Would anyone like to submit photos of their favorite prewar metal-trimmed engine and state why it is their favorite? I'd like to buy another one or two, and I'd like some guidance! Here's my favorite, a Lionel 259E. It's my favorite because it is very smooth and comparatively quiet. I love the copper, nickel and brass trim. It is the best runner of my prewar Lionel by far.
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My 262 of course!
I might add as well, I have a 259e and I don't believe it has copper trim, the original 259 was black with copper trim and the 259e's had the domes & handrails plated with nickel or something of the sort, your plating has probably rubbed off over the years. They are great runners and I enjoy blowing the whistle tender on mine (it's the only locomotive I have that has one).
I also have a 259E thanks to my mom. That will always be special. With a production run from '33 to '40 and the varieties of trim, tender and color combos there's every chance a gunmetal and copper version could very well be original.
This is my 390E...my one and only SG steamer. I put a lot of work into its restoration even though I took liberties with the colors.
Bruce
Well, in my opinion, you can not go wrong with any of them. I'm embarresed to admit I have probably 25 tinplate engines apart in shoe boxes all awaiting their turn. I also like the 259 (e), here is an original black one with copper trim, still missing some trim peices. And below is a 249E I pained in LCT colors. I like the nickel trim with lots of colors and I like the brass/copper trim with gloss or satin black.
Bruce, I love how that 390E turned out! great choice in colors too.
Black and copper for me too, but I'll switch the brands up a bit. The MARX Commodore Vanderbilt's streamlining, and black paint with the copper trim name plate, make it one of my favorite PW-tins. This "repaint" has been in the family since new, but got buried it a dirt floor garage for years, literally. The handrail and dome plating was not copper on these either (tempting
), the nameplate was enough to make it stand out in my mind. A CV is also the base for this unfinished Crusader. I'm custom trimming it in mirror stainless
An Aeolus is around the corner. If Homer Simpson collected trains he might be saying... Mmmm,metal
Thanks Dennis.
Rather than do the 390E over in it's original basic black I chose the green combo to flash things up a bit.
BTW...did you get permission to paint your set in those colors? I predict another toy train court case if you didn't. 
Bruce
Nah, I think my 249E was done before MTH's 261E made it to market....
My chrome Marx CV & wedge tender and an Ives Olympian. Plenty of shiny here.
Steve
<snip> I might add as well, I have a 259e and I don't believe it has copper trim, the original 259 was black with copper trim and the 259e's had the domes & handrails plated with nickel or something of the sort, your plating has probably rubbed off over the years.
There were examples of the 259 that had copper trim on dark gunmetal paint from the Factory...Also nickel trim, and painted trim on light gunmetal boilers.
Gloss, satin black had copper/brass, or nickel, and there are some examples with black trim like the 258 of the time.
The loco was used for a lot of uncataloged sets... from 36-41. This accounts for some of the variations.
I think this meets the criteria... it's one of my favorite locomotives in the collection. All metal trimmed, O gauge, prewar 1931-33 Weeden No. 1 Live Steam. Gotta have all metal trim with the fire in its belly!
<snip> I might add as well, I have a 259e and I don't believe it has copper trim, the original 259 was black with copper trim and the 259e's had the domes & handrails plated with nickel or something of the sort, your plating has probably rubbed off over the years.
There were examples of the 259 that had copper trim on dark gunmetal paint from the Factory...Also nickel trim, and painted trim on light gunmetal boilers.
Gloss, satin black had copper/brass, or nickel, and there are some examples with black trim like the 258 of the time.
The loco was used for a lot of uncataloged sets... from 36-41. This accounts for some of the variations.
Interesting, I didn't know that.
Wow, great guys! Thank you all so much for the responses and photos.
Brian-I've been eyeballing 262s. I love the black with all that trim.
Bruce-Your repaint looks lovely!
Dennis-I hope you can find your 259E parts. The train with your repaint is beautiful.
Adriatic-Oh yes, I have two Commies and love 'em. Here's my custom one.
Steve-What can I say that hasn't been mentioned about your fantastic collection??
Rob-Thank you for validating my copper domes.
James-I see fire! I sure didn't expect to get a live steam response. I love it!
Thanks again. Keep them coming.
very nice guys, Steve that chrome CV is striking!
I'm back to liking the 262 these days. A nice size, and some interest with the piping and copper details. Though I do reserve my right to have a different favorite next month….
Tim
How could I forget the 898 and The Mercury.
Have fun.I also have a 259E thanks to my mom. That will always be special. With a production run from '33 to '40 and the varieties of trim, tender and color combos there's every chance a gunmetal and copper version could very well be original.
This is my 390E...my one and only SG steamer. I put a lot of work into its restoration even though I took liberties with the colors.
Bruce
Very nice (and shiny) old locos.
Well, here is what I just bought. A 262E, from Jim and Debby Flynn. The e-unit is very cranky, but I guess it has earned the right after some eighty years. I love that the feedwater heater is a catch to allow the boiler front to pivot down for easy bulb-changing! Contrast that with the last new Lionel engine I bought, which suggests that you may wish to take the engine to your dealer for bulb changing! 
great looking engine. I had one a while ago and had to let it go. Need another one!
