Common Prewar and Postwar stuff

[Santa Fe Kent]

I enjoy seeing info on common, inexpensive Lionel items! How about some articles on common Prewar and Postwar sets as well as loco's and cars?!! I would like to get a better picture of typical O gauge stuff that was commonly bought back then.

[Frank53]

Nothing extraordinary here. Nice common everyday postwar Made In The USA Lionel trains:

 

[BlackJack]

I agree. I'd like to see some articles on the more common locos like the 2037, and some of the common cars. I've looked at some sites on the web for descriptions, I think postwarlionel or something like that is a site with some info.

Also there are some books like the greenberg  books that list sets from 45-69 that were cataloged-some of the sets have pictures. The uncataloged set book is also interesting-the discount prices, stores, and sometimes odd set components.  Other books in the series cover locos and freight cars in good detail.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Postwar is when they used plastics for the bodies right? Is #1666 (a 2-4-0) comon? Wish I knew  how to post pics on here.

[ben10ben]

If you look down the page a little bit, you'll see a thread about the 675. This is a great running little engine that doesn't cost a whole lot(I think I paid $110 for it). The 2025 is identical, and often about the same price. They have a headlight, smoke, and usually come with a whistling tender.

I also have a 2056, which is a fairly nice running engine that doesn't cost a whole lot more than a 675/2025.

[RR Redneck]

Nothing extraordinary here. Nice common everyday postwar Made In The USA Lionel trains:

 

That layout will be way past extrodinary once you are done with it.

[Anonymous]

The 1684 with the 1689t  they are my favorite prewar diecast steamer.It sees a lot of run time on my 4x8 layout.

[RR Redneck]

I have several models similar to that. I have so many that if I buy one more, then I MIGHT have too many.

[Jumijo]

It's always a pleasure to look at photos of Frank's layout. Thanks for sharing, Frank. Looking good.

Jim

[Frank53]

That layout will be way past extrodinary once you are done with it.

It's always a pleasure to look at photos of Frank's layout. Thanks for sharing, Frank. Looking good.

you fellows are too kind. I think what will be extraordinary is if I ever finish it. Thanks for your gracious comments.

[envfocus]

This was my mothers Christmas train that got me started.  My mom told me that grandpa purchased it in downtown Detroit at Sears in 1934.  It cost $10.75.  I still have the catalogue he purchased it from.  It’s the 242E Passenger Train outfit headed by Lionel’s “finest low priced steam engine ever made” according to the catalogue .  The 259E was Lionel’s entry level steam engine during the 1930s.  Its pulling a 603 Pullman and 604 Observation car.  It’s one of the most “common” prewar engines, but I love it best!

Well, the picture worked in the preview, so I'm not sure why its not working here.  Here is a link to my photo:

http://www.davisfamilyphotos.net/~photos/tn/5246_1024.ts1158328320000.jpg

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Now thats the lionel I remember! Old, has an almost cartoony snce ot it and usually bent in one way or another(almost exclusibly the cowcatcher)

[1688torpedo]

Hello Envfocus!   That is a nice 259E Set you have there. Hope it runs well for you. Take Care.

[prewardude]

Hello Envfocus!   That is a nice 259E Set you have there. Hope it runs well for you. Take Care.

Regards,
Clint

[envfocus]

Thanks Clint and Keith.  I have 3 prewar engines right now (the 259e, a 253 and 254) and they all run great.  I hope that I run that well when I get past 70 years old!!

[Dr. John]

Here's my prewar 250 set:

and my postwar 2037:

[Anonymous]

Dr. John,

                     The 2037 and the 250 set are both beautiful!  Just be sure to keep both ends of the armature shaft in the 2037 lubricated, especially where the shaft comes through the brushplate.  I know from experience that the hole in the brushplate will become enlarged if it is not kept lubricated.  I use white lithium grease in mine.  I think that the fiber board brushplates are the the weak point in locomotives like the 2037 and 675.  If you take your 2037 apart, check the shaft where it comes through the brushplate.  If the shaft can be wiggled side to side, get another brushplate.  If this problem is not corrected, the gears will be subjected to undue wear.  The 2037 is a great great runner, aside from the potential problem with the brushplate.  Your 2037 is the best I've seen for a long time! Have fun with it!    

 

[Dr. John]

Jim, thanks for the head's up about the potential brushplate problem. I was not aware of that. I'll be sure to give it a lube job with white lithium grease.

[envfocus]

The link below will take you to a picture of some the inexpensive 800 series, four-wheel O gauge freight cars offered by Lionel in the 1920s and 30s, except for the 809 dump car which was not introduced by Lionel until 1930.  Each of these freight cars has a larger “sister” car that has eight wheels and was more expensive.  These entry-level four-wheel cars typically sold for around $1.00 while the larger 8-wheel cars were $2 or more.  By 1936, Lionel no longer offered these inexpensive freight cars in their catologues, although they were included in some uncatologued sets through 1942.  As my picture shows, I'm missing a couple, but half the fun is trying to find them right?

http://www.davisfamilyphotos.net/~photos/tn/5289_1024.ts1158449272000.jpg