Hey guys I need the help of an expert. I have an opportunity to purchase what I believe is the above. The seller tells me that there are 2 screws holding the collecting assembly, silver numbers, a die-cast trailing truck and he has the 2671W tender but he tells me that the headlamp frame is silver not black.
Any ideas? Is this a repro front?
It’s legit. The real deal. I have one from 1950 with a 2671 tender. All the things you just mentioned are present. See below.
Jaabat,
I saw your response on the other forum and thank you for it. I posted in 2 places to try to get as much information as quickly as possible. I’m still not sure which one it is but I’ll make a decision based on my wallet and desire to have one.
Tell me honestly, what do you think of the 736 in general?
Mike
I’m pleasantly surprised. I wanted a 726 with the nice tender. But they were too expensive. This 736 came along at a great price and I snapped it up. A quick cleaning and lube was all it took to bring it back to life and I love it. Easy to work on. Great puller, classic lines, and hefty. I have a few 2056 Hudsons that are basically the same shell but are much lighter. Buy the 736 and you won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t.
Don’t worry too much about what year it was made. From the sounds of it, it’s a 1950. I prefer these earlier ones to the ones with the plastic rear truck and far more than the ones with a one screw pickup assembly of the late 1950’s/1960’s.
Jim
Jim,
Is this the one you posted about a little while ago or do you have more than one 736? Because if it is, it turned out really nice.
I have a few post-war steamers, my original 2036 and a 1101 Scout from childhood. Over the last few months I’ve purchased a 681 with it’s 2671 tender, a 2046 with it’s 2046 tender and a 2026 with a mis-matched tender (a 6026 I think). I think I’ve made good deals for the 681 and 2046, while in the case of the 2026 I think I over-paid. It was the first purchase and in my zeal to have a smoker I over looked the no magnatraction. I’m real new to the hobby so I expect to make mistakes.
My dream wish is a 773 but then again I suspect I’m not alone. They are just way too expensive. The 736 looks great and I hear nothing but good things about them. There is a second early year version availible but with the 2046 tender. So chances are good that I’ll will be able to get one (thanks to plastic). Thanks for your input I’ll let you all know how it turns out.
Mike
I only have one 736. It’s a beauty. Although I’d love to have a 773, it would be too large for my small layout. As for your 2026’s price, forget about it. Average all your purchases together and you are doing fine.
Jim
Good quality engine. Just make sure that it is the 2671WX tender and not the 2671W which goes with the 671 or 681 S2 Turbine. As stated above everything dates to exactly 1950, but make sure of that tender.
I have seen both in passing and own the 2671WX tender. What is the difference if any other than the markings on the shell. I know a 2671 had a light in it in '48 but mine does not.
The markings are the only diffference. The 2671W is lettered Pennsylvania, while the 2671WX is Lionel Lines.
Well, I lost out on the 1950 version but have a chance at another from 1953. The seller calls it a Lionel 736 Type II Berkshire and is definite about the year. What makes it a Type II?
White heat stamp lettering instead of silver rubber stamped. 2046 tender instead of the 2671. Not sure when the flag staffs changed from hex to round though.
Too bad about the 1950 version being sold. That was the one to buy! This one’s nice too.
Jim
Jim,
Yeah, I know. It went something like this. The seller posted only the engine not the tender. While asking questions he mentioned that he also had the 2671WX tender and was willing to sell them together for the right price. He mentioned the range he wanted for the tender. So after a little back and forth I threw a number at him for both, with no response. Meanwhile, the bidding continued on the engine and were rising quickly when I made another offer. He must have seen that the engine alone was going to bring in a pretty penny so I never heard from him again. The winning price for the engine was over 200. And, he still gets to post the tender.
So now I’ll concentrate on the 1953 version. I’m waiting for better photos but from the ones I have now I can swear that the headlamp frame is silver (maybe I’m hoping this is another 1950). I’ll have to ask about the numerals, don’t know why I haven’t yet but I’m pretty sure the tender is a 2046W.
Stay tuned. I appreciate the input. Now I’m obsessed with having one.
Mike
Most of the headlight frames on the 736s were indeed silver. I’d stay away from this seller. He doesn’t seem to be acting in good faith. There are plenty of 736s out there.
Jim
Look closely at the image below. See what appears to be black on some parts of the headlight holder? I don’t know if this was a black holder stripped off, a silver holder painted, or whatever. I doesn’t bother me one way or the other.
Jim,
The 1953 version is from another seller who has been very responsive and has a 100% money back policy for any reason what so ever. I’ll see how it plays out and go from there.
It wouldn’t bother me either, I do not collect just run. So long as it is not a junker that I cannot fix.
I appreciate you input.
Mike
Mike,
I did some research last night when I got home. Let’s see how much I remember…The 736 type I was made in 1950-1951 and came with a 2671WX (Lionel Lines) tender. As you know, the 726 RR was made in 1952 only and came with a 2046 tender. In 1953, the 736 returned with some changes (type II). The changes were a 2046W tender, white heat stamped numbers, round-based flag stands on the pilot. Type III change was to a stamped steel and plastic trailing truck. Type IV was to a pick up assembly with one screw, and type V was the 773 tender with AAR trucks and Pennsylvania lettering.
Jim
Jim,
You remembered quite a bit. That explains everything. Thanks.
I’ll see where this goes. Besides the “e” auction site is there another reputable one out there? Might increase the pool a bit. I’m in no hurry.
Mike
Mike- I thought you knew that Jim’s nickname is “Dr. Greenburg Jr” [;)][;)][:P][:o)] Nyuck,Nyuck,Nyuck. Anyway, There is New England Toy Train Exchange, Ted Maurer, & Stout Auction Houses where you should be able to bid on a #736. Heck, if you offer Jim enough $$$$$ he may sell you his #736 out of the Trunk of his Car.[;)][8D][:D][:o)] Take Care.
736s show up on Choochooauctions.com with regularity. But eBay has plenty of them.
Jim
Guys, thanks for the other places to look.
Jim, can’t check that one out from the office, heavy duty filters here, but will at home. It may be one of the ones I checked out.
Since you guys are a wealth of information and experience, what is a good price for a type I or II 736 with the matching tender in decent condition? I don’t care about boxes.
Mike