The Motorized Turntable No. 375 would be issued when sales had been depressed for several years at Lionel. The steam era on the prototype railroads had effectively ended in 1959, and perhaps to reminisce, or to just offer something new to their dealers, Lionel issued this accessory in 1962. It would continue to be available for two additional years.
With the emergence of economical small motors powered by small low-voltage batteries in the late 1950’s, Lionel would incorporate these features into this basic turntable design. The two size D batteries that power this motor are contained within the slide switch controller, No. 375-48, and like other battery installations should be checked for leakage. The controller rotates the turntable in both directions with the use of a center off slide switch.
Lionel issued only one instruction sheet with this accessory that was printed with either BLUE or BLACK ink on WHITE paper. Dated 10/62 No. 375-76 is shown below.
Not long after this turntable was issued Lionel would release a second instruction sheet titled, "SPECIAL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS" under the number 375-77, in which they would insist that this turntable be mounted on a sturdy board. This sheet also instructed the user not to use grease (they suggested vaseline) on the turntable pivot, and to shim the center section with cardboard shims from 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch for optimum performance. This sheet is illustrated below.
This accessory came with almost 60 individual parts (not counting duplicates) and the variety of these parts is illustrated on the parts envelope No. 375-73 shown immediately below. To understand how these parts are used it is almost essential have the instruction sheet to ensure the proper operation of the turntable. While many of the hardware parts can be purchased separately, the instruction sheet is needed to show the relationship between these parts. |
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