Lionel No. 2173 WS

[Anonymous]

In the process of remodeling a home, I found a Lionel Train set in the Attic. I would like to know some sort of value of it. It is in the original box and all the cars are in their original boxes, they are all in excellent condition but, I have not set it up to see if all the cars work. From the condition of the set I don't see any reason they would not work. My son is very anxcious to set it up but I won't let him until I see what the valut of the set is.

Outer Box: Lionel Trains with Magna - Traction
"O" GA Freight Train with whistle and smoke

Locomotive #681, Train Cars, #3472, 2671, 3469, 6465, 6467

[lionelsoni]

Someone else may be able to tell you what the set is worth. In my opinion, you have the most desirable version of the locomotive, that is, with magnetraction, without the unrealistically large lubricating link added later for the 682 (which is, however, rarer and more valuable), and with the 12-wheel 2671 tender, which is much nicer than the later 8-wheel 2046 tender. Your set dates from 1950 or 1951.

You can read about the locomotive at
http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=681

[daan]

In my opinion I would spend a few bucks on a nice trainset for your son and leave the box as it is. Boxed trains, with all the boxes in good condition, complete and original are very rare and worth a lot of money.
The set should date from about 1950, which is over 50 years ago. Emagine that time and think of all the cardboard boxes and how they look now. How many do you think survived 50 years without damage?
I don't know exact prices, but I would stay on the safe side and keep it a bit longer away from your son.. The fact that the whole set is boxed and in mint condition (as you say, boxes and train) makes it valuable.

[Chris F]

The set was cataloged in 1950 and 1951. I believe the "6467" car you listed is actually the 6457 Lionel caboose.

FWIW, my 1997 TM price guide shows a price of $550 for the set in excellent condition.