Best postwar Lionel engine. Cheap!

[Anonymous]

First of all I am finacially challenged. (OR you could say cheap). But I am looking for the best Lionel postwar engine to buy on Ebay. I have some Marx engines and I am building a layout. I under stand the issues of compatibility between the two makes but I want a good running Lionel engine under $100.00
Under $75.00 would be even better. I am using tubular track 027. But I don't know what model to buy when I am surfing Ebay. I have a couple of Lionel cars that I want to pull. Any suggestions?? Maybe some day I will by one of the new one but they sure seem expensive!

[Anonymous]

I have seen some pretty decent deals under the "buy-now". I'm not all that familiar with models, etc.
[:)]

[ben10ben]

2026

It's good running, reliable, looks good, and has smoke, a whistle, and a three position e-unit. One in decent condition should be right at or less than $100.

[krapug1]

another decent later cheap PW steamer is the 2029, made right up to the end in'69.
It is basiclly a 2037 without magnetraction, but they have smoke, whistle, traction tires, and either a 2 or 3 position reverse. Since the best marx engines only had a 2 position reverse another good cheap Lionel steamer choice would be some of the early MPC 4-4-2 Die cast Engines.
Numbers 8142, 8304 and 8305 can usually be found in good shape for well under $100, and all these engines are good pullers, have smoke and most have the 70's creation "Mighty Sound of Steam". These engines are largely ijnored by Lionel Collectors/Operators has they all have a 2 postion reverse.
I picked up a 8142 on E-Bay for $80.00 (including s & H), it runs great and smokes better than any other Lionel steamer that I have.

Good Luck!

[lionelsoni]

How about a 2243? I find these early vertical-motor F3s to be exceptionally smooth runners. The set of 2243P single-motor A unit and 2243C dummy B unit usually goes for more that you're willing to pay; but the A unit alone can be had pretty cheap, since the real demand is for the B unit, which matches the much later 2383 A-A set. There are several at $70 or less right now on Ebay.

[3railguy]

1666 or 2037 steamers. Late NW switchers with sheet metal frame (make sure it runs and lubricate it properly).

[lionelsoni]

There are two 2026s. The later one (2-6-4) has outsized middle drivers that cause it to pitch fore and aft, apparently meant to make the magnetraction work better by keeping those wheels always on the track. However, it actually lacks magetraction because magnets were scarce during the Korean war. Its pilot truck is pivoted too close to the front of the locomotive, making it prone to derail on switches and crossings. And, if it matters to you, its wheel arrangement has no American prototype whatsoever.

I actually like the 2026; but it's only because I got the one I have when I was a kid. Even so, I replaced the motor with one from a 2037 when it wore out; and I redesigned the pilot-truck pivot scheme.

[garyseven]

ATSF 623 NW-2 Switcher - Postwar Veteran. Made by Lionel between 1952 - 1954

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the ideas. This will help me alot!!

[Anonymous]

The 2025 runs very fast, smokes, and is durable (I ran it off the train table and it survived).

[pbjwilson]

I've got a 1666, very nice runner - I would recommend that or the 2025. Either one should be within your budget. I like the 1666 because it really runs nice and coasts when you cut off the power. Mine can run at a fairly slow speed. No smoke though.

[Frank53]

I also have a 2026 that runs like a racehorse and will pull a nice sized fleet.

[laz 57]

2026 or 2037 I have both and will run forever.
laz57

[Anonymous]

My personal favorite is the 520 electric. I picked one up at a show for $45 last year in excellent condition and for less than $30 adden windshield "glass", an upgraded pantograph (a metal one like used on GG1's), and lights. The model is quite unique compared to diesels and steam locomotives of similar price range. Due to it's small size, on a small 4'x8' layout with O27 track, the tight radius does not look so tight. Also as an added bonus if your motive power roster includes a RMT Beep, the two locomotives are amost in the same proportion visually.