The 257 although scarce, isn't quite rare and parts are readily available. As mentioned above the loco was catalogued in 1930 and uncatalogued for a few years. The only real rare version is the one which came with a crackle black tender. If you have this one the paint on the tender shell has a crackly and highly textured appearance. The locos in 1930 had a motor with dual reduction gears, and an orange stripe. In 1931 they went to the single idler gear motor and removed the orange stripe. Several promotional sets were made some including the loco with the desirable 1685/86/87 transition pullmans, there was also a set which paired a stripeless 257 with two tone green 607/608 pullmans. If your loco is the early version you should correctly place it with the 800 series freight cars, or the 529/530 pullmans. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions im sure we all would be glad to help. As for replacement parts contact Jeff at ttender.com or olsens at olsenstoy.com. I also have a 257 with an orange stripe and early motor paired with a 257t 806 cattle car and 807 caboose. This was a uncatalogued 1930 set which contained the scarce orange and pea green cattle car.
Kitisi11 wrote:thanks rockisland52, my cars were passenger cars, the reason Im looking for these is that this set was my dads when he was small and I would like to have them up next Christmas when he comes here, he is 92, He always talks about those trains,
You may want to consult these Prewar guys about getting these serviced first. Based on the train's scarcity, it may take some time to find parts if needed. And these would be the guys who could give advice on finding parts. You said you were over 100 miles away from the nearest train shop, but something this old may not be standard fare that a train repair guy would see or know how to service/repair.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
The 257/258 was available in the Lionel catalog in 1930 and in the Ives catalog in 1931. At that time Ives was Lionel, but these sported an Ives nameplate as mentioned earlier in this thread. Ozzy, your reference is correct, but the only 257/258s available after 1932 were in uncatalogued sets. Production stopped in 1933. The "late" 258 introduced in 1941 was completely different and looked more like the 259e steamer.
The uncatalogued sets matched the 257s with both the 629-630 passenger cars, as well as the larger 603/604 or the 607/608 passenger cars. I think they both look great with it. Again, even though its doesn't garner the recognition that other engines do, the 257 has very low production numbers given its short existence and represents the first steamer Lionel offered. Pretty nice piece of history if you ask me.
the book i have say....
257 2-4-0 1930 to 1935
258 2-4-0 early 1930 to 1935
258 2-4-2 late 1941
i guess it could have an error tho.
Ckeck this out. There was a Lionel Ives Transition Set with a No. 257 Locomotive.
http://www.classic-collectables.com/gal11.htm
Here are copies of page 8 from the 1930 catalog. I do not have the 1931 catalog.
Click on the first pic for a larger pic.
From page 13 of the 1930 catalog, click on the pic for a larger pic
This engine was only available for two years in Lionel catalogs (1930 and '31). It was also Lionel's first steam engine in "O" gauge, but was soon replaced, so it was only made for a couple of years. The 257 and the 258 were the same steam engine, except the 258 came with a manual reverse lever located in the cab.
My 1930 Lionel catalog shows the 257 paired with a 629 Pullman and 630 Observation car. These are the smaller 4-wheel passenger cars. You could also pair it with the similar 529 Pullman and 530 Observation car. The only real difference between the 600's and 500's were the colors offered. Here are some pictures of my 258 and a 4-wheel 529 passenger car that would go with it. If I have time, I'll post a picture later of my 258 pulling a 629 and 630 car that matches the 1930 catalog. The good news is that these great little passenger cars are pretty easy to find and not very expensive. If you need more info, feel free to email me or post a question.
RockIsland52 wrote: Two library books to look for, also sold on Amazon.com1.) Greenberg's Guide To Lionel Trains 1901-1942.2.) The Standard Catalogue of Lionel Trains 1900-1942 by David Doyle. Also, on the "Toy train operating and collecting" main page, go to the bottom of the page and type in "Lionel 257" in the search box. One thread entitled "looking for suggestions on prewar steam" there is a post from 10/28/06 @6:52pm from pbjwilson that I think talks about the 257 and passenger cars. Try that. However, his link to a 257 set on ebay is no longer working because it is too old.pbjwilson is Paul the Painter. He is a very helpful regular on the forum and will probably read your posts on the 257. Otherwise, you can send him a private message or an e-mail or simply reply to his 10/28/06 post.JackImages Tried but couldn't get these pics centered. Two 629 Pullman passenger cars and one 630 "obsevation" with the 657 loco and 657T tender as found in the "completed" listings on ebay today. Is this what you have/had?Jack
Two library books to look for, also sold on Amazon.com
1.) Greenberg's Guide To Lionel Trains 1901-1942.
2.) The Standard Catalogue of Lionel Trains 1900-1942 by David Doyle.
Also, on the "Toy train operating and collecting" main page, go to the bottom of the page and type in "Lionel 257" in the search box. One thread entitled "looking for suggestions on prewar steam" there is a post from 10/28/06 @6:52pm from pbjwilson that I think talks about the 257 and passenger cars. Try that. However, his link to a 257 set on ebay is no longer working because it is too old.
pbjwilson is Paul the Painter. He is a very helpful regular on the forum and will probably read your posts on the 257. Otherwise, you can send him a private message or an e-mail or simply reply to his 10/28/06 post.
Tried but couldn't get these pics centered. Two 629 Pullman passenger cars and one 630 "obsevation" with the 657 loco and 657T tender as found in the "completed" listings on ebay today. Is this what you have/had?
Here's the listing.......
Here we have a Lionel prewar 257 set it contains the engine and tender, 831 flatcar, 805 boxcar, 804 shell tank car, 804 sunoco tank car and 807 caboose. All items are completely restored all paint removed and repainted all trim polished this is one nice set that any train buff would be happy to run. The engine is the verison with out the reverse lever the engine only runs forward runs well and headlight works the cowcatcher is a replacement due to the fact that this set was restored I am selling as is what you see is what you get A fine tinplate lionel set Please feel free to email with any questions or would like more photos Please add 30.00 for shipping and INS it will be a heavy box when packed.
Thank You
You may want to go to ebay.com and do a search "Lionel 257" and select "all categories. There's some stuff there.
One item is described as a pre war Lionel 257 loco with a 257T tender. 1930-1935. Since I don't have any reference manuals, this is a start. I'm certain a lot of folks on this forum will answer your questions in greater detail when they read your post.
I have my dads engine it is a Lionel the number on the cab says Linonel Lines No 257, I only have the engine and tender, I would like to know the age of this as well as any suggestions on what cars went with it, the nearest train store is over 120 miles away, appreciate any help. I have several p[ictures but I do n ot know how to post pictures here Thank you in Advance
Ken Olsen
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