What is it?

I'd say someone spliced Lionel tinplate Milwaukee Road Bi-Polar / Olympian "O" gauge bodies and put postwar GG-1 pilot trucks and Baldwin Disc steam locomotive drivers underneath. Unless the drivers were placed in a custom 4-axle frame, they may be two four-wheel (0-4-0) sets - maybe with their own motors.

I saw GG-1 pilots and a postwar knuckle coupler in the enlarged photo.

Looks like it might be non-powered, or maybe single motor. Note that you can see through the cab windows to the grille on the opposite side. Normally you would expect the view to be blocked by the motor. I agree that it is some kind of custom built item. 

Don't know what it is, other than home made. And very, very cool!

The close spacing of the drivers reminds me of my 2020 turbine. Possibly the wee beasty is 8 wheel drive using a turbine or other similar 8 wheel drive train. Looks like maybe the motor is under the hood on the pantograph end?

yeah that's definitely GG1 ends. interesting.

So the current consensus is a Frankenstein engine?  

Thanks for all the input.

that's what I'd say, and not a bad thing, someone got creative and made something. Be great to see it finished and polishing some rails.

I'll second Dave's post

Could we see a picture of the underside?

Body looks like two Lionel #10 engines put together.

The mech reminds me of the 1946 version of the 726. Can you pop the shell?

I'd appreciate seeing more pictures too.

the way I read the OP...it's not his (yet) and that's the only pic he has. sounds like it's on an auction site.

I'll provide much more info and pics after Jan 07 (expected delivery.) The seller says it does run. I'm concerned on it's minimum radius o34 or larger...

It all depends on what mech is under the hood.

The beast came early. The chassis is two parts and the body looks like two Lionel 681E's tied together.

That chassis is from the 1946 version of the 726 Berkshire. The collector plate is a dead give-away. The motor and e-unit confirm this.

Perhaps the body is two 254 locomotive bodies spliced together.
I believe the other donor engines mentioned are standard gauge.

Called it right for once lol.

That's truly awesome1

I like it!

Wish I had it XD

C W Burfle posted:

That chassis is from the 1946 version of the 726 Berkshire. The collector plate is a dead give-away. The motor and e-unit confirm this.

CW Burfle is right as usual. I am re doing an early 726  right now and will put pics out tomorrow. It's it.

Matt

Agree on the double 254. I should have weighed this beast very heavy (weights are placed to counter balance the mortor?) One thing that it is not is 'maga drive'. With close inspection the drivers a obviously from a steam system.

Anyway a great conversation piece for the layout... 

So..... how does it run?