Lionel O gauge No. 282 gantry crane

LIONEL’S CLASSIC GANTRY cranes combine realistic looks with unmatched accessory action. I’ve wanted one for years, and when Lionel announced that it would include an updated version of the last postwar crane (the no. 282R) in its Postwar Celebration reissue series, I made a place on my layout for one. Then I waited, not always patiently, for it to arrive. While production challenges delayed its arrival, I’m glad to say my new 282 was worth the wait.

The Lionel Corp.’s successors have reissued the gantry crane in several versions over the years, including some bizarre manual and hook-only powered editions, but none carried the postwar number and colors. This latest crane does. Small “PW” lettering on the cab sides and a Postwar Celebration Series nameplate are the only immediately noticeable differences between the new 282R and late-production postwar 282Rs. Upon closer look, the red may be a shade too purple, but if you’re going for a postwar vibe on your layout, this crane won’t short-circuit it.

The majority of the differences between the postwar and modern 282s are on the underside of the platform. Dual can motors replace the single AC motor and solenoid of the postwar version. The mechanism is similar to that on other recent-issue Lionel gantry cranes, but with new motors and a new gear mechanism for smoother operation. The electromagnet on the new 282 has a cast housing, as on the early postwar no. 182 (the 282’s predecessor) and most recent Lionel production, rather than a stamping as on postwar 282s. A redesigned magnet, which is stronger yet draws less current and generates less heat, resides inside the nicely detailed casting.

Together, these changes make the new 282 an improvement over its often finicky postwar predecessor. Its two motors enable an operator to actually possible to raise/lower the magnet and rotate the boom at the same time – impossible with a postwar 282. The new arrangement also simplifies operation. The controller now has one lever for rotation, one for raising/lowering, and one for the magnet – simple and direct. The revised electromagnet has plenty of heft for all the chores I’ve asked it to perform. Okay, it probably won’t lift a ZW transformer core, but do you really need it to?

My only quibble with the new 282 (aside from the medallion – I understand Lionel’s logic, but I could do without the added decoration) is that it faithfully follows the postwar tradition of having the controller permanently wired to the crane. I’m sure that arrangement was prudent back when most cranes were sold or given to children. These days that’s not the case, however, and I’m going to have to live with wires running across the top of my layout, cut a whompin’ big hole in the layout to thread the controller through, or cut the wires and install a terminal strip. I’ll probably use a terminal strip, despite knowing that if I ever decide to sell the crane I’ll take about a $50 hit for having cut the wires. Ouch!

All things considered, though, I’d rate the new 282 a success. It looks good, operates well, and is just plain more fun than any other accessory I have. Worth the wait? Definitely.