Shiny aluminum smokestacks

[Anonymous]

hello -- I have seen a few post war steamers that have an polished aluminum smokestack. I have a 675 like this and I have seen a 726 with one. Why was this done? Most 675's & 726's have the normal stack while this pressed in shiny stack seams kind of rare.  Thanx for any info on this... Alex

[cnjcomp]

I have two Lionel 2025 engines.  I think they are the same engine as the 675. One is a 1947 issue that has the aluminum stack. The other is a 1952 version that has a black stack.  From info I have gathered it seems for this engine anyway, Lionel only used the unpainted aluminum stack in 1947.  The 1948-49 version was black, and the 1952 version besides being black also did not have magnetraction, had different drivers, internals, and a sheet metal four wheel trailing truck.