I am thinking about bidding on a train set from a local auction house. I don’t know if the train runs but would like to try my hand at refurbishing a post war train. The starting bid is $100.00.
Thanks for any input in advance Mark
Hello Crip! I would bid no more than $130.00 & even that is generous for this set. Most likely it would need a good cleaning & some oil & grease to get it running. Plus, The Engine needs a new Main & Side Rod on the left hand side judging by the photo & it most likely needs more parts also to complete it. This particular Train is from the 1951-52 era as that is when the White Baby Ruth Boxcars were made & the 2026s were made without Handrails on them. We have a Train exactly like this at our museum in Mentor,Ohio. In Short, it would be worth it for you to acquire this set if you can at a fair price so that you can learn how to refurbish it. Take Care.
Thanks for the advice Keith.
I didn’t even see the missing rods in the picture!
Mark
That looks like the transformer my dad had, which was a 1034. It’s 75 watts. It’s a good transformer but I don’t think it has a whistle controller built in, so it’s not as popular as the 1033. If it works, great, but if it doesn’t work it may cost more to repair than it’s worth.
I agree I wouldn’t go real high on this. My local shop sells completely refurbished 2026s for $100-$120 depending on condition, but that’s a complete loco with rebuilt motor and e-unit. I’ve seen questionable 2026s (like this one) go for $40 or even a little less.
Some antique dealer may come in and bid $200, figuring it must be worth at least $1,000 because it’s Lionel. I’ve seen that happen. Stand your ground and don’t worry about that. There’ll be another one. I could probably be coaxed to pay $150 for it if it looked like the transformer was in good shape. If the transformer has rust and a broken cord, I wouldn’t go much higher than the $100 starting bid. The cars are worth about an average of $10 apiece. The track would end up in a box under my layout so it isn’t worth much to me. If you have use for the track, then there’d be reason to go a little higher.
the 1034 does have whistle and direction controls…i have one…its 75 watts made for like 1 or 2 years then the more common 1033 came along…the 1033 is 90 watts i believe
The track is not worth much as it is one of the most common track types made by Lionel, if you are the winning bidder it will run on most track made today except for 027 curves. The locomotive will need some work as others have mentioned.
Lee F.
Philly, it will most certainly run on O27 curves. It’s an O27 locomotive!
Boy, you need to get out of that hot Florida sun. Your brain is baked! You’re cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! [:)]
Jim
HEY JAABAT,
Greenberg’s guide don’t list it as 027 or O gauge, so go freeze yourself in New England again!
Lee
10-4 good buddy! [;)]
Jaabat,
Just so that you know I am using Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide for Lionel Trains 1901 to 2006.
Lee F.
The 2026 is an O27 locomotive. I have one. It says O27 on the bottom, and it ran fine on my O27 curves before I upgraded to a mixture of O34 and O42.
Lee, post war Lionel O gauge locos had 3 digit cab numbers. O27 locos had 4 digit cab numbers.
Now why don’t you go read the coffee pot and give me your diagnosis as to why my 2018 doesn’t work.
Jim
The 2026 is an 027 engine always was. the body was used with several different numbers over many years, always 027.From what I saw in the pictures, the entire thing is not worth $100.00. But it depends what its worth to the buyer.