I purchased a Lionel 203 0-6-0 switcher w/ a 2203B tender. But it's not stamped 203. It's stamped "8976" instead. Anyone have any info as to why that is? ANY info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Maybe your tender is not original to the locomotive.
MELGAR
Could 8976 be an mpc number?
Put a picture of the engine & tender on here.
Sounds normal. My 227 prewar 0-6-0 has 8976 stamped on the cab, but 227 on the boiler front door. 228's are the same way.
Welcome to the forum.
8976 is the number on the 227 or 228 0-6-0 engines. Someone could have stamped it that way. I have a 203 and 228 setup. If you have a series of pictures of the engine and tender we can see if it is a mismatch or re-stamped.
When you pick on the ID of the person posting, it can take you to their profile and email. You can even email pictures to me if you can't get them posted.
I GREATLY appreciate everyone's info on my 203. I do own a Lionel semi scale 0-6-0 switcher (6-18000) stamped on the cab 8977 which I believe is a newer (and affordable) version of the 227 and 228 switchers. I do notice when I compare them side by side, that the 203 (stamped 8976) engine and tender is relatively smaller in size then my 8977. I'm embarrassed to say that I am not TOO tech savvy, so I will ask my friends how to take a pic of it and post it for you all to see. (lol!) Thank you again for your help. Take care, stay healthy, and I shall send those pics soon!
Here are the pics!
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As you can see from the pics, the 203 (8976) is smaller then my 8977. As I also stated before, the 203 tender under it is stamped "2203B" and the bell does work.
It's been restamped. The no. on the engine should be 203 and the tender Lionel Lines. The tender lettering is not the same font as the original and is too crisp.
A Lionel collector also informed me that in the hardcover book he has called Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains, he stated and read that Lionel did in fact, stamp some of the prewar 203 engines 8976 and the tenders PENNSYLVANIA and that it only happened during a small period of time. He states that these engines and tenders with these stampings are rare? I will have to ask him which hardcover book that it was in. But again, I do GREATLY appreciate ANY and all the info on this. Maybe if someone has those hardcover books they can search and confirm it? I will start searching now.
In the cab are there two or three plugs? A very interesting locomotive.
Thank you. I see there are only 2 plugs. I'm still trying to find out about that hardcover Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains book also...
I highly suspect the tender has been repainted. There is not a ding on the corners or bottom of the frame. Also looks too flat in color.
Chuck is correct that your (203) cab has been restamped. Enjoy it anyway but hopefully you did not overpay.
Tom
Thanks for the info. I only paid $153.00 for the loco & tender!
