Don......wow! Your post is a keeper. Thank you for taking the time to educate us. So what you are saying is that it might be appropriate to buy the whole family of each.......
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
I have both a 736 and the 2046. I like them both. be hard to chose. so get both!
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
A quite July 3rd, just as well look at Lionel History.
Both the 2046 and 726/736 owe there start to the Pre-war 226E. The 226E was a "Baby Hudson" to sell into the "O Gauge" market of 1938 and had the 2226 die-cast tender. The scale hudson, 700E -5344, was for "O-72 Gauge" only. The 226E had only a two wheel pilot truck but was otherwise a great model. Power for it, like most Lionel engines, used the proven Parallel Plate AC/DC motor driving the wheels through a group of cut steel gears. Only the top end Hudson and 8976 Switcher got the horizontal motor with worm/gear drive. The Worm Drive uses "ball bearing" thrust bearings on the motor shaft which has the steel worm mounted. One of the drivers has a bronze gear mounted on its axle that "meshes" with the worm. This is a very smooth drive used in industry to this day.
The 226 reappeared as the 726 in 1946, this time with an 8 wheel -- worm/gear drive under the hansom castings and with a smoke unit added. The die-cast tender became 2426. Later, with the adding of Magne-Traction in 1950, the number changed to 736. ( For one year, 1952, Magne- Traction was removed and it became a 726-RR) The tender was now the 2671 twelve wheel plastic model. In later years it would get the 2046 eight wheel tender.
The coming of the 2046 in 1950 was a re-birth of the 226E. With a cheeper smoke box front and the 2046 plastic tender it did have lots of improvments. Magne-Traction, Smoke, and the proper 4 wheel pilot truck made this a great looking locomotive. With basically the same motor as the pre-war, it became a great runner.
It's your choice, get a good one checking it for gear wear, E Unit, and Whistle operation. The 726/736 is the "Bershire" Freight Locomotive with a better drive and motor. The 2046 is the "Hudson" Passenger Locomotive with a well proven motor and gearing. 12 wheel tenders, if added, really improves the looks of ether locomotive. I have all 3 in my collection (226E, 726, 2046) and am glad I do not have to choose.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Train-O........To All, I hope that I did not offend anyone............ Ralph
Ralph
Ralph.....no offense taken. As Hudson John said, some of us are partial to Hudsons. Others to what they had as kids. And others to what they have acquired and run over a greater period. To me your choice to me is win-win between the two. My experience and opinion is just that of 1 and is of no material consequence. But the 2046 for me has filled all of my wants and needs. I like it's side rod configuration and Berk boiler detail over the other semi-scale Hudsons (685, 2055, 2056, and 2065) I'd like to get a 773 scale Hudson, but it is a little too pricey for my tastes.
My wife thinks I am a nutcase, but I don't share her opinion and think her experience with me proves otherwise......almost.
Happy hunting! Listen to these guys about what they like about each, functionally and in appearance. Be patient, listen to 88 Brent, and wait for the best sample you can find.
I like Bruce's take on operating over switches and the start -up and smooth slow operation. And I think Train-O is right about the 736 motor being the premier at the time.
And as SJ said, once one bird is in the hand, you can continue to shop around for the other, for down the road. Both the 2046 and the 736 are plentiful and I can't see it changing; so there is no rush unless a choice piece shows up. A bird cannot fly on one wing alone.....oh wait, that is my excuse for never having just one beer.
Let us know what you are finding and what you score. Most of these guys are pretty savvy about what you can expect to pay. In my experience the 736 Berks fetch $75 more for the better examples over the 2046 Hudsons, with tenders. I think it is because the 8 drive wheels look sweet and in real life the Berks were arguably more prodigious haulers.
Jack
There both good engines, get the one that appeals to you, or even better get both, one now one later. Also consider the MPC engines Lionel made copys of the originals in real RR names.
"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
I'd really like a 736 for my next steamer, early 50s version. The better ones cosmetically on auction seem to be fetching $300+ with tender on Ebay. But if I had neither the 736 or the 2046, i agree with Brent.....condition would be my first consideration.....and either one floats my boat.
My 2046 is 60 years old and runs as good as the day I got it. So forgive me if I sounded biased. It is just so bulletproof, and the Berk boiler and multiple drive rod assembly sets it apart from so many other postwar steamers in my opinion. I don't have any multiple engined locos, so the 2046 is my strongest puller.
if you only have budget for one, and you have access to both, my recommendation would be to buy the one that is in the best condition. You won't be disappointed with either.
Thanks for your responses so far. I'll keep reading. (I'm at a crossroads. Both would be great but the budget says: "Just pick one" )
I will defer to those more knowledgeable than I that the 736 will run on less voltage, but when is the last time that ever became a factor when running your trains?
What do you mean when you say the 736 runs smoother than the 2046?
I'm not trying to defend or support one or the other. But the original question was one of "performance."
I like smooth, consistent low speed operation, the ability to haul the heavier postwar cars, negotiate O27 without the wheels binding on the rails around the bends when operating on someone's O27, minimal driver slippage when starting up with a heavier load in tow, and the ability to haul a longer consist if I want. I never came close to running out of transformer voltage on my ZW with my 2046.
So I too am interested in the performance aspect between the two engines.
Thanks,
They are both great engines, but I am biased to Hudsons and I have a 2046.
John
My guess is the 736 would have a little more pulling power than the 2046. I have both and they are both good engines. I have a slight preference for the 736 because I have ridden behind both NKP 765 and PM 1225 and had a lot of fun doing it. Seeing the 736 run reminds me of those good times.
George
lionroar88 Don't sell yourself short... buy both! ;)
Don't sell yourself short... buy both! ;)
I love a problem solver who always has the best interest of the rest of us at heart. Having both the Husdson and the Berk in the stable would be my first choice.
Someone may want to jump in here, but I have to ask: why would a 736 have any more pulling power than a MagnaTraction 2046? Both have 4 of the drive wheels actually driving. In my experience, the only pulling limitations on my 2046 (3 window 1950) have been tractive and curve- diameter-related, not a lack of motor power.
They are both good but I'd pick the 736 for it's wheel looks and easy to work on motor.
traindaddy1,
I have the 2046,1950 version and I find it to be a work horse. I would imagine that the 736 with its finer, beefed up, engine would be a little stronger and smoother, than the 2046.
If you had a choice, based on your experience with the engine's performance, which would you select and why? 736 Berkshire or 2046 Hudson As always, many thanks.
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