According to an interview published in the January 1993 issue of Classic Toy Trains, he had devised this spectacular accessory during World War II, and Lionel added it to the line in 1946.
“It was a magical invention,” Frank said. Pressing a button on the controller activated a solenoid, which, in turn, caused a spout to fall and a motor pump to draw colored water from a double-walled chamber on the outer side of the tank into a reservoir above the center. With the spout down and the level of colored fluid dropping, viewers delighted in the illusion that water was being pumped into a miniature tender.
Lionel quit cataloging the 38 after 1947, probably because of reports that the tanks leaked. “If they did,” an indignant Frank went on, “the reason had to be poor engineering. Something went wrong after the operating water tower went into production.”
Long forgotten by most hobbyists, the 38 took on great status among the collectors and operators who managed to find one in working condition with its original blue pellets for coloring the water.
Now you can join their ranks without having to pay an arm and a leg for a postwar model. Lionel has reissued the accessory with an improved mechanism and design. There’s hardly a chance that this puppy will leave puddles on your layout. Frank Pettit must be smiling from on high.
The tower, with its molded plastic tank and supporting truss work and die-cast metal base, follows the same operating principles as its predecessor. However, the solenoid of yesteryear has been replaced with an up-to-date can motor for reliable pumping action.
You need a flat and level area approximately 6 by 6 inches to install your 38. Logic suggests placing it wherever your O or O-27 gauge steamers stop for a drink. Then pour 7 fluid ounces of distilled water into a container and add enough of the colorant to tint the water blue. Two bottles come with the tower. If you run out of colorant or prefer a different hue, experiment with the standard food coloring sold in grocery stores.
Once you’ve mixed up your magic potion, take the 2-inch piece of tubing included with the accessory and attach it to the plug on the roof of the tower. Next, attach the funnel (also included) to the other end. Pour in the blue liquid and keep a careful watch on the quantity. Numbers indicating how much fluid has been added have been molded into the tank on the right side of the spout.
According to the instruction sheet, you can safely fill the tank until the water level reaches the number 1 line near the top. However, when I did so, the accessory didn’t operate well. I contacted Lionel, which examined our sample and advised me to put in only enough liquid to reach the number 3. This adjustment worked like a charm.
Once you’ve added the colored water, remove the funnel and tubing and wire the water tower according to the instruction sheet. The sheet also explains how to operate the 38 using command control. It adds that an SC-1 will not work, but an SC-2 will. Further information can be found in the SC-2 Switch and Accessory Guide.
Okay, it’s show time! Run a steam engine and tender by the water tower and bring them to a halt. After cranking up your transformer to 12 to 18 volts, press the button on the control switch. Listen to the motor awaken, and watch as the spout drops in place.
As you hold the button down, the pump transfers water from the outer tank to an internal reservoir, exactly as Frank intended. You may not see any water spraying into your tender, but from watching the level fall you’ll swear the tank is being emptied.
As soon as your tender is bubbling over, you can stop pressing the button and send the train on its way. The spout springs back up, and the tank appears to refill itself. Wait a few minutes before driving over your next thirsty steamer.
Pretty nifty, eh? The 38 is as magical now as it was more than half a century ago. Just remember that if you decide to store your tower, it makes sense to dump out all the water. Remove the two screw nuts on the roof and pour the liquid into a convenient receptacle. Then clean the tank thoroughly with warm, soapy water (liquid dishwashing detergent should work fine). Let everything dry in the air before replacing the roof and tightening the screw nuts.
Many words have been spoken in praise of Frank Pettit since he passed away more than a year ago. But I can’t think of a better memorial to this imaginative designer than the decision to bring back the no. 38, his long-lost baby.
