I have a chance to buy a very nice 700EW with one serious problem, the lettering under the window on one side is seriously smudged. What is an engine like that worth?
Al
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Al,
To be honest, if the smudged paint bothers you. You can buy brand new rubber stamps to redo it. As for the, "What's It Worth?" question. Only a dummy would bite on that worm. To expect a forum member to answer......Well?
If you want the satisfaction and the type written bragging rights. Find yourself a professional appraiser in your area.
Let a TRUSTED and experienced buyer/collector assist you - condition of castings is paramount!
The engine and tender are in great shape the castings are solid. The paint is great. The only flaw is the numbers
I guess the question is, "Is this an original smug, or a repainted smug?" 
Seriously, it's a toy train. If I liked it, I would haggle for the best deal I could get. 
Pics, if you get it!
Originally Posted by Al Galli:
The engine and tender are in great shape the castings are solid. The paint is great. The only flaw is the numbers
Al,
It's worth how badly you want one and how much you're willing to pay for it. Having said that, be critical, what flaws are there once you get the stars out of your eyes?
Dennis
Please allow me to vent some frustration
. Other than date of manufacture. The 700E and all variations of it are not and never will be, "Tinplate". Since when are diecast and tin the same?
Originally Posted by Happy Pappy:
Please allow me to vent some frustration. Other than date of manufacture. The 700E and all variations of it are not and never will be, "Tinplate". Since when are diecast and tin the same?
Your point is well taken. I think the term "tinplate" is now used to denote a period, rather than an actual material? I see it used commonly to describe more "toy-like" vintage trains. In the end, there're all just toy trains.
What does "Tinplate Trains" mean?
See this OGR thread
Al, all depends on condition and what comes with it. Based om your comments it would seem to be in excellent condition. If the smudged numbers on one side were from the factory then I would not try to "fix it". Does it have the original boxes? Does it have the optional third rail pick ups? Does it have the walnut base with the correct nameplate and ever so hard to find single piece of T rail track. All these things would influence overall price.
Based on the engine and tender alone without the additional items I have described and based on what they are going for at York and on the Bay I would think in the $5,000 to $6,000 range. Could you post pictures so as to see actual condition?
Hopes this helps, however it is hard to tell based on little actual information.
If the base is with it with the correct track and nameplate that could add another $1,000 to $1,200.
Craig
Picture attached. There are no boxes or board. he last EW I saw at aution in E+ went for $4700 with boxes. Several 700E have gone for $3200-$3900 without boxes. It never occured to me the smudges could have come from the factory, but this is so bad I doubt it. The copper color on the wheels is from the flash.
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Images (3)
Al,
That engine appears to be a 700EWX with blind center drivers, not a 700EW. If it is, and if it is all original; is complete with no evidence of decay; has not been tampered with and its only flaw is a smudge in the cab lettering, it's worth between $3,000 and $3,500.
Dennis
Thank you Dennis!
Al Galli,
Yes, you do have what appears to be a 700EWX. That's what all my books say. Mr. Dennis Waldron knows your type of engine piece by piece. He's rescued me many times with parts. Goodness knows I replaced many of those beautiful drivers. Al, from my standpoint just knowing how hard to find those wheels are, Please, Please don't run it.
My rant earlier was just that. The "true" tinplate train era ended early on. I'm just a die hard for tinplate. If my comment offended you, I apologize.
I am by no means an expert, but followed tinguy restoring his 700E.
What I see when I look at the center drivers of this are two different wheels. A blind driver on the left (top of pic) and a flanged driver on the right with the flange machined off.(bottom of pic)
Take it full size and zoom it. What say ye?
Mooman,
It's just bad lighting (very bad). The center wheels are blind. The lower blind wheel just proves that Lionel never wasted anything. The other driver does have a flange. Again in the bad light it's hard to see.
Moonman
The picture is full sized. The forum process reduces it. Both drivers are blind.
Pappy No offense taken. We are talking about trains. It is all good.
Al
