Lionel 520: Why is there a cable reel on the sides?

Here is a Lionel 520 Vintage O Postwar Powered Electric Box Cab Locomotive. This locomotive features a plastic shell, a metal frame, one operating

Lionel 520 Vintage O Postwar Powered Electric Box Cab Locomotive VG

LIONEL TRAINS 520 BOX CAB ELECTRIC

Lionel No. 700e Loco, 700t Tender, 716 Hopper

Life Support Lionel 520

eTrain Article - Train Collectors Association

Buy the Lionel 6-18302 O Scale Great Northern Fallen Flags Ep-5

Auction Database 0206 IN - Stout Auctions

Lionel 0 and 027

Auction Database 0206 IN - Stout Auctions