Postwar engines with "wrong" tenders

[Anonymous]

I've been looking to buy a few more 1946-early 50's Lionel engines, and since York is a ways off, I've been looking on eBay. It seems a good number of them are being sold with no tender, or a "incorrect" tender, as per the one/ones listed in the Doyle book. What happens to these missing or "correct" tenders? Do dealers sell them for higher prices? If I'm willing to pay above the catalog/book price for a excellent condition pair, I at least want the tender that particular engine was origionally sold with. Any thoughts from postwar collectors/ buyers are appreciated. Joe

[1688torpedo]

Hello Joe! I would stay away from ebay as most folks who sell Trains there have no clue what they are selling. I've seen Trains listed as mint condition by some of the sellers with scratches and dings on them. On the other end of the side. A item can be listed as fair condition when.In fact, It was like new or mint. As to your question of missing Tenders some of them must have gotten lost or damaged through the years.Here are some Engine/ Tender combinations. 1946-49: (726/2426) (2026/2466 or a 6466) (675/2466/ or a 6466) Or go to Lionel postwar trains.com on your computer for more info on the proper engine/tender combinations. And, there is a listing of shops that may have what you're looking for. Good Luck.

[dwiemer]

Joe,
I have done a fair amount of purchases of Postwar Lionel steamers of the vintage you are speaking of. I have seen the same problem. I think, as Kieth mentioned, that a number of these people don't know what they are selling. I have purchased a few "coal cars" that are actually tenders for some of the engines I have bought. Knowing the value of the engine/tender combo, and then the value of each piece, I know that I will not spend over what I can reasonably purchase the tender to go with the engine for. It makes it tough, but I have gotten some good deals. As for condition, I never expect "mint" or even "excellent" unless it comes from a dealer in the box. My purchases have all been from the aspect that they would be run on the rails, and subjected to the abuses that my 3 year old will no doubt be giving them.
Dennis

[daan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1688torpedo

I would stay away from ebay as most folks who sell Trains there have no clue what they are selling.

As in real life, there are on ebay also individual trainshops. They only sell trains, nothing else. You can see in the selling hystory or "other items" if the person knows what he is selling.
The ones who do know what they're talking about, are selling worldwide, accepting paypal and have a "no satisfaction return of the whole purchase price". They are a bit more expensive then others, but they do know what they are doing. I've had some very pleasant buys where items described as "good", where new and never run. I do a small service on every engine before it's going on the track and on 1 of the 10 locomotives I've purchased I found something wrong. Described as used old K-line S2, bought for $30 I've found motor wear and replaced the canmotors. ($2 each).
It is however a surprize how the engines look like for real when they arrive and you only should buy after knowing the prize will be right for it when it's in worse condition as advertized.
Online buying always needs the buyer to keep his eyes open.[;)]

[Jumijo]

A lot of times, the engines and tenders are broken up and sold seperately to garner more money. Same thing with sets.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replys, so far. Funny, but its the eBay train dealers that DO know what they are doing that seem to be the biggest offenders of "wrong tender". They may be thinking, "I could get more for this ABC tender if I sold it as a single item, so I'll throw in a XYZ tender with the engine instead". The "dummy" selling a set from the attic will most likely have the tender it came with. Joe

[Jumijo]

Speaking of wrong tenders, I was watching the Polar Express with my kids over the weekend and it dawned on me that the tender in the movie is more like a 773 or one used with a 2020 (streamlined). The one in the Lionel set is not even close. Also, the Polar Express name is under the windows, not above them like on the set.

Jim

[dwiemer]

Joe,
I always check the seller's history/satisfaction. Also, if you don't wait to the last minute, ask the seller if they have the original tender. If it is a train dealer, tell them that it is supposed to be X tender, perhaps if they know that you know, they will put the correct one with it. If they will not put the right one with it, tell them that you will bid accordingly.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Just got the Greenberg postwar Lionel book, and was happy to see that it has a nice simple section explaining tender differences. This cleared up some questions for me that I wasn't able to get in the Doyle book (much as I like that one). Turns out the 224 I recently bought at a Greenberg Show has a "wrong" tender. Good news is that it only came with higher-priced engines(it has rails on the 4 sides as well as the deck). These tenders have been selling on eBay for just under $100., so I'm happy. Joe