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Lighted Freight Station
(No. 906)
(1970-1982)
The first in the series is this freight station. Also found among the old
Revell train line from the late '50s, this model joins the TYCO line in the 1960s and remained as the only pre-construction
model building for some time. I have also seen this model in kit form, same as it was from Revell, listed in AHM-Associated
Hobby Manufacturers catalogs. Priced at $6 in the 1970-71 TYCO catalog, this building eventually had a retail price of $8
in the 1977 catalog. In 1982, the Freight Station is the only item from this series still found in TYCO's catalog. Among TYCO's
Lighted Buildings, this example lasted the longest in the product line and is very common.
Lighted Factory
(No.940)
(1972-1981)
The lighted Factory arrives with six other pre-built models in the 1972-73
catalog. All six were originally priced at $7 each, with the older Freight Station remaining a dollar behind at $6, when first
introduced. According to my collection, the Factory is last listed in the 1981 catalog.
Lighted Church
(No.941)
(1972-1980)
The Lighted Church was among the six Lighted Building additions that arrive
in 1972-73 TYCO catalog. The color of the Church does vary from over the years. Initially, the
model favors the image presented above. Beginning with the 1980 TYCO catalog, the model has white side
with gray trim and a dark gray steple and roof on a green base. This building is currently among the offerings
in IHC's recent reissue of these kits. Differing from the TYCO models, the IHC models are kits and not pre-built offerings.
Lighted Passenger Station
(No.942)
(1972-1981)
What's a model train layout with a Passenger Station? This handsome model
includes a 'Discover America' billboard; which is also found on the Service Station. The item is found first in the 1972-73
catalog and last in the 1981 catalog. Paint variations do exist over the production run years.
Lighted Service Station
(No.943)
(1972-1981)
The Service Station was the only offering in the Lighted Building series
that features a corporate name/logo, that being UNION '76. The autos featured on and in this building are the Chevy Camaros
and AMC Javelins found separately and with the Autoloader. The autos, same as the figures, are glued in place on this building.
IHC, International Hobby Corp., has recently made a new run of these models, but did not offer the Service Station.
One might assume that IHC may not have rights to the UNION '76 name and that may be keeping this building from returning in
the new set, though that is only speculation.
Lighted Ranch House
(No.944)
(1972-1976)
The Ranch House was one of two homes offered in TYCO's Lighted Buildings
series. Collectors should carefully examine this model for damage, as the TV antenna and the weathervane are often missing
due to their delicacy. Both houses leave the TYCO catalog in 1976. One might expect this would cause them to be more rare
than other items in this series, however I see them on eBay about as much as any of the other Lighted Buildings offerings.
Lighted Colonial House
(No.945)
(1972-1976)
The Colonial House is the other home offered in this series. It is currently
among the Lighted Buildings that were recently reissued by IHC-International Hobby Corp. Just as with the Service Station,
the auto provided is glued in place and can vary in color and type from sample to sample. Both houses leave the TYCO catalog
in 1976. One might expect this would cause them to be more rare than other items in this series, however I see them on eBay
about as much as the other Lighted Buildings offerings.
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