Tender Identification

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I was hoping some one could help me identify a tender I just picked up at a garage sale. It is a Lionel 2046w tender. It is in good condition not a chip or a scartch. The thing that confuses me is that there is a small 2046 stamped under Pennsylvania. Is it possible that I got lucky and found a rare version or is this a really good reproduction? I have never seen one like this before but it does look like it is old.

Thanks in advance for the input.
Angelo

[Big_Boy_4005]

It's not a reproduction, and it is not the common version of that tender. The common version would say Lionel Lines on the side, and have the number rubber stamped on the metal bottom.

I'm taking a bit of a guess here, but I think that tender may have come with a 2020, 671, or 681 turbine, because it says Pennsylvania. I'll have to do a little digging. In the meantime someone else may have the answer. Interesting find.

[SPFan]

It was offered in 1952 with the 671. The early 671s had the 12 wheel tender. The 681 came with Lionel Lines on the tender.

Pete

[Anonymous]

Angelo,
What you have described is a variation that I have never seen documented previously. First some clarification as to what has been previously posted

First, the 2020 always came with a 2020W or 6020W Lionel Lines tender. This is a 2446W body style tender. In 1946 no number was stamped on the tender, but only on the box.

The 671 came with the same style tender, although numbered 671W through 1947. The electronic control 671R always used this style tender as well.

The 671 came with the 2671W twelve wheel streamlined tender lettered "Pennsylvania" beginning in 1948. There was no "number plate" molded in the shell.

In 1950 the turbine number changed to 681, but the tender remained the same. In 1952, due to the Korean crisis, Magnetraction was dropped, the number reverted to 671, and the tender changed to 8-wheels, retaining its "Pennsylvania" lettering. The number of this tender was 2046-50 (aka 2046WX), but that number did not appear on the side of the tender. When Magnetraction returned in 1953, the number went back to 681, but the tender continued to be the 2046-50.

The -50 suffix denoted "Pennsylvania" lettering, as the normal 2046W was lettered "Lionel Lines." Some of the 2046W Lionel Lines tenders have 2046W stamped on their number boards. These tenders also have their rear "portholes" filled in. All of the 2046W tenders have metal trucks.

In 1960 a new Pennsylvania tender was introduced, the 736W. This tender at a glance looks like a 2046W-50. However, it rides on Timken (AAR) trucks, and has "736W" stamped on its number board. This tender was supplied with the 736, 637 and one year's production of the 773.

Note that no where did I list a 2046 lettered both "Pennsylvania" and "2046." If that is indeed what you have, you have found a previously unknown variation. The first step in establishing its authenticity would be making sure it does not have Robert Geller or Model Train Sales molded inside it.

Hope this helps,
David Doyle

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hmmm, very interesting. I stand corrected. I knew that I had seen 2046 tenders with Pennsylvania on the side. I knew that I had seen them with 2046 on the side. But I could find no record of any with both on the side. I guess that isn't original.

[Anonymous]

Sorry guys, I made a mistake. I had the 2671 and the 2046 next to each other I was comparing them, thats where the Pennsylvania came from.

It is a 2046w with Lionel Lines on the side. The 2046w is on a number board under the last L in lionel. It is stamped on both sides in the same spot, the portholes are filled in. On the underside there is no 2046 stamp, It has Timkin trucks. Do you guys think it is original? or a parts job? it does not look like it was used as the rollers show little use.

Thanks for the help
Angelo

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a 2046W tender body mounted on a 736W chassis. Could well be a vintage repair job. In time, another will surface for you to sort all the bits out with.

Regards,
David Doyle

[Big_Boy_4005]

No problem Angelo, you forced me to bone up a little on the subject.

So if it is a 2046 that said Lionel Lines, and had the number on the side, it is original.

Actually it would be kind of odd to come across a single piece that was a repro. Normal people like those that sold it to you, generally don't know of such things anyway. That was just what they had left laying around.

The 637 came with a tender like that in '59 and '60. I couldn't find any others listed that way. Like I said, that is not the common variation of that tender.[;)]

[Chris F]

Confirming what Elliot noted, there's a picture on page 25 of Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains, 1945-1969 (Vol.1) with the caption: "637 with 2046W Lionel Lines tender. Note the raised number board and heat-stamped "2046W" on tender side, indicative of late 1950s production."

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the info guys. Sorry about the mix up.

Angelo