Lionel 257 with 8-wheel tender?

I dunno...but I always liked the eight wheeled tender better. Nice find!

according to my Prewar Doyle book the 257 only ran forward.

The 257 came in a few sets with the 4 wheel 259T tender, all were department store specials. And the books I have identify them as lacking the orange stripe like your find.

The Special 1, AMC set, c1934 had it with the two-tone green 607-607-608 passenger cars. Then there were two that used the Ives type litho freight cars. These are listed as #5004a with freight cars, 1707, 1708, 1709 and 1712. And set 5004b without the 1707. Although listed as shipping in 1934-35, some still wore the Ives plates, others had Lionel or a combination of the two. After all, these were some of the cheaper sets, and they often filled orders with what stock they had to get rid of.  

NICE FIND - I have always have been fond of the 257 - the 384's "baby" brother. Both have that delightful stubby look!

Fred,

   Steamer (David) has this one nailed, the 257 was a FWD running engineering only, had no reverse.  Further there were several different Tenders on the train sets depending on where and how it was sold.  

PCRR/Dave

The 257 came with either the 257T or 259T, depending on which Set, and both are only 4 wheel.  Your tender is actually the 261T, which is 8 wheel.  If you think it looks good, don’t worry what others say.

Thank you all; I did a google picture search and found that my 257 is not the only one with an 8-wheel tender.

Regards

Fred

It's probably possible that there were a few un-cataloged sets that featured a 257 with the eight wheel 261t tender.  Maybe the new Greenburg volume II will talk about it!!  I will be fine as is.  You could also find a 4 wheel tender pretty easy.  Take a look at your loco though, if it has double reduction gears, they are probably the notorious fiber and brass gears.  The fiber is the outer gear part and they seem to become brittle and come apart.  That said, some seem to stay in good shape.  All metal reproductions are available if needed though.  You can also get a glue on replacement cow catcher as well.

BTW, Nice loco Fred!

Fred, great find! I have a Lionel 262 and 26, one of them came with the four wheel tender. I prefer the 8 wheel tender and found one on ebay to replace the 4 wheel tender. I still have the four wheel tender if your interested in it.

Popi