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Liberty Lines 600e SG Hudson

moderneraSGmoderneraSGOGR Forum Member

I'm looking for information concerning the standard gauge Liberty Lines 600e made by Harlan Creswell. These were built starting in 1979 and resemble the Lionel 400e, but with the proper 4-6-4 Hudson running gear. They were offered in 5 basic colors: Black, Light Gunmetal, Dark Gunmetal (Grey), 2-Tone Blue and Green. They were also available in kit form.

 

If you have one of these, or know someone who does, all I'm looking for is the number on the cab plate and what color it is. I'm looking to tie together some numbers and colors.

 

Thanks,

 

ARNO

LIB 600e 5367

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moderneraSGmoderneraSGOGR Forum Member

Well, you never know if you don't ask. Plus, I never said they had to OWN one, just had to know of ones whereabouts. That's the funny thing about research, you have a lot of hurdles to take and not all of them pay off.... but every once in a while they do, and when they do, it's worth every minute.

 

The 600E's are out there, we just need to locate them.

 

I still have hope.

 

ARNO

N navy.sealOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by john Karell:

I have a black one, like new, # is 5200.  Looking to sell it.  any interest.

 

John,

 

If you are looking for a good home for your 600e, please add me to your list of potential buyers and contact me!

 

Around 10 years ago right after I got into Standard Gauge, I saw a 600e come up for sale at an auction held in conjunction with the Eastern Division's York meet.  This particular 600e was in running condition but needed some TLC including repair parts (missing some piping), and repainting.  It was being sold at the same time a Liberty Lines Bipolar, in much better condition and in Milwaukee Road's tri-color livery, was up for sale.  

 

As a Milwaukee Road collector attending his first ever toy train auction, I hadn't a clue as to what the two Liberty Lines engines were worth at auction or anything else for that matter.  As a result, I did not bid on the 600e when it came up for bid before the BiPolar.  Instead, I held back from bidding so as to save my limited funds for bidding on the Bipolar, which I won.  Ever since that auction, however, I have always regreted not bidding on the 600e too, which if I had won I would have rebuilt and repainted as a Milwaukee Road 4-6-4 "Baltic".  To date, I haven't seen one come up for sale since that auction so I am still in the hunt.

 

Bob

 

PS.  I am definitely among those who call out for LCT to produce their own version of a 600e.   And if they ever build one in a Milwaukee Road "Baltic" livery, I will be first in line to buy it!

 

 

 

Last edited by navy.seal
N navy.sealOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by john Karell:
how much did the one go at the auction and how much are you willing to pay.
--------------------------------------------

John,

Unfortunately, my memory is not good enough to recall what price it sold for ten years ago but I believe it went for less than its original advertised selling price.  As to what I'd pay for your 600e, all I can say is: Condition, condition, condition.  Please send numerous photos of your 600e to my email address and I will let you know.  I can be reached at: navy.seal@cox.net

 

Bob

 

 

moderneraSGmoderneraSGOGR Forum Member

Here are a couple pictures of the 600e in blue. The first photo is an old promotional picture is one from the old days that Harlan Creswell used in correspondence. It has faded slightly thru the years, but all four stock colors available are pictured. Of course, custom colors were also available and a two-tone green was added to the line up.

LIB 608e assembly instructions 08aa

022709_133

Here is a more contemporary picture I took a few years back. It is a beautiful locomotive and no, it is not mine (please don't ask who owns it, I protect their privacy).

Enjoy.

ARNO

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G GirderandPanelOGR Forum Member

Back around 1992 at the TCA Eastern Division meet at York, I encountered a "State Set" green and copper-trim 600E in the Purple Hall. I had never seen one before, and it was amazing. You get the same awe-stuck feeling as seeing LaRue Shemp's Lionel Super 381 at the Lycoming County Museum in Williamsport PA, it is something to see both of these locomotives. Suffice to say, I was hypnotized by this engine and simply could not pass up buying it. I paid $800 for mine, number 5302. The seller claimed he didn't know much about it, nor the condition of the engine. Mine runs intermittently, it definitely needs some work. The whistle in the tender winds up and then sparks come out!!! I wrote to Creswell, asking for more information, and included a list of questions and a SASE to make a reply more of a certainty. He did reply, but with very little useful information. I only encountered one other 600E, a traditional black engine, owned by TCA member Larry Poland from California. Again, this is around 1995, and Larry was asking for $2200 for his. I have purchased several of Creswell's green State Set baggage cars at York over the years, each about $300, and nicely done frankly. They complement the Williams/MTH green State Set quite nicely, and I think Harlan did a better job than MTH's design.

By the way, you will be interested to know that MTH contacted me, in the Fall of 2006, asking if I would bring my 600E to York to be photographed. I agreed, and they did take it for an afternoon to be photographed. i have never received any further contact from MTH regarding their plans for that design. They gave no hint at all for any plans they had to "remake" it. 

Last edited by GirderandPanel
CW Carey WilliamsOGR Forum Member

Hello GirderandPanel  

 

Thank you for posting the Creswell article about the 600E.   Do you know what other items Creswell made ?

The 600E  4-6-4

0-6-0  switcher

State car copies  (no interior?)   also a baggage ..available in green  & blue  & ? 

Bipolar

freight cars ?  I've only seen a gondola   were there others ?

 

Below are some copies that are on file at the TCA library  covering Liberty Lines .... nothing about the cars or 0-6-0

Were there any flyers about the passenger , freight cars, and 0-6-0?

 

Are you interested in selling your 600E ?

Also looking for any other  Creswell pieces  baggage car and freights 0-6-0 & Bipolar  if any are out there available, .

Thank you Carey Williams

wasp3245@aol.com

 

 

IMG_9697IMG_9698IMG_9699IMG_9700

 

 

 

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