About 2 years ago I purchased 2 prewar sets from an individual who claimed they were his and all original. One set, 140W, came with a set box and individual boxes for the components, except the boxes for the 224 and 2224W were missing. The other “set” consisted of a 1666E gunmetal, 2689T gunmetal, 2677, 2679, 2680, and 2682. There were no individual boxes nor a set box. Based upon the couplers, box couplers with the cone magnet on all cars except the 2677, I believe these were from 1938. The trucks on all cars except the 2677 had nickel journals. The 2677 had the 1941 box coupler (no pin on top) and black jouirnals. Looking through the 1938 catalog, I believe I identified the set as 1089E with the 2677 purchased later.
Looking through the items in the Harris Auction, there is a 1089E set with the original set box and the following components: 1666 black w.2689W black, 2677, 2679, 2680, and 2682. The set box has a 1089E label but also has a “secret” 26028X marked on the box. All of these components are identical to those I received but of later manufacture, based on trucks (guessing 1940). But the 2680 was not included in the 1940 set and the set in 1940 was numbered 1089W, not 1089E. Lionel also cataloged the 1089 and 1089W in 1941 but not in 1942.
Seeing that my set and the Harris set have the same components, but of different years, and that Lionel never cataloged these components in a single set, I am wondering what we have here? Were these sets put together during the war? A “let’s clean out our inventory and make up some sets”? Sure the cars were mix and match but at least the components were consistent.
Does anyone have a 1089 set with identical components?
Or any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
