Engine and tender suggestions for a Lionel litho prewar freight consist?

Carey, I don't see any pictures. Which cars?

Steve

Early prewar era: these are the oldies but goodies, here are pics of the most of them, and  a Sunoco tank car not pictured

1930s: plus I have restored set of Blue Comet 613, 614, 615

Lionel 258 outfitted with a Marx/AF wedge tender, or a Marx 495

For those sized cars, I really like my 259e. I believe the 1600 passenger cars you have pictured and the 259e were originally made by Ives before Lionel bought them. I think the engine looks to be the right size for those 600 series freights (and it looks like the 803 (?)  hopper is similar in size too):

If you are wanting a postwar engine (your post said you don't want a prewar engine), they made 224s and 1666s after the war. A 2016, 2018, 2026, 2036, or 2037 (which all use the same boiler) would probably look pretty good pulling a string of 600 freights with a 1689 or a 2224w tender. A 2034 has a very similar boiler to that last group, but only has  4 drivers, which may make it look more prewar.

Hope this helps,

J White

Carey,

     I use the original Lionel Gun Metal Gray 249E Engine and Tender to pull my 1600 & 2600 work train rolling stock.  In fact I like the 249 so much I had Guns upgrade it with ERR.  UPS broke the frame on her during some pretty rough delivery handling , Guns is now having to rebuild her from the frame up.  If you can get your hand on a 249E this particular Engine and Tender looks great with all the different kinds of rolling stock, the 249 is a mid sized Tin Plate Engine, bigger than the 259E but smaller than the 263E.  When I get the 249 ERR back from Guns I will take a picture of all 3 different size Engines & Tenders sitting together, so you can compare there actual sizes.

PCRR/Dave

The Gray 249ERR is coming toward you in the picture on the siding, the Black 259E is moving away from you on the mid Track.  Either of these 2 Engines are the correct size for your 1600 & 2600 rolling stock, the 800 series Cars were pulled by the larger 263E size engines.