Lionel Classics - 736,681,2026,665 or 2339 - which would you pick?

[FEClionel]

Around this time of year I seem to get nostalgic about the postwar years - including Lionel's glory days. I have quite a few Lionel PW rolling stock items floating around without a PW engine to pull them. I was thinking of recreating a postwar set with my LN 6427 caboose and LN 3359 twin bin coal dump car. I also have a few late 40's cars floating around. Which is the best of these to head this set around the tree (with the polar express) 736 Berkshire (later 50's type), 681 turbine S2 , 2026 40's classis Prarie, 665 Santa Fe Hudson or a Wabash 2339 GP-7. Any ideas?

[Dr. John]

My favorite from this list would be the 2026 (or a late 1666). Of course, they are all good choices!

[lionelsuperotrack]

 The 736 (2-8-4) or the 681 (6-8-6). My 681 pulls like a mule!

Season's Best, Mike

Lionel_SuperO_Track Yahoo Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_SuperO_Track/ )

Lionel 1957 "Super O" Showroom Layout
( http://www.trains.com/ctt/objects/pdf/lionel_57_layout.pdf )

"Super O" Guides Which are GREAT!!
( http://search.reviews.ebay.com/members/lionelsuperotrack_W0QQuqtZg )

Lionel_FasTrack_System Yahoo Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/ )



 

 

[okiechoochoo]

I vote for the 665, always has been my favorite steamer

[casconi]

I have both engines. My 736 is great and looks more realistic than the 681. However, I think the 681 is a better puller, derails less, and steams better. My two cents!

[Jumijo]

The 736 is the only one of those I don't own. But I'm working on it.

 

Jim 

[FEClionel]

How about a 675, 681/82 or 736 which is the better runner? For me it come down to which looks the best hauling a work train.

[Deputy]

First choice:682. They are out there but PRICEY.

Second choice:681. More common and middle of price range.

Third Chose: 671. Most common and fairly reasonable.

I just nailed a 671 and 681 on E-Bay. Both came with 12-wheel tenders. 

Dep

[anjdevil2]

I have a Pennsy Flyer, NY Central w/Trainsounds, 2002 Fire Train, a '70's Plastic 2-4-2 and my 2037 that I had to wire up the e-unit.  I spent a total of $80 on the 2037 and I just LOVE IT!! It out runs, out pulls and just is the best engine I own.  I have on lay-a-way at my LHS, a 1948 2020 S-2 turbine with a 6020W tender (which I can't wait to get!!!)  For sounds, the Fire engine rocks, for shear neat-o coolness the 2037 is just too awesome. 

Can I expect my S-2 to be just as neat??

[Jumijo]

I have a Pennsy Flyer, NY Central w/Trainsounds, 2002 Fire Train, a '70's Plastic 2-4-2 and my 2037 that I had to wire up the e-unit.  I spent a total of $80 on the 2037 and I just LOVE IT!! It out runs, out pulls and just is the best engine I own.  I have on lay-a-way at my LHS, a 1948 2020 S-2 turbine with a 6020W tender (which I can't wait to get!!!)  For sounds, the Fire engine rocks, for shear neat-o coolness the 2037 is just too awesome. 

Can I expect my S-2 to be just as neat??

I have a 2037 and like yours, it's a real performer. I bought it at a local train shop for $65 about a month ago. It was paired with a 2020W tender that's in incredible shape. I actually bought the pair because I wanted the tender. The fact that the 2037 runs so well was a bonus.

I have a Williams 671. It was my first Williams locomotive purchase (but not the last). I saw many PW Lionel 671s and 2020s at a train show 2 weeks ago for $90 -$110. All in excellent shape.

 

Jim 

[Deputy]

Can I expect my S-2 to be just as neat??

In a word...YES!!! The S2 in just about any form is a fantastic puller. Even the non-magnetraction early ones can really haul a load. 

Dep

 

[3railguy]

Since the twin bin is from the late postwar era and closer to scale than 027 cars, my choice would be either the 736 or Wabash geep since they fit the late postwar era and are closer to scale size. The Wabash colors compliment the holidays.

[LL675]

I like them all, but my personal favorites are : 736,675,671,1666,2046,1684(Dad'S)

[ben10ben]

"How about a 675, 681/82 or 736 which is the better runner?"

Between the 675 and 681, the 675 is hands-down the better runner, although the 681 is the better puller. I don't own a 736, so can't comment.

[Jim Rotella]

How about a 675, 681/82 or 736 which is the better runner? For me it come down to which looks the best hauling a work train.

In my opinion, the 736 is the best all around runner of the above mentioned engines. It should pull your work train very easily.

 Jim

[lionelsuperotrack]

The 2020 does not have magnetraction and will not pull nearly as well as the 681 which has magnetraction. My suggestion is go with the 681.

 Season's Best, Mike

[otftch]

I'd have to go with the diesel.

                                      Ed

[Jumijo]

I have an early 2025, whick is the O27 version of the 675. It will pull tree stumps all day long and is a smooth runner.

 

Jim 

[Deputy]

The 2020 does not have magnetraction and will not pull nearly as well as the 681 which has magnetraction. My suggestion is go with the 681.

 Season's Best, Mike

Which may not be an issue if you are using MTH RealTrax (magnetraction doesn't work on RealTrax). I've had S2s with the steel tires and no magnetraction and they still pulled quite well. Depends on the load you are pulling (old rolling stock, aluminum cars, fast angkle wheels, etc) and whether you are going up steep grades or not.

Dep

[ben10ben]

If you're using a non-ferromagnetic track, you would in all likelyhood be better off with a 671/2020. Later versions of these had an additional weight in the boiler right over the front set of drivers that served to increase traction.

[Deputy]

If you're using a non-ferromagnetic track, you would in all likelyhood be better off with a 671/2020. Later versions of these had an additional weight in the boiler right over the front set of drivers that served to increase traction.

Interesting Ben! Didn't realize that!!!

Dep

[ADCX Rob]

I machined one of those weights & added it to my 726RR some years back.  It turned into a pretty respectable puller w/ just that one mod.

Rob 

[lionel2]

The 681 is a good puller....i will pick that mainly because my dad had a 681 set when he was a kid in the 40's and 50's....so it was one of the first engines i bought when i was a kid in the 90's..hint hint...i have all the cars he had too...funny thing is he misses his trains...so i would have to run a few engines every other week to remind him of the good ole days...my 681 can pull my 5 aluminum passenger cars with no problem...2530,2531,2532,2533,2534....lionel lines...and can pull my 3 heavy weights...2625,2625,2625...same number...different name....but i do not have a 736 i would like one..i hear they are the best steam pullers...i just like the turbines..little wheels spinning..its cool..and fairly simple design...thanks

[Anonymous]

Should have added a 726 in the mix,...  For me I'd love to have them all.  I'm working on a 726 berk now and really eye-balling a 736.  Maybe I'll work my way up the list, until Grandma starts barkin!!  

Granpa

[Anonymous]

Got to go with Dad's old engine, the 726 Berk.

[c50truck]

My favorite from this list would be the 2026 (or a late 1666). Of course, they are all good choices!

Dr John,

I have a couple Marx 666 that will outpull my sluggish 2026. But the real puller I own is the Lionel 2025. A real work horse on 027.

Rod LaFrance 

 

[msacco]

You may want to overhaul that 2026 'cause there's no way it should be outpulled by a 666. I have both and I do love the 666s but it just not in the same league.

Mike S.