How to tell if pre-war? Lionel.

[Anonymous]

I am new to the Lionel Train world.  I recently have come into possession of some old Lionel Trains (Santa Fe Diesel Engine, Oil, Flat, Hopper, Log Car, Refrigerator, Box and Cattle cars) and many accessories such as a log loader, milk car platform, stockyard, coal elevator etc.  How can I tell if items are pre war or post war?  Is there a helpful web site to visit to get some general information before I go to a local dealer?  Any help or "pointing in the right direction" would be greatly appreciated.

[ben10ben]

If you have a Santa Fe diesel, there's a pretty darn good chance that it's postwar.

Aside from that, there's one big difference between prewar and postwar trains that's easy to spot. All the postwar trains I know of have knuckle couplers, which are the ones that look like couplers you'd find on real trains. All the prewar trains I know of have some sort of hook coupler, with a hook perpendicular to the track and some sort of box it fits in to. 

Also, a good majority of prewar cars were made of tin plated steel and painted in bright enamels, while most postwar cars were cast plastic. There were a few plastic prewar cars, though, and some of the tinplate cars(namely a few passenger cars) carried over to postwar, but with knuckle couplers.  

[Jumijo]

Since no Santa Fe diesels were made during the prewar era, you have post war trains. Each can be identified by the number on the sides. For instance, the diesel could be a 2343, 2353, etc. Why do you want to go to a dealer with the? I'd be interested in buying if you want to sell.

 

Jim 

[49Lionel]

I'd recommend the two books by David Doyle - prewar and postwar Lionel.  A very small difference in detail can mean the difference between worthless and valuable.

[Frank53]

I'd be interested in buying if you want to sell.

Jim 

  

[Jumijo]

 

LOL, Frank! You sure know how to crack acorns! 

 

I'd be interested in buying if you want to sell.

Jim 

  

  

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the input.  There is an overwhelming amount of info out there!!  Looks like I'll have to continue doing my homework on this stuff.  Thanks again.

[ben10ben]

Here's a great site you might want to check out

www.postwarlionel.com

While it is far from a comprehensive site of everything Lionel made in the postwar years, it does still have some great info and pictures.

 

[lionelsoni]

I agree, Ben.  But watch out--there are a lot of typos and other errors on that site.  (Speaking of errors, some here know that I have a low opinion of Doyle's accuracy.)

[1688torpedo]

 Hello All!  Remember-it's not prewar if there are no "1688 Lionel Lines" Nickel Plates on the sides of the Engine. Anything else is just a train. Take Care.