1946 Lionel Train with 221 Dreyfuss Steam Engine

[Anonymous]

I got my train as a kid. It came with the 221 Dreyfuss steam engine, New York Central coal car, tanker, box car, flat log car and cabouse. I read that Lionel modeled the the 221 Dreyfus after the New York Centrals Empire State Express and 20th Century Limited passenger trains. Was this train sold with passenger cars? If so, where can I find information about them? Any info. would be much appreciated. Am refurbishing my train board with grandson and thought we might add a passenger car or two if they were made and can be found.
mcwho

[Dave Farquhar]

Here's the best site for this kind of information:
http://www.postwarlionel.com/passcar.html

Lionel made a few passenger cars in 1946, most looked very much like pre-war cars. But the 221 has more of a pre-war look to it also. I don't know if the 221 was ever sold together with the 2440 series passenger cars but from the pics on the site, they wouldn't look bad together.

And nothing stops you from buying later passenger cars, if you like how they look. All the postwar stuff will couple up together and work fine.

I hope this helps.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Mcwho & [#welcome] to the forum! Yes. The 221 did come in a set with 2 Passenger Cars & a Observation Car in the 2440 series. They had Silver Roofs & Light Blue Bodies. I once read somewhere that the 221 was originally designed just before train production ceased & was planned to be part of the 1943 product line which was delayed until after the war was over. This accounts for its prewar looks as well. The Motor it has was used in the prewar 1668 torpedo & the 1666 2-6-2 steam engine as well & was used after the war as a carryover design. Take Care.

[Chris F]

Sets 1400 and 1400W(histle): 221 (gray) with 2430 Pullman (blue, qty. 2) and 2431 Observation (1946)
Sets 1432 and 1432W: same as above, but 221 was black (1947)

Sets 1403 and 1403W: 221 (gray) with 2411 Lionel Lines pipe car, 2465 Sunoco oil (tank) car), and 2472 Pennsylvania caboose (1946)
Sets 1433 and 1433W: same as above, but 221 was black (1947)

Greenberg's 2005 price guide values the 2430 and 2431 passenger cars at $27 (each) in good condition, $65 in excellent condition.

There's only one set of passenger cars on E-bay at the moment, and it's been restored without the lettering.

As Dave noted, Lionel has offered other passenger cars through the years, including some nice light gray/dark gray ones lettered for the NYC.

BTW, [#welcome] to the Forum!

[rogruth]

Chris is correct . The cars were as described with Pullman and the numbers and Observation and the number under the windows.The numbers were near each end with the other words centered . No road names were on the cars .The same cars were with set 1402 .I had the 1400 set {new} in 1946 . I think the 221 loco was also done in black. I saw a 1400 set for sale , minus track , transformer and boxes , at atrain show two years ago for $ 500.00 ! too much for me .

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great information. I had no idea what I would hear back. I will begin a search for the passenger and observation cars. I have the Lionel passenger platform with figures and these cars will add a lot to my layout.
mcwho

[Anonymous]

she runs very smooth.my favorite postwar engine

[1688torpedo]

Magoo- Your 221 is a very nice engine. Looks like you take good care of it also. Have a nice day.