Pre war train set identification

The engine is a 257 & the tender is a 257T. The cars are 600 series passenger cars. the engine and tender are worth about $100. the cars are worth about $25.to $35 each. Of coarse it all depends on condition.

Thanks for the info train set belonged to my dad.

Clean it up and hold on to it!

According to Greenburgs book, your set was an uncataloged set 'Special #1' for AMC (Associated Merchants Corp.)  (?) in 1932.

Chuck

Thanks for info but what does it mean?

Your Dad's set was not in the general consumer catalog. It contains a grouping of a locomotive and cars that was only available from the distributor AMC. The sets were likely sold to Mom and Pop hardware stores in the general area for a special wholesale price in the midst of the depression that was below the catalog price of a similar set.  The guide book also lists a AMC set 'Special no. 2"

The orange stripe on the engine was discontinued in 1933, so your set dates to 1932.

Ok, just did more research....disregard all the info above. I was going by Eddie G's post as far as engine number. While I can't read the number in the picture on the locomotive plate, I'm pretty sure it is 258. That changes everything.

You set is #236 and manufactured in 1930. It was cataloged. It retailed for 16.50, with track, but no power supply.

From my 1930 catalog:

Thanks Chuck

#258 is on locomotive.  What is value?

Is it what previous post said?

RK

Yes, I pretty much agree on the price. about 140.00 for the loco/tender and about 125.00 for the three car set.

I'm a little surprised since this is a 90 yr old train in good shape.  Was there just too many of them to increase their value?  It has not been run since the 60s just on display but it ran just fine then.  It is going to my grandsons and is not for sale anyway.  Thanks for the informative post.

RK

The locomotive and cars are common in the collectors circle. It is a good quality set for 1930, and by all means keep it as a family heirloom.

Look at the copper bar on an 45 degree angle on the side of the engine. That bar is on the 257, not the 258.

Eddie G.

The copper bar is at 45 degree angle but number on train is 258.

Rk

Unlike the picture in the catalogue my #258 is only on the door of the locomotive not the side.

RK