I don’t own any prewar engines except for maybe a 1666, but I’m not shure about that one. This is just based on my opinion of looks mainly and I know some of you folks on here would know alot more about them and make a better list based on better reasons. This is a response thread to the postwar thread. I guess it could be O-guage or standard guage if you choose.[swg]
700E Hudson
763E Hudson
226E Hudson
224E Prairie
1666E Prairie
Should also be a great thread. The 700E is number one for me. I have seen one in person and even though it was is bad shape, the detail was amazing. I can see why JLC said this was his favorite lionel item ever.
When it comes to standard gauge, nothing beats passenger sets. Number two on my list is the engine for the American Flyer Presidents special. That gold eagle on the front really makes it unique from any other. Best looking standard gauge set ever made by any company IMHO.
Following that is the Lionel state set. I was able to hold a 413 colorado in brown one time and the weight and detail of this train is amazing. I like all versions of the engines used to lead this train but my personal favorite is the 381E. For what ever reason I like the streamlined look over the more square 408E.
The 736E is still a great engine and much more economical than the 700E. Still way out of my budget but heck, you can always dream…
Finally, the 0-6-0 switcher. Im blanking out on the number but it had front and rear couplers and a pennsylvania style headlight. Its a shame lionel never reproduced one in the postwar era because Id already own one. Remember watching a video of stu shuster running this one and a 736 with “magic electro” on one loop. If I remember correctly, it uses AC to control the conventional engine (763E) and DC for the other.
As you can tell, theres no long shots here. Im not expert on prewar, just a fan.
Im gonna play the other side of the field here and argue the case of the little guys. The 700E is without doubt an amazing piece that ushered in a new era of toy trains. But we must not forget it’s predecessors.
259E- This little guy held out on the bottom of the line from 1932(without auto reverse) until the early forties. It was also even modified into the 258 for the O-27 line. It introduced thousands to model railroding and combined the looks and details of the top line 400E with an inexpensive, rugged engine.
752E- The M-10000 was Lionel’s first scale model, appearing in 1934, 3 years before the hudsons. Sales were excellent for this model, and it helped bail Lionel out of the depression. It found a place in the publics heart as a model, toy, and thing of beauty.
1688E/1689E- These rugged little workhorses were IMHO better models than their O gauge counterparts, they ran well (if not at a brisk pace!), had fantastic looks, and were arguably more realistic than many similar priced models offered by Lionels competitors.
224E/1666E- These two very similar engines contained Lionel’s “sewing machine motor,” perhaps the smoothest running open frame O gauge motor ever conceived. For those who have never owned a well kept one, they are so smooth they almost act as if they contain a flywheel. Beat that AF!
227/228- Lest we not forget these amazing locos. Preferably the models equipped with “Magic Electrol,” and “Teledyne” couplers. How much fun did these new gadgets offer the operator in their time. 1940’s Legacy!
Yey!!! A 1666 made this list. Mine does run like a sewing machine, really smooth and quiet, and has good pulling power for a small locmotive. Is there any shure way to tell when a 1666 was made? Mine has a seperate metal number plate on it but it doesn’t have the letter E at the end, so my best gu
Hello All!
John W- The number for the Prewar B-6 is 8976 & the catalog number is 701. Lionel made a re-issue of the B-6 in 1989 with Railsounds(No Command Control) it is all mechanical too. I think that Joe Gryzobski’s in Scranton has them for around $450.00 mint in the box! They were selling for over $700.00 in 1989 at most places so you are saving quite a bit here.
My favorite prewar engines are the following:
1688- Excellent looks & detail. Runs like a clock & has a smooth motor. One of the best Lionel ever made. Ask the man who owns one!(actually five)[;)][;)]
1689E- Again, another engine with excellent looks & detail. Running charateristics are the same as the 1688
1666- Very detailed 0-27 Engine. Hard to beat.
249E- When I was a kid. My friend across the street had one of these with the 600 series Passenger Cars in red/w cream windows. Very smooth runner & sharp looking.
1668E- Another winner here that shares the same casting as a 1688 & it has the exact motor a 1666 does.
Bryan- Your 1666 is a prewar engine if it has the metal number plates on it. The postwar 1666s had rubber stamped numbers & black handrails. This is how you can tell the difference between the pre/postwar versions. The other difference is that on the prewar version the end of the cab floor is flat & on the postwar version it is rounded. This was done to close the gap between the engine & tender for a better look. Take Care all.
For me, the list would look something like the following:
700K, can you imagine the lucky owner of this kit locomotive? Im still looking for an original unbuilt kit.
263E Baby Blue Comet, very colorful and fun to run.
752 UP M-10000. Like a long snake slithering around the layout.
226E One of the best running Lionel steamers I have ever owned.
250E Hiawatha.
1: IVES 1134 - SG die-cast Steam
2: IVES 3243 - SG tinplate Electric
4: Lionel 400E- SG tinplate Steam
5: Lionel 408E - SG tinplate Electric
I’ll limit it to ones I have…
226E–2226W
225E–2245W
262E–262T
636W
203-2203B
and an extra 154, without these early ones we wouldn’t have the new ones!!
To date a 1666 look at the sand dome. If it has two ridges then it was made before mid year 1941. This would make it 1939-40 or early 41. Late in 41 Lionel modified the tooling to delete these ridges. Knowone knows for sure why, but probably because they took extra time to clean up on the raw casting. Postwar 1666s used the number plate until 1947. Only in 47 were they rubber stamped. All 46 versions had the round cab floor keith mentioned. 45 versions were mad eup of leftover prewar inventory and had black handrails. They had an X stamped inside the cab and are quite scarce. Hope this helps. If you post a pic, ill date it for you.
I think mine has the ridges on the sand dome. Mine has the hatches on the sand dome too. I’m not really shure right now, because my engines are at my dad’s house and I am not over there this week.
These are the “hatches” found on the early locos.
I vote for my 248. A lovely little engine.
Yep, mine has the hatches.
Yep!!! I examined mine today, and it does have the ridges on top of the sand box and the cab floor is not rounded off so mine is PREWAR!!!
Finally, an Electric (yeah, I know they are really all electric). Wish everyone would indicate what type of engines their candidates are ( eg- steam, streamline steam, approx vintage, etc.) as it’s a real pain having to look up every number in Doyle (some of which aren’t even listed), for those of us who don’t have the prewar catalogue memorized but who nevertheless are interested in following the discussion.
Having said that, I can only vote for my only prewar engine - a No4 ‘Build-A-Loco’ (Electric 0-4-0).
My list has all steam locomotives on it.
I have a 224E & a 249E that still run very good, don’t run them that much. The 224E just needs some maintanance every now & then and it will run great.
Lee F.
Well for now I’m going to limit my answers to ones that I own, but maybe this evening I’ll list my top five overall. I only run O-gauge Lionel, but there are certainly standard gauge and other manufacturers that make listing five tough. OK, here are the top five from my roster:
Nice trains!!! Love the 259E and the streamlined 238E. Your a lucky son of a gun.