I have had a very nice Lionel semi scale 2957 caboose and 2055 tank car for quite a while. I've had them boxed up for for many years and as nice as are they didn't fit my plan nor did I want to change out their good looking trucks & coupler. I'm a PW to transition to modern kind of dude. These 2 beautiful cars have been in a box for about 7-8 year and today I found the box and opened it up. 
Got a wild idea of searching for the matching boxcar and hopper along with finding a nice steam loco to pull it. A 700e is very much out of the question. I unfortunately pushed prewar away and now I wish hadn't. The freight cars I can figure out to complete this set out but for the loco is where I need a direction. I'm wanting to pick up a nicer loco, again nothing near a 700e (I have a 783 and 785 and those will give me my Hudson fix) that will match well with the current cars and hoped to be found boxcar and hopper. Semi scale would be preferred but not a large monster. Cal Stewart is coming up in a week and may I can find a nice treasure. I might add that these will be run, a lot. So let me know suggestions. 226 or 224 a good start???????
Thanks in advance
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