You are looking at a Lionel bumper from the 1950s. This is a clean die cast illuminated bumper. As you know, these are usually pretty beaten up; however, this one is still quite clean! It is in the EARLIER postwar classic style box.
When your train hits the black part, your trolley or gang car will reverse direction. OR you can put them at the end of the line in your trainyard. It lights up red on top.
Did you know that there are two main variations of this bumper? This one is the later version with the feet adapted to accommodate Super O track. The earlier ones had back feet that went solid all the way to the back. But for it to fit Super O, starting around 1958, Lionel had to make those feet smaller profile.
CONDITION: C-8 like new. Very clean bumper. A few very small paint rubs, probably from the box, pictured. Tested and works. Box and instructions included. Original instructions. BOX shows some tape residue and light shelfwear.