Around last winter/spring, I acquired someone’s Lionel (and marx) trains, which were donated to the trolley museum I volunteer at. I was curious if it would be possibe to identify the outfit the locomotives came from, judging by what rolling stock and equipment is present. Of course, it isn’t just one set’s worth of stuff I got, not by any means, but perhaps most of the set components are present. I’m not certain it was originally a set. I found an instruction manual for the 2321 in the collection, but no loco, which only furthers doubt that I would have all of the set components. However, the only other Lionel locomotive in the collection was a 623, which was around the same time frame as the 2353, and the (missing) 2321. It was donated to the museum from its original owner, so everything there belonged to the same person. So I do not know for sure, but I would still guess that there was a set that started things. And I would guess, that it was either the 623 or the 2353 that lead the set.
So, I was curious if people knew the set numbers, and what items came with them, for the 623, and 2353. I don’t have the 1954 consumer catalogue, only 1946-1953 (excluding 1947), but then again, catalouges don’t always tell you everything there is to know, and the 2353 was still in production in 1954. I’ll have to check, but I’m pretty sure it does have the roof dimple, that designates mid/late ’53- end of 2353 production.
I will post a list of all the freight cars that came with the collection, as well. Included with the collection is an SP style caboose, not an N5c, if that helps narrow anything down. Again, when I have time, I’ll check all the numbers, variations, etc.
All the Lionel track present is O gauge, not so much as a scrap of Lionel O27 to be found. Also present were a type TW, and KW transformer.
Thanks for any help, between now and when I go note down all the car numbers.
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
The 2353 came out in 1953 & 1954. The 1953 Sets were 2190W, 2207W; 1954 Sets were 2227W, 2234W. I found nothing as a set for the 623, which was possibly a separate sale item, from 1952-1954 time frame.
The 2227W set comprised, in addition to the locomotive: 3562 ATSF operating barrel car and bin, 6356 stock car, 6456 LV hopper, 6468 B&O automobile car, 6417 Lionel Lines caboose, 8 OC curved track, 7 OS straight track, 1 UCS, lockon, lubricant, and instruction booklet.
The 2234W set: 2530 REA baggage, 2531 Silver Dawn observation, 2532 Silver Range dome, 2533 Silver Cloud Pullman, 8 OC curved track, 9 OS straight track, 1 UCS, lockon, lubricant, and instruction booklet.
I don't have a 1953 catalog.
Bob Nelson
Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I took so long, I’ve been bust lately, with a Bar Mitzvah to attend, and needing to rig up an audio system so I could play my records again. Neither the set contents you have described, nor the ones in the 1953 catalouge, line up with the selection of items I have. The cars that I found in the collection were, as follows:
3424 “follow the flag” Wabash Operating Breakman boxcar
6464 Western Pacific Boxcar
6464150 Missouri Pacific “Eagle Merchandise Service” boxcar
6464275 Bangor & Aroostook “State of Maine Products” boxcar
6462 New York Central gondola (black molded plastic, painted green)
6415 Sunoco tripple dome tank car
3650 Searchlight car
6457 Lionel “SP” style caboose
seems to me like they must have all been seperate-sale items, bought one at a time, as savings permitted.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month