Prewar O Gauge Hiawathas

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

I have fallen in love with the prewar Lionel and American flyer Hiawatha Trains.
Does anybody know where I can find those. If I can find a Lionel, a Pride Lines Hiawatha Will work.

Nick

[mersenne6]

You didn't indicate whether or not you wanted those sets made before WWII or after. At the moment (9 September 2004 5:15 P.M. EST) there are 3 #6-51000 sets (The Lionel 1988 re-issue of the prewar Hiawatha set) up for bidding on e-bay.

[lionelsoni]

He did say "prewar".

Mersenne6, is your birthdate January 31, 1971, by any chance?

[mersenne6]

True, he did say prewar. I should have asked if by "prewar" he meant only those that were actually built in the prewar period. The reference to Pride Lines suggested (to me anyway) he might be willing to consider prewar and anything resembling prewar as long as it had either an American Flyer or Lionel Mfr. mark.

Either way, the 1988 re-issue by Lionel matches the prewar construction right down to the motor and the electro-mechanical whistle in the tender. The cars have different numberings and the Mfr casting ID in the base reflects 1988 Lionel but otherwise it looks and runs like the original and it is a lot less expensive. I've had mine up and running on several occasions and it is quite a sight. If you should buy one of the 1988 versions be prepared to take everything apart (including the tender) in order to give everything a thorough lube and oil treatment because it will probably be bone dry as far as lubrication is concerned.

As for the American Flyer version, your best bet is either one of the very big TCA meets such as the Eastern Division meet at York or e-bay. If you are trying to find one in excellent original condition be prepared to spend a lot of money (as in multiples of thousands).

As for the birthday - nope, sorry, not even close. why?

[Anonymous]

Actually,

I was on Pride Lines website and they have made an 0-31 Hiawatha that looks just like the American Flyer as well as an 0-72 Hiawatha That is Like Lionels. Problem solved.

Nick

[lionelsoni]

As you probably know, the sixth Mersenne prime is 131071, which looks enough like that date that I thought you might have adopted the name to commemorate something like your birthdate.

[mersenne6]

Ah, I see. I chose mersenne6 for two reasons.

1. Mersenne himself was the ISP of his day. He knew everyone in most of the branches of science and mathematics and they knew him. If you made an interesting discovery in either science or math and wanted to discuss it with someone but didn't know whom to talk to you would write Mersenne detailing your finding/interest and he would forward your letter to someone he thought might be interested in discussing it with you - a very slow packet transfer rate but it did get the job done.

2. Mersenne also studied perfect numbers - numbers that are the sum of their factors. 6 is the first perfect number 1 x 2 x 3 = 1 + 2 + 3.

In addition to all aspects of trains I'm also interested in the history of mathematics and technology. I thought the s/n was a nice blend of math and "early internet technology".