Lionel B&O 626 Diesel Switcher

[Anonymous]

I just came across this rare uncatoulged Diesel Engine Switcher from 1957, it is in good shape, some paint on the handrails need addressing, but no rust or anything that would cause it to be classified less than excellent or C-7 grade.

Has not been tested. But engine looks OK from observation.

Any idea of what it is worth?

And did it come with a set, because when I aquired it, it came with some other cars from the Post-War period.

Thanks in advance,

Keith

[LS1Heli]

A difficult engine to locate (even more so in C7 and above condition). I truly believe that it is the rarest of the 44 Tonners but since the 629 Burlington looks so good and a nice examples are difficult to find with truly "fresh" silver, it takes the lead in both pricing and difficulty locating.

The 626 is from 1957 only not 1959 like the Greenberg's guides have been stating for the past 20 years.

It came either in uncataloged sets for Sears or sepearte sale. All 44 tonners are prone to paint chipping and screw hole cracks. That combined with poor graphics (the yellow stripe) really destoy the value of these engines.

I have seen examples like yours get $200 to $250 or even less on eBay and examples in C8 condition with the box and inserts go as high as $900. It depends on if we are talking about operators junk or collector quality piece.

I came in a set which consisted of the 626, 6112 black gondola with 4 red canisters, X6014 red Baby Ruth boxcar, 6560 red crane car and finally a 6119-25 orange work caboose. 

[Anonymous]

I think that I have that entire set. I could be wrong on my grading, but the entire engine is good to excellent shape with some paint work needed on the front hand rails.

Do you recall what the set was called?

I have the crane, caboose, the red box car, a work type of car, all are in good shape.

 

Keith

[LS1Heli]

C5 (good) to C7 (excellent) is a huge grading gap. If you have a screw hole crack or flaking on the yellow stripe then you can really throw the $ out the window. Not sure what you mean by paint work, but if you want maximum $ for it I would NOT paint anything. Better off to leave original. You only paint junk.

The set did not have a name. Uncataloged set which started with a X.