Value of 1950 Lionel 773

you have no email in your profile that i can see

What kind/type of motor was it replaced with?  Could be a plus...

@Dave Nichols posted:

you have no email in your profile that i can see

willbrax@earthlink.net

@c.sam posted:

What kind/type of motor was it replaced with?  Could be a plus...

Can’t recall if my local Lionel service guy was able to identify the motor but I’ll be seeing him this weekend.

@c.sam posted:

What kind/type of motor was it replaced with?  Could be a plus..

Looks like a modern Lionel Hudson motor.

I'd be willing to bet you would still get a good price for this if you start the auction out on a reasonable starting bid rate. Don't set the opening bid too high or it will just sit there. You might want to see if you can get the motor replaced with an original if at all possible. I've sold quite a few pieces on Ebay along with a couples of 773's and let me tell you this is the engine most bidders are finicky about. What I've discovered is that there seems to be this notion that if you are selling a collectable piece as with this one, that you are just as knowledgeable as the person bidding on it.  Include as many pictures as you can with the same information as you stated here. Good luck!

@Lenny the Lion posted:

I'd be willing to bet you would still get a good price for this if you start the auction out on a reasonable starting bid rate. Don't set the opening bid too high or it will just sit there. You might want to see if you can get the motor replaced with an original if at all possible. I've sold quite a few pieces on Ebay along with a couples of 773's and let me tell you this is the engine most bidders are finicky about. What I've discovered is that there seems to be this notion that if you are selling a collectable piece as with this one, that you are just as knowledgeable as the person bidding on it.  Include as many pictures as you can with the same information as you stated here. Good luck!

Okay. Thank you.

Bill...please make sure this does not evolve into a for sale thread.  If you are going to sell, then post it over on the for sale category with a price.

You may have a hard time selling.  Reason is that it is not original, probably BETTER than an original, but collectors usually want the 1950 773 intact and original.

You may even find a guy that appreciates what must be a better runner than it was in 1950, and wanting to buy it.  Maybe a short video of it running??  After all, if ONE guy wants it bad enough to pay $2000 then it is WORTH $ 2000.  You just have to find that guy.   But it's all a risk and would take awhile.

You can buy a brand NEW, never run Century Club 773 for about $ 800.  It has TMCC, a newer (still pullmor) motor. Never run.  Lube and go.   

Looking at the bay- prices on 1950 originals range from $2700 (with all boxes, instructions, etc.)  to about $1500.  So let's say yours might bring $1800 back with all-original parts.

Pat at Harmon Yards has done a lot of 773 re-motors, where he replaces the open-frame "pullmor" motors with precision can motors, maximizes the gear train, adds electronics with cruise control etc.  But- most of his reworks I would guess are on the 1964, the Century Club, the Postwar Celebration etc, versions, which are not as collectible, and worth 1/2 or less than the 1950 773.   But he MAY have all the original parts FROM a 1950.

Look at his video of my Century Club 773 running after Pat worked his magic.

https://ogrforum.com/...es-from-harmon-shops

If he would sell parts to you, you could reverse the changes made before, and it might bring $1500.  But if you do put the old parts back in, be sure to tell people the motor has been replaced and whatever else is not original.

Are you sure the engine is a 1950 773? The motor is from from the 1990-2005 era. It might just be a remotor or an original shell on a modern chassis, or modern shell and chassis. Late model Pullmor motors use metric screws. That would be a clue to its origin.

Pete

@Mike Wyatt posted:

You may have a hard time selling.  Reason is that it is not original, probably BETTER than an original, but collectors usually want the 1950 773 intact and original.

You may even find a guy that appreciates what must be a better runner than it was in 1950, and wanting to buy it.  Maybe a short video of it running??  After all, if ONE guy wants it bad enough to pay $2000 then it is WORTH $ 2000.  You just have to find that guy.   But it's all a risk and would take awhile.

You can buy a brand NEW, never run Century Club 773 for about $ 800.  It has TMCC, a newer (still pullmor) motor. Never run.  Lube and go.   

Looking at the bay- prices on 1950 originals range from $2700 (with all boxes, instructions, etc.)  to about $1500.  So let's say yours might bring $1800 back with all-original parts.

Pat at Harmon Yards has done a lot of 773 re-motors, where he replaces the open-frame "pullmor" motors with C can motors, maximizes the gear train, adds electronics with cruise control etc.  But- most of his reworks I would guess are on the 1964, the Century Club, the Postwar Celebration etc, versions, which are not as collectible, and worth 1/2 or less than the 1950 773.   But he MAY have all the original parts FROM a 1950.

Look at his video of my Century Club 773 running after Pat worked his magic.

https://ogrforum.com/...es-from-harmon-shops

If he would sell parts to you, you could reverse the changes made before, and it might bring $1500.  But if you do put the old parts back in, be sure to tell people the motor has been replaced and whatever else in not original.

Good information. Thanks.

@Norton posted:

Are you sure the engine is a 1950 773? The motor is from from the 1990-2005 era. It might just be a remotor or an original shell on a modern chassis, or modern shell and chassis. Late model Pullmor motors use metric screws. That would be a clue to its origin.

Pete

A very knowledgeable and longtime Lionel service repairman disassembled it and serviced it in my presence. It is most certainly a genuine 1950 with a re-motor.

What does the loco have for an e-unit?  The 773 motor was special because it had a plug on it to turn the e-unit on and off. There is no slot on your loco for the e-unit lever and the plug is not on the replacement motor. Is the e-unit on all the time? Or has the e-unit been changed for an electronic e-unit?  Also I noticed that the flag holders have a hex shaped base. This was done on the 700e so the flag holders could be screwed in with a nut driver.  By 1950 the flag holders has changed to a press in design and were made from round stock, not hex stock.  These are little things that make me wonder about the heritage of this loco.  This is a good place to get this resolved as there are lots of knowledgeable people willing to help here. If you want more help, add more photos.  A picture of the underside showing the collector assembly might be a telling photo.  

Come on!! The guy has a nice (appearances) 1950 773!!  He replaced (or had replaced) the motor because it needed it.  The engine likely runs as well or better than an original. It may not be a collectible shelf queen now, but it is probably easy enough to make it all original, so it is, and at a good deal.  Probably also has the exact correct number of rivets too!!

I would have an older refurbished motor and e-unit (if it is missing), add back the backhead, all returned to original, and sell it for maybe $1500. Just be sure to state that is has a replacement, 1950, motor.  Pat Norcross has the exact correct motor, and probably with new brushes, tested, perfect.   Maybe $ 50- 80.