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.
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.
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.
From what I found it appears all the lettering should be heat stamped.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
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.
A couple of photos would help. Can you post a few?
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
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