If you grew up with the classic Lionel 175 Gantry, you probably remember the original rocket. Even as a kid in the early \\\'60s, it bothered me. I hadn\\\'t even hit my teens yet, but I knew that NASA didn\\\'t launch rockets with giant sponges on the nose. I wanted something that looked like the real missiles I saw on the news—the ones with the sharp lines and the iconic escape towers.

Now that I’ve spent the last year \\\"going nuts\\\" with my 3D printer, the very first thing I had to do was fix the 175 rocket problem.

Engineering a \\\"Lionel-Scale\\\" Mercury-Atlas
To make this work, I had to take some significant engineering liberties. If I built a true 1:48 scale Mercury-Atlas, it would be far too tall to ever fit inside the actual Lionel 175 Gantry.

Instead, I redesigned the proportions—keeping it shorter and stockier so it fits perfectly within the \\\"itty bitty\\\" constraints of the Lionel crane, while maintaining the unmistakable visual signature of the NASA Mercury program. When it\\\'s sitting on your layout, it looks like a powerhouse ready for the launchpad, not a toy.

Deep Roots in Aerospace History
This project is personal for me. I grew up in Mentone, California, just down the road from Grand Central Rocket (which later became Lockheed Propulsion). They were the ones who built the actual solid-fuel Escape Towers—that iconic red-orange lattice structure—for both the Mercury and Apollo programs.

I’ve brought that lifelong fascination with those \\\"Escape Towers\\\" into this design. It’s my way of sharing a piece of that Southern California aerospace heritage with other hobbyists who want their layout to feel authentic.

Key Features of the Cinder Streets Rocket Mod:
NASA Mercury-Atlas Profile: Captures the authentic look of the Space Race era.

Designed to Fit: Specifically engineered (and shortened) to function perfectly within the Lionel 175 Gantry crane.

High-Detail 3D Print: Replaces the unrealistic original \\\"sponge\\\" tip with a sharp, multi-piece assembly.

The \\\"Mentone\\\" Escape Tower: Includes the iconic lattice tower, modeled after the real Lockheed/Grand Central engineering.

Easy Assembly: A simple 4-piece kit that instantly upgrades your accessory from \\\"toy\\\" to \\\"model.\\\"

Included in this 4-Piece Kit:
One (1) Body Tube (White)

One (1) Conical Nose Cone (Black)

One (1) Fin Can/Engine Assembly (Black)

One (1) Lattice Escape Tower (Red/Orange)

Note: This is a 3D-printed kit designed as a replacement part. Lionel 175 Gantry base and crane are not included.

Shipping Note: Remember, if your total order is over $50, shipping is FREE!