I recently acquired a neat old motor mounted on a base. On the red metal base was a small brass plate that reads “No 1 Bild A Motor Patents Pending”. Pressed into the base reads “010 Made by the Lionel Corporation Patents New York Pending”. Upon a quick Google search I saw a similar Bild A Motor on an auction site claiming that it was a motor like what was used for a standard gauge locomotive with a possible date around 1929. It’s the kind of motor that would work great driving an Erector Set. Does anyone have any more information on these Bild A Motors? Thanks!
According to “Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains-1900-1942” Doyle book, your description sounds like the Type II Bild A Motor from 1930. The info reads as follows:
In 1930, the O-Gauge Bild-A-Motor was improved, and this version was carried over into 1931 as well. The motorhad nickel-plated sides and was mounted on a red or black base. When sold separately, the 5 1/2 x 3 x 3 inch motors were supplied in a two-piece box withthe label reading “No. 1 - ‘BILD-A-MOTOR’-TRADEMARK PATENTS PENDING”. Value in VG-$60; Exc-$90; Like new- $150, with rarity of 7 (This is 2007 edition of book, so value could be different.
A photo would help to identify your exact one.
Thank you for the useful information. I’ve got some photos, but still figuring out how to post them!
I have the assembly instructions for the “No. 1 Bild-A-Motor” in Greenbergs Guide to Lionel Prewar Parts & Instruction Sheets, Edited by Robert J. Osterhoff. I suspect that this is out of print. There are 7 copies listed on AbeBooks.
Thanks Bob!
–Dan