2349 Northern Pacific GP9

[mikep]

Hello

I just purchased a 2349 in C7 condition.  I read that these shells were reproduced and having silk-screened lettering.  I believe the one I have is original but can anyone help me idenify if it is original.  The chassis appears to be late 1950's but I am concerned about the cab.

Thank You

Mike

[BigAl 956]

A couple of photos would help. Can you post a few?

[mikep]

Thanks for the reply.  What I found out so far, by searching the internet, is the orignial cab has heat-stamped lettering.  My cab appears to have "BUILT BY LIONEL" heat-stamped on either side.  I cannot tell if the "NORTHERN PACIFIC" or "2349" is heat-stamped or maybe it should not be and only "BUILT BY LIONEL" should be heat-stamped.  This will clear up my issue if someone can comment on this.  I do not think a photo would help since the type of lettering is what needs to be verified.  Other than the lettering, a reproduction would more than likely look the same as the orignial.

[sir james I]

From what I found it appears all the lettering should be heat stamped.

[bridgeengineer]

Be very careful with any cleaning.  Mine had the red lightning bolts for the "radio equipped" lettering, rubber stamped instead of heat stamped, and when I ignorantly tried to clean the shell, the lightning bolts wiped right off.

[cwburfle]

Be very careful with any cleaning.  Mine had the red lightning bolts for the "radio equipped" lettering, rubber stamped instead of heat stamped, and when I ignorantly tried to clean the shell, the lightning bolts wiped right off.

Mine 2349 is packed away. As I recall, the red lightning bolts are rubber stamped, just as bridgeengineer wrote.

It certainly is very easy to damage the finish / decorations on Prewar and Postwar Lionel trains. I lost count of the number of pieces I ruined. Be careful.

[mikep]

Thank you all for the feedback.  I looked alittle closer at the number "2349"  lettering on each side of the cab and one appears to be heat-stamped but the other oh so little (just the way Lionel production was).  I think it is fair to say I have an orignial cab since the "BUILD BY LIONEL" is heat-stamped & maybe the "2349" is heat-stamped.  I can't imagine a reproduction cab having some heat-stamping & some silk-screening.  If it was a reproduction shell, I would expect all lettering to be silk-screened.