I have a Lionel steam 2-6-4 engine #2035 and would like to get another engine to compliment it (same era and type but different enough so that they don’t look like twins) Any suggestions, as always, greatly appreciated.
I’d suggest one of the 4-6-4 baby Hudsons. Either a 646/2046/2056, 685/2055, 665/2065. The four digit “O27” models sell for a little less than the 3 digit “O” guage versions. They are great looking locos and are not exhorbitantly priced like the 726/736 berks. You can find incredible examples for all of those for well under $200.00.
726 Berkshire would be a nice one, but I am biased.
a 675 or 224 would also be a nice compliment, or a 2065.
aye yi yi Jim, they’re not that expensive. I don’t think my Dad paid more than $30.00 for this one:
you just gotta be willing to hang on to it for 60 years. [:D]
aye yi yi, Frank . . . wanna double Dad’s money? [;)]
Last summah I was on vacation in New Hampshire, and a little shop I popped into had not one, but two 736 Berks for sale. One was $225, the other $250. Both were well worn, especially their tenders, but Berks none the less.
This one has some play wear on it Jim. While I appreciate the offer, I wouldn’t want to take advantage of a friend like that. I know it hit the basement floor a few times.
Thanks for being honest with me about the play wear. I’ll keep my $60!
JAABAT/FRANK53: Thanks much.
I know you guys like the old Lionel, but did you know that you can buy a NEW Williams Berk for $200.00.
Thanks for the heads up John, but I am fearful I would get struck by lightning or some other divine intervention.
Like jefelectric mentioned you can buy a new Williams Berk or Pennsy S-2 steamer for close to $200.00. I bought the Pennsy S-2 and would buy another if I could afford any more train stuff lately or will trade my DCS (the hand held says DCS 3.10)system for a Williams Berk.
I like the old post war stuff, but a new Williams is almost as good. Williams uses metal gears on the motors and trucks so the gears don’t wear out that quick, also no electronics inside to jack up the price![:)][:)]
Lee Fritz
hey maybe even the polar express or if you model in my era a CN Dash-9. i think both would not be a bad idea. thats my opinion
I would agree with Frank 53 on this one.
Hello Traindaddy! Call Jim at the Trading Post in Cleveland,Ohio at: 1-216-661-7300. He has plenty of Postwar Lionel looking for a good home & a layout to romp around on.[:)][:o)] Jim also accepts Layaway & his prices are reasonable too! Hope this helps. Take care.
I’m on the lookout for a 221 - know if he has one collecting dust over there?
Since you already have a steam engine, you might want to consider a diesel engine.
The early series AA Alcos and NW-2 switchers are both really nice runners that aren’t that expensive. I have a set of 2032 Erie Alcos that run great and look really nice, too.
Be sure to get the early ones, though, that have a cast frame rather than the later ones with a sheet metal frame.
$200 for a new Williams Berk is a greap price. They usually sell for $250 - $300. I have several Williams locomotives and enjoy them all. There are some very real benefits to purchasing a Williams over a post war Lionel. Mainly the warranty and the out-of-the-box like new condition. But there is something about owning a vintage Lionel, and watching one pull a train around my layout always makes me smile.
Jim
Keith/Ben/Eric/Jim AND All: Great info. Again, thanks for your replies.
Frank- Every now & then Jim will have a 221 for sale in his display case & his inventory always changes as he will bring out some oldies but goodies out of his back room. I have seen 221s plenty of times there. Give Jim a call & see if he has some in stock. I haven’t been there in a while so I could not say for sure although I would guess he has some around. Take Care.
Hmmmm…I am of the opposite opinion. I’ve been hunting an MTH NYC Berkshire for two days and finally located one. It cost $1,000 samolies. I will probably order it today, since they are almost unobtainable. I also bought the MTH S2 as well as have the Lionel 671 re-release (Century Series) S2 on order. You DON’T want to know what the Lionel one cost. [:D]
I don’t consider the price “jacked up” for having Protosound or Lionel’s sound system. I think the extra options in the more expensive trains are worth the extra $$$$. Heck…it all depends on what you can afford and how realistic you want to get [;)]
Dep