When pressed, the "FIRE" button launches the rocket into space.

Production of the Rocket Launcher ceased in 1960, however the controller was used on the No. 413 Countdown Control Panel without the light to illuminated the missing "WARNING" panel. This delicate accessory is difficult to find today in undamaged condition. Usually, the gantry railings are broken and the controller is often missing.

The rockets for this accessory and for the No. 6175 Flat Car were sold separately under the No. 175-50. Each rocket was incased in a plastic bag with an instruction sheet that concerned the bag and not the rocket. Dealer packs of six of these rockets came in a card stock box with BLACK lettering on the end flaps. These boxes are difficult to find.

Of the three instruction sheets listed in the Lionel Service Manual only two are known to exist:

1. No. 175-69X with DARK BLUE ink on WHITE paper that is dated 10-58. The "X" suffix has never been seen before on an instruction sheet and is unexplained. Page 2 and 3 of this sheet is shown below. Follow these links to see Page 1 and Page 4 of this instruction sheet.

2. No. 175-69 with DARK BLUE ink on WHITE paper that is dated 6-59.

3. No. X569-10 with BLUE ink on WHITE paper that is dated 11-60. This sheet has never been found and the number is in complete opposition to Lionel’s normal numbering sequence.

There are two variations:

Variation A: Has a TAN base and blockhouse.

Variation B: Has a YELLOW/TAN base and blockhouse.

Dimensions: 11" square base, and 17" high (approximate).