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Is my 1952 lionel 726rr a prewar 226e in disguise?

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  • Member since
    June 2023
  • 137 posts
Is my 1952 lionel 726rr a prewar 226e in disguise?
Posted by James Huff on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 4:52 PM

If the 726 rr has the same shell as a 226e can i install a red boiler light below the pulmor motor? is this possible?

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
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Posted by ADCX Rob on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 6:29 PM

Well, no. While the boiler casting of the 726/736/726RR was made from a modification of the 226E, the drive is completely different as the 226E is a parallel plate motor and the 726/736/726RR has a longitudinal worm drive.

Now, the 2046/2056/646/8600 much closer resembles the 226E as it also was made from a modification of the 226E boiler, but they maintain the parallel plate 6 wheel drive configuration.

Rob

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, June 27, 2024 8:43 AM

I don't have a 726 but I DO have a 736.  I just turned it over and I don't see how you could install a light fixture in the firebox area without some serious modifications to the frame.  Honestly I don't think it's worth the effort, there's too much metal you'd have to remove and I don't see how you'd do it without damaging the frame beyond repair. 

  • Member since
    January 2023
  • 131 posts
Posted by El Fixes Things on Thursday, June 27, 2024 9:41 AM

Due to the way the 726/726RR/736 is designed, you really don't have any space above the rear truck to put a firebox lamp- because the motor is located there. I agree you might have better hope of trying that with a 2046/2056/646, which are much closer to the 226E. You would still likely need to modify something, but it would be much more feasible as there is some space to work with.

-Ellie

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    July 2003
  • From: US
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Posted by Curmudgeon on Thursday, June 27, 2024 1:25 PM

James Huff

If the 726 rr has the same shell as a 226e can i install a red boiler light below the pulmor motor? is this possible?

 

 

Uh, yeah. No.

Never the same casting. Not even really interchangeable without work to rear mounting (if I recall) and complete removal of smoke unit.

Even if the add-on piping of a 226E is ignored, look at the blast pipes out the top of the cylinders. GENERALLY align with stack. On 226E they do. On 726 and later, mostly due to original dimpled bulb smoke unit, smoke stack moved aft.

I have all three for easy comparison!

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