Buildings & Towers (Page 5 of 8)

Gilbert made 62 distinct buildings and towers as listed on a little over seven pages of the TM Guide, not counting the variations on some of the 62.  Because there are so many, I have split them up over eight web pages:

Gilbert buildings    #50 through #167 are on page 1
                           #168 through #273 are on page 2
                           #274 through #590 are on page 3
                           #593 through #755A are on page 4
                           #758 through #767 are this on page
                           #768 through #774 are on page 6
                           #779 through #799 are on page 7
                           #23586 through #23796 are on page 8

Unless otherwise specified, the pictures on this page are from the collection of The Upstairs Train.

#758 Sam the Semaphore Man with two button control made in 1949.
(Photo courtesy of Rick Dunn.)

Here's Sam in his shack.

Push the button and he comes out.
In addition, the semaphore changes to red and the train stops.

When you release the button,
the semaphore changes to green,
the train proceeds, and
Sam returns to his shack.

(Photo courtesy of Douglas Weronick.)

#758A Sam the Semaphore Man made in 1950 thru 1956.  The base may be gray or green.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

Like other operating accessories of the time, the A indicates a design change to improve operation.
#758A looks like the #758 but it came with two button control so you don't have to hold the button down.
The red button stops the train and brings Sam out; the green button sends Sam back and starts the train.

In addition,.the 758A had a built-in Lockout Eliminator so the train wouldn't change directions
when it started up again.  With the #758, you had to lock the engine's e-unit in forward mode
if you were going to stop the train at the semaphore.
To take advantage of this new feature, you connect the track power
to the Fahnstock clip connector on the base rather than to the rainbow wire.
By the way, the Fahnstock clip connector is an easy way to distinguish #758A from #758.

#759 Bell Danger Signal with two 696 track trips, many variations: green, dark green, or black base; Tuscan shed  with yellow trim; green or black roof made in 1953 thru 1956.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

#764 Express Office with dark gray walls made in 1950 thru 1951.
(Photo courtesy of Rick Dunn.)

#764 Express Office with light gray walls and red trim made in 1950 thru 1951.

The walls on the two sides are identical, as are the two ends.

#766 Guilford Station made in 1953-1955.  It was sold as a set with the  #735 Operating Coach.
People move around the station, down into the tunnel, back up, and into the coach for a ride around the layout.
After their trip, they move off the coach, retturning to the station.  All under remote control.

#K766 Animated Station Guilford with 735 NH operating coach converted to knuckle couplers made in 1953.

#K766 Animated Station Guilford with 975 AFL operating coach made in 1953 thru 1955.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

#767 unpainted yellow plastic Branford Roadside Diner made in 1950 & 1951.
(Photos courtesy of G. Elliott.)

Greenberg says "Booths for Ladies" appeared on the left as in the picture above.
In the one below, it's on the right; can anybody tell me whether it is a factory error, a variation, or a repaint?

(Photo courtesy of Rick Dunn.)

In 1952 thru 1954, it was made of yellow painted plastic.
(Picture courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

Show me the rest of the Buildings.

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The books I am using for reference are listed in the Bibliography page.  All the writing and all the pictures on this website are, however, my own, except where cited.  No copyrighted materials have been included and all pictures provided by others are used by permission.

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