My father is getting into playing with and collecting Lionel trains. He recently bought a set of trains and parts from a private seller. He's going through a price guide to see the actual value of some of his new toys and has come across a tender box that has no number assigned/engraved or even a year. Is this normal? We know it's a Lionel and it's O guage...but that's about it. Has anyone else run into this before? Any thoughts or help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the forum.
The box for the tender may or may not be original to the tender. The tender may not have had an original box when purchased, and an unstamped one may have been given with the sale. I have had this happen with a purchase of my own. An outside chance the box may be a reproduction also exists. Check with the seller on this if he/she was the original owner. The tender should have a number stamped on the frame underneath.
Watch out for the trap of price guides. The trains are worth what you paid for them, which may or may not be close to the guide value. The prices in the guide are an average taken from various auctions and private sales, and reflect strict grading of quality. You will never get the "book value" when you sell trains, unless it is to an uninformed person. The guides just get you in the ballpark, and are not the "final word" when trying to buy or sell.
Larry
I have come across a couple unmarked Lionel rolling stock boxes. These came from sets that were manufactured by Lionel for a specific seller such as Target or Sears. Train club cars back in the MPC days also had numerous unmarked boxes or mismarked boxes if the items were repainted for the club.
As far as value in today's market, E-Bay is an excellent barometer. Check out the item number in E-Bay's Lionel category, if it is listed, mark the item in your watch list, you will get an idea what the selling price is.
Bill T.
Weda---> .
If Dad is truly getting back into playing with trains, put away the price guides. Circle the calendar dates of some upcoming train/toy shows in your area. This will satisfy the hunter-gatherer needs. .
Weda,
I have a Slope back tender with nothing on it as well. Never have been able to figure it out. Tell your dad if he is starting to collect, he should start to play as well. Kev.
I have a Slope back tender with nothing on it as well. Never have been able to figure it out. Tell your dad if he is starting to collect, he should start to play as well.
Kev.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Welcome to the forum. Lots of good people here that are able to answer almost any O gage related question.
Like others have pointed out, unmarked tenders are not unusual. I've got a MPC era tender in Grand Trunk markings that I'm trying to figure out. My guess is that it was part of a low end train set.
Keep asking questions and enjoy the hobby.
HI Kevin,
If your slopeback tender is unmarked shell, it would be either a 1061t or 1062t. Both have AAR trucks, but the 1062t has a copper strap to the front axle assembly. Both should have silver colored bases also. I have quite a few slopeback tenders, that go with my 1615 & 1625 steam engines, and a 1062t that mates with a 1001 engine, which is the correct one for this combo. Hope this clears up your confusion.
Jerry (Teledoc)
Welcome to a great hobby!
What year or vintage are these trains? What engine # is matched to this tender?
In 1946, the tender which came with the 2020 was unmarked on the bottom of the tender, but the box did have 2020W printed on the end; however, as mentioned earlier, the box may not be original to the tender.
best wishes - enjoy the hobby - operating and collecting!
"Scatter Joy" - Emerson
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