switcher tenders

[needmoretrains]

I have two Lionel 1656 switchers, one with a 6403B tender and the other a 2203B.  Is one of these tenders scarcer than the other?  I notice that the 2203B has the stretched-out lettering along with the detatchable coal load.  Are there any other differences of note?

[cmulligan01]

My Doyle reference book says the 2403B has a coil coupler.  The 6403B has the magnetic coupler.  I don't know about rarity.  The 2403B has a separate coal pile.  The 6403B has a built in coal load mostly.  Some (I'm guessing at the coupler design change) have the separate coal pile.  Looks like those are the only two switcher tenders (postwar) that are metal the rest are plastic.

The 2403B was used with the 1665 switcher.  The earlier 1665 early tenders are heat-stamped and the later ones are rubber-stamped.  Yours must be rubber stamped since the heat stamped ones had the 1946 e unit system.  So it looks like early 1656 engines had tenders carried over from the 1665.  Then new tenders were used.

Would be curious to see the differences side by side.

[Train-O]

http://www.postwarlionel.com/

needmoretrains,

The above link will give you some info. on your switchers, tenders and other Post War Lionel goodies.

Good luck,

Ralph

[phillyreading]

According to Greenberg's guide on page 75 (2006 Ed.) the #1656 (1948-49)came with the #6403B tender, just underneath it is listed a #1665 (1946) with a #2403B tender. Being that they are both 0-4-0 steamers, I would say the other tender matches but is not the correct tender according to Greenberg's guide. It should also be noted that Greenberg don't list every possible engine & tender combo.

One that I know of is the #249E steam engine, pre war, I have one with a tender that Greenberg don't list and I know that it is an original combination, as it belonged to my dad.

Lee F.