Taken from 1995 Catalog

LIONEL HISTORY

Lionel has had a series of diners but I think the Chat and Chew is the best one. It was released between 1992-95 as #12802. The first of the recent batch was #12722, which was released between 1988-89. It was labeled the Lionelville Diner. This one numbered #12722 had a gray base, beige sides, and a red roof. It has as smoke unit, which is also used on cabooses and bunk cars. Next was #12771 Mom’s Roadside diner, which was released between 1990-91. It had a dark brown base, yellow car, and light gray roof. The 12802 is almost identical except for colors. It has a green base, red sides, and black roof. What makes it more attractive to me is it also has two lights to illuminate the parking area.

LIONEL DESCRIPTION

The Chat and Chew diner is now open for business! And with all those breakfast specials, great prices and good food, boy is business booming! Watch smoke drift across your layout, creating the illusion of a busy grill. There’s no better way to satisfy the huger of a busy Lionelville railroader than with a good hearty meal at the Chat and Chew, Includes an illuminated interior, customer silhouettes in the windows, an operating smokestack, two highway lights and smoke fluid.

FEATURES

• Working Smokestack

• Two highway lights

• Customer silhouettes

INSTALLATION

I installed the diner on the Nuclear Reactor module along a road that runs through it. I did have to modify it though. Because of the way it sat the chimney was on the far end of the layout. I therefore reversed the diner on the base so I could more easily fill it. When I hooked it up I connected the lights to the main light bus but hooked the smoke unit to a switch on the control panel.

REFERENCES

LaVoie, Roland. Greenberg’s Guide to Lionel Trains 1970-1997 Volume III: Accessories

TECHNICAL DATA

Installed