Lionel 226E...what class?

Well, it would be

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-6-2

But the boiler and detailing point to it being based on the early-to-mid-century Alco steamers(Hudson, Mohawk).

Joe, easy to adapt a postwar 4 wheel pilot truck, with no mods, …..then it can be a Hudson,…..😁

Pat

Joe,

My first train was a Lionel 2026 with the 2-6-4 wheel configuration.  It was in the early to mid 50's and I saved quarters two years to make the purchase. It had always been under the Christmas tree every year until I switched to DCS Command .  Then I met a very knowledgeable man who told me a 2-6-4 never existed.

Long story short(er), I did some research! It seems that Lionel played rather loose with what was prototypical in their bottom line, post war offerings.  I believe that 2-6-4's were manufactured in the USA prior to WW2 and were sent to Russia to help them try to hold the eastern front.  I believe none of them stayed in this country.

Since then they have been classified as Prairie (type) for they have often been confused with the actual Prairie 2-6-2.  The original locomotives that were sent to Russia were referred to as Adriatic's by the manufacturers because of the Russian connection.  This was all through the war department.

If I am wrong with my facts, I'm sure the guys will correct my errors but this will be a start. I still have the 2-6-4 and would never let it go!!!

John

thanks to all for the info...question answered....no specific prototype....

The 226E is not based on a specific prototype.  As ^^Rob already said, the features of the boiler, especially the thicker "apron"(?) in front of the cab, seem to be inspired by a NYC Hudson or Mohawk.  It (and especially the postwar 726 derived from it) also resembles the Erie S-class Berkshire IMO.  Don't make too big a deal about the wheel arrangement.  Lionel didn't have an 8-wheel chassis before the war, and they didn't develop a 4-wheel lead truck for their smaller steam locos until 1950.

The early '50s 2026 (and 2036, 2018, etc.) that John mentioned remind me of the C&O Kanawha, P&LE A-2 Berkshires, etc.  The casting derived from the prewar 1666 had details added in 1948 and again during the 1950s that suggest a very modern steam locomotive.  I think of the ones with sintered iron wheels as vest-pocket Berkshires.  Yes, I know it's a 2-6-4 not a 2-8-4.  Perhaps Lionel was attempting to depict a heavy freight loco that wouldn't look out of place on O27 curves, and it was much cheaper to produce than the 736.  The early-version 2026 with steel tires and prominent handrails gives me a passenger vibe.  It makes me think of the Reading G3 and B&O P7 Pacifics, or even a greatly-compressed B&O T3 Mountain.

Another example might be the Scout type locos.  In the Lionel world they are 2-4-2s but the Columbia wasn't a popular wheel arrangement in real life.  When you look at Lionel's, they have two widely spaced axles because that was easy and inexpensive to produce, the design goes all the way back to Standard Gague days.  But imagine for a moment how they would look with eight small driving wheels!  To me the USRA-era boiler styling suggests an NYC H5-class light Mikado, and that's how we treated them on our railroad -- as the ubiquitous local freight engines.

I know the Forum has its share of scale purists.  It seems like no one is willing to make a new "generic" steam locomotive these days, the last new one might have been the all-plastic 8300 at the beginning of the MPC era.  But IMO there will always be compromises, and imagination remains a key part of the hobby!

The Lionel prewar #226E is vintage Lionel at it's best!