1959 Doepke super Yardbird Popsicle Red Ball Express train set 7.5 inch gauge

Description

One of 200 1959 Doepke promotional Popsicle RED BALL Express super Yardbird  train set. 7.5 inch track. All but the original locomotive hood was restored. Doepke made this sets from 1955 to the company's end in 1959.  Doepke made their sets plus  there where two promotional sets made for Cocoa Marsh and Popsicle corporations. The sets came in battery and gasoline versions. A good reference web site is Tnttoytrucks .   Google it.  Check out the Doepke Tab.       In 1959 Popsicle had a promotional sweepstakes of 200 sets, for buying its products, and sending in the coupon for sweepstakes of 20 given away each week for 10 weeks plus other prizes.   This is the 6 volt car battery version runs a car starter, driving a v belt to rear trucks. Cars and bottom half of locomotive was Stripped and POWDERED coated ....cars are blue powdered coated with painted red painted trucks, locomotive is powdered coated red with painted black trucks. new stainless steel fasteners. original Starter motor was cleaned and painted, rear truck on locomotive has new seals and gear oil. Light and new reproduction horn works from a  6 volt latern battery as originally. I do not have the cars links, but a 3/8 bolt works fine.  Runs on doepke track or 7.25 to 7.5 inch track.
12 pieces of Doepke track included 8 curves and 4 straight pieces. Approximately 60 feet.  Newly restored.  This is local pickup only in Northern Virginia. Please note it has been run and tested by my grandchildren.  So the wheels paint with run marks.  Just fyi.