Does anyone know how to identify these? I have a set of 2383s and not sure what year they are from (could be late 50’s to late 60’s).
I also have the original boxes which are Star Box Co. and the original plain brown wrapping paper. No “Lionel” on the paper just plain brown.
Any idea??
The Greenberg Guide says that the Lionel 2383 is a set of Santa Fe F-3 AB units from 1958 thru 1966.(the B unit has no cab) The 2004 guide says the worth is $220/Good and $700/Excellent.
This is from Joe Algozzini’s book “Lionel’s Postwar F3’s”, published by Kalmbach:
1958 First year.
1961 Slightly orange red paint begins to appear.
1962 Motor field windings become red.
1965 Motor field windings become green.
1966 Last year.
Algozzini also describes changes in the nose decal, starting in 1964 and involving differences in the shape of the “S” in “Santa Fe” and whether the oval on nose is complete or has breaks at 3 and 9 o’clock. Unfortunately his descriptions contradict each other. Perhaps someone else has good information about this.
The 2383’s were A/A’s with black trucks instead of silver and a lot of the add on parts were left off.
Thanks for the information. This is what I was looking for.
I do not think the windings are green.