From what I’ve found in post-war Lionel catalogs, this model originally included two pink replica iron girders. While those have not yet been found, this customization includes the hunk of metal you see pictured. The mock engine/pump is solid metal, weighing about 2lbs! The “tie-down” string also appears to be a custom add-on, and the brake wheel and mounting screw do not appear to be damaged in any way – I suspect they were simply removed for boxing & storage. That being said, the load does not appear to be fixed in any original catalog images, so I’m pretty confident that the drilled hole in the center of the flat car is also an aftermarket customization courtesy of my grandfather.
