Prewar guidance

Box Coupler was introduced in 1936.

Run down a used copy of the Greenberg prewar book(s)...invaluable.

BTW, I think one of my first prewar items was an O-27 Shell tank car similar to yours. Be prepared to lose control...

I shopped for Greenberg's books on prewar Lionel.  There are several, some costing hundreds of dollars.  Which one should I focus on for O-27 size?  (traditional?)

Pick up the prewar book by David Doyle.

Odenville,  The best book is Greenberg Guide 1901-1942, Vol. II,  O & OO.  Forget Doyle unless you want photos.  Keep searching, for good price on Greenberg book, they are there. Bruce is working on an update, which won’t be available until sometime in 2020, but the price will most likely be $100, as his latest release.  Just do Google search, Abesbooks, etc., for the Volume I listed.  Most are being offered at $75 and upward, but I found one for $30, with judicious searching.  You won’t regret it, if you want to understand Prewar O scale.  There is different volume for 2 7/8” & Standard Gauge, if that is in your eyesight.  Have fun looking.

Yup, I agree...skip Doyle and go for Greenberg Guide 1901-1942, Vol. II,  O & OO. Not only provides photos of the pieces, but provides thorough background info as well. Vol. III covers all of the accessories of the era.

Check your local library ours had the the Greenberg volumes.

In reference to couplers, Hook couplers 1915-1927; Latch couplers 1923-1942; Box couplers 1936-1942, with different types of each couplers.  The different types were improvements during production.   

If you check Bookfinder.com and search on Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains: 1901-1942, Vol. 2: O and OO Gauges there is one currently for sale for $56.  I'd recommend using Bookfinder for the simple reason that it searches across all of the book sales websites including Abebooks, Alibris, Biblio, Amazon, etc.

Odenville Bill, I emailed you with a link to the Greenberg Guide, at less than $40 which included shipping.  Check your email.

Buying now.  Thank you. 

Any votes for the TCA's "Lionel Trains - Standard of the World 1900-1943"?

The TCA “Standard of the World”, is too outdated, and doesn’t cover multiple variations, which you Do find in Greenberg’s Guide.  The T&M book is good, to a point, but also is lacking against the Greenberg Guide.  And YES, I own all of these books, including Doyle, and Paul V. Ambrose Postwar.

For anyone looking for Greenberg Prewar O gauge guide, VOL. II, there is another one available on eBay right now for $39.04 total w/shipping.  (Buy it Now listing). Item 283589071257.

The current BEST, and most WELL RESEARCHED, Lionel prewar guides are the new and widely acclaimed, Greenberg Guides. The first edition covers standard gauge and 2 7/8" gauge, while the second will be O gauge. Of course, research is ongoing, and these excellent references will eventually be amended and updated, but they are the BEST for now! They are not inexpensive, but are well worth the asking price!  ☺

As Tinplate Art has stated, the newest edition of Standard & 2 7/8" Prewar Vol. I, was updated in 2015, covering 1915-1928,  with over 1800 photos, and very well documented.   The Vol. II will contain O gauge, from 1929-1942, and is due to be released some time in 2020.  The price of either book is $100.00, but well worth the investment, if you need to know anything related to either series.  

I met with Bruce Greenberg last October, in York, to have my collection of all the variations to Lionel's Torpedo locomotives, which was the 1588 wind up, the 1668E (2-6-2), & the 1688E (2-4-2) locos.  As an example, the 1688E had a total of 18 different body castings, from 1936-1942, and used three (3) different motors, during it's production.  I have all the variations, of the 1688, and know the different variations of the 1588 and 1668.  I spent close to two years researching, all the variations, and was completely surprised with the results.

I do not have Vol II, and I thought it was already released. THANK YOU for the correction! ☺

I bought Greenbreg's volume II, 2001 edition, off the bay for$42 with shipping and sales tax.  While tracking this down I ran across a volume on prewar train sets.  What are your opinions on that book?  I fear I've contracted prewar fever.

Bill

GOOD price on that 2001 edition, which I also have without a dust jacket, but otherwise like-new!

If you want a great, fun book, pick up a used copy of Peter Riddle's "Trains From Grandfather's Attic: Layout Construction and Operating Techniques for the Prewar Train Enthusiast". Worth every penny.

Odenville Bill, After you receive the Guide book, and have a brief look throughout the ok, post your impression of what it explains, etc..  Basically if you find it worth buying, and would recommend others.

The book is due here on Friday.

Bill,

 Great advice you've received on the Greenberg prewar book that you purchased. I think you'll really enjoy it. I think I have 3 of them floating around my house. It is very well done.

There are some good to great prewar bargains out there nowadays whether online or at local train shows, so you'll have lots of opportunities to lose your money! 

Tom

PS--Having said all that, I would not rely on the book on its way to you as an accurate estimate of current prices. I would instead look at sales on auctions like eBay as a better guesstimate. 

Tom

NNJ Railfan posted:

Any votes for the TCA's "Lionel Trains - Standard of the World 1900-1943"?

I like it, and it's readily available at a reasonable price - I've seen brand new copies going for $25 or less at meets, and slightly-used ones going for $5-10.

I wouldn't criticize any of the books which have been mentioned - the choice really depends on how deeply a person wants to dive into details regarding variations.  Another factor is price - some of them are really expensive on the secondary market.  

If you want an exhaustive list of standard gauge variations, there's also Caryl Pettijohn's book.  I believe that he still sells it at York.

As MALLARD4468 has stated, it boils down to how in depth you want to research.  As ar as buying items, Please check recently sold. Items, and average the prices, to know what you should pay.  That is the best advice for buying.  Don’t overlook items that may only need Minor repairs either.

Great advice gentlemen.  My intention is to identify and purchase cars and the steam engine like my Father had as a boy.  I would like him to relive that childhood memory.

Odenville Bill posted:

Great advice gentlemen.  My intention is to identify and purchase cars and the steam engine like my Father had as a boy.  I would like him to relive that childhood memory.

Do you have a list of the car numbers.  I've got about two dozen random O gauge cars that I'm selling from a collection that I bought recently.  Would be glad to post a list if that is of interest.  All made between 1931 and 1041.

That is a great plan.  I got hooked on prewar standard gauge after my dad gave me his #10 set.  Now it is set up back at his house.  I have some nice pieces.  Not too much, but fun to run.  Very cool seeing 90 + year old trains working like new.  A little patina never hurt anything.  Adds to the charm.  Have fun.

Cheers,       W1

mlaughlinnyc ,

I do not know what he had yet.  I have Greenbregs prewar book coming in Friday.  I hope my Father and I can figure that out.  I would like to see what you have.  Please send a list and/or pictures.

billsmtn@windstream.net

Thanks, Bill

Hard to beat those Lionel #8 and #10 standard gauge sets. Usually only require driver replacement due to zinc pest.