Can you help me date these old items??

Hello,

2679 is 1938-42

258, the 2-4-2 version is 1941

2657 is 1940-41

1682 is 1933-42

2680 is 1938-42

Source: Greenberg's 2007 edition

The engine is circa 1940 and the 2657 caboose, baby ruth box car and tank car were produced 38-42.  

According to the 2013 Greenberg's priceguide the 258 was made twice; 1) 1930 to 35, 2) 1941. The version from 1930 to 35 had two differant tenders; 1) a 4 wheel # 257, 2) an 8 wheel # 258.

Info from page 30 of 2013 Greenberg's pocket price guide.

Lee Fritz

I didn't realize Lionel also had "fat wheel" locos. I guess some of the prewar switches could handle those?

Box couplers are the quick easy ID for late 1930's.

My guide (2011, TM Books & Video) shows the 258 made in 1930 was a 2-4-0, so Walt's should be a 1940 version.  However, I have noticed that the price guides don't always agree on identification information, let alone value.  

Greenberg's guide has the 258 2-4-2 as a 1941 make.

Interesting too that these so called price guides don't agree with each other or list many of the most popular variations either.

Example is the Greenberg's guide, it don't list the tender that came with my dad's 249E, but lists other tenders. The tender in question is a 2225T, without whistle. Greenberg's has it listed with another engine within a year or two of the 249E being produced. My dad never bought extra pieces for the pre-war stuff he had, so I know for a fact that this is an original by Lionel.

Lee Fritz

Walt,

Is he interested in any approximate values?

KC

I can't believe that you are into trains, and don't have a pre-war & post-war guide. You can buy them for pennies. What you have there is near bottom of the line stuff.

Thanks all for the replies.

He asked for me to ask one more question, if you don't mind:  What is the difference, or what does each mean: "Lionel JR" vs. "Lionel O27"???  Thanks

I have him the link to this thread and he is reading along.

Ken: I don't know, he didn't ask me to see if I could determine worth.  Since they were his father's he MAY be interested in just having them, sentimentally.

eddie g: I'm not into trains as much as you might think!

thanks - walt

Walt and friend:  My understanding, though I can't put my hands on the source, is that "Lionel Junior" was what Lionel first named the line of equipment they made that was based on the Ives lines that they had bought out.  Subsequently, it was renamed 027.  So they are the same thing, just that 027 is a bit newer.

eddie g - I'm glad you chimed in.  I thought I had kept my pre-war/post-war guide, but I guess I gave it away since I'm only interested in modern equipment.  Since I won't be able to give Walt any values, could you please give him the info if he needs it?  Thanks.

Information regarding the Lionel Junior can be found here:

"All Aboard!" by Ron Hollander, pages 79, 132, 145 (not 146 as stated in index)

"America's Standard Gauge Electric Trains" by Peter H. Riddle, pages 57-58 (copyright 1998, out of print)

Dick

My B.I.L. asked for me to say 'Thanks' to all that helped out, so, THANKS!

- walt