Being partial to trains that look more like "toys".. than the bulky real thing, I have to include my pre-war Karl Bub Electric Steeple Cab. With it's DC motor, I've been told this could be pre-WWI. It's labeled "KB - Made in Bavaria", which could also explain why it could be pre-1914.
To me, the Marx CP is a classic tinplate locomotive. Great combination of tin, paint and bling! There is so much play value built into this simple but elegant design.
Here is one of my "rescue puppies" that I rebuilt.
To me, the Marx CP is a classic tinplate locomotive. Great combination of tin, paint and bling! There is so much play value built into this simple but elegant design.
Here is one of my "rescue puppies" that I rebuilt.
Beeee-youtifull!
American Flyer's 3315. It has a ringing bell too.
Well, here is what I just bought. A 262E, from Jim and Debby Flynn. The e-unit is very cranky, but I guess it has earned the right after some eighty years. I love that the feedwater heater is a catch to allow the boiler front to pivot down for easy bulb-changing! Contrast that with the last new Lionel engine I bought, which suggests that you may wish to take the engine to your dealer for bulb changing!
The E-Unit might just need a few drops of oil.
Keep the good-looking photos coming!
Jack - Great job on the CP! Here is a shot of one I did over. It was in an "end of collection" lot from Charles Siegel's Choo Choo Auctions site. The restoration was interesting and fun, but not too difficult.
Greg - I love it.
tabkld93 - That must be very gratifying and I'm sure the owner is thrilled.
This is a neat looking little reconditioned Marx CV clockwork engine with a Marx electric motor and smoke unit added that I purchased off of the bay a few months back. It runs like a top and smokes pretty well too. I love this little engine and its matching tender.
Have fun.I also have a 259E thanks to my mom. That will always be special. With a production run from '33 to '40 and the varieties of trim, tender and color combos there's every chance a gunmetal and copper version could very well be original.
This is my 390E...my one and only SG steamer. I put a lot of work into its restoration even though I took liberties with the colors.
Bruce
Hi ya Keith! Long time, no type. I thought I recognized Mr. Torpedo in here. Wondered why you weren't over at CTT.
Bruce
Well, here is what I just bought. A 262E, from Jim and Debby Flynn. The e-unit is very cranky, but I guess it has earned the right after some eighty years. I love that the feedwater heater is a catch to allow the boiler front to pivot down for easy bulb-changing! Contrast that with the last new Lionel engine I bought, which suggests that you may wish to take the engine to your dealer for bulb changing!
The E-Unit might just need a few drops of oil.
Where/what would be oiled on the e-unit?
I've always heard that oiling the e unit will cause more problems. better to spray some TV Tuner spray in the plunger.
This is a neat looking little reconditioned Marx CV clockwork engine with a Marx electric motor and smoke unit added that I purchased off of the bay a few months back. It runs like a top and smokes pretty well too. I love this little engine and its matching tender.
The stack is from a modern smoke conversion right? I've not seen another.
Well, here is what I just bought. A 262E, from Jim and Debby Flynn. The e-unit is very cranky, but I guess it has earned the right after some eighty years.
The E-Unit might just need a few drops of oil.
Where/what would be oiled on the e-unit?
I've always heard that oiling the e unit will cause more problems. better to spray some TV Tuner spray in the plunger.
Right but inspection would guide me.
Lube might help a turning cylinder type E at its drum axle. Fingers bumping dried grease clumps stop the turning too. Clean & lube um. Go light on oil/lube. If "nice" but dirty, spray cleaning with winding/plastic safe cleaner. Rust would get light, neat, oiling to break it down but it is really used as a cleaner and/or protectant. Removing the excess oil/crud with cloth or spray later would be a good idea. The solenoid plunger should never really be "wet lubed". (some spray dry lubes, can be used). The plunger pin & slot W/V types can suffer from oil surface tension drag too. (why I love dry lube) Clean with oil, remove excess. Inspect the pin slot and pin. I have had to file pin contact paths flat again, or remove rub peened edges, but pins have been fine. Inspection of the plunger shaft for wear can sometimes reveal a guide tube failure in the coil, before the plunger actually rubs off winding lacquer(more common with horizontal "linear motors"[solenoid type]). Takes a whole lot of cycles to wear out a guide tube! But with horizontal plunger &/or debris, it happens much quicker
Good luck!
I always liked the look of the early prewar American Flyer engines. This old lady still runs like a little sewing machine!
I'm not sure you can get much more metal trim than this.
Here is another prewar American Flyer, from 1938, the year A.C. Gilbert bought the company.
I fell in love with its massive size, all the metal trim, its "different" look from many other steamers, and that gorgeous 12-wheel diecast aluminum tender. Mine is missing the front running lights, but, hey, I myself was made in 1946 and am missing a part here and there too.
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