Lionel pw-736-1 1950-51 berk

736 BERKSHIRE 2-8-4 STEAM LOCO AND TENDER (BUILT 1950 TO 1951 ONLY)

 

One of Lionel's premium steam locomotive offerings, the #736 2-8-4 "Berkshire" was available in five different variations from 1950 through to 1968 (excluding 1952 because of the Korean United Nations conflict). Silver rubber- stamped lettering beneath cab window which had three simulated panes. Diecast metal trailing truck. Hexagonal-based flagstaffs. Black painted diecast body and chemically blackened diecast pilot. Ornamental whistle and moving bell. Wire hand rails. Hinged boiler front. Magnetraction, three position E-unit, working head light, lens and smoke. 2671WS streamlined "Lionel Lines" tender with water scoop and one magnetic coupler, six wheel trucks, base plate usually stamped with 2671WS. The prototype Berkshires were known for their superior ability to climb mountains. The first ones were built by the Lima Locomotive works in 1924 and operated on the Boston and Albany. They were given the nickname "Berkshire" because of how well they handled that mountain range for the B&A - especially compared to the USRA 2-8-2 "Mikados" that were in use at the time. Subsequently, hundreds of these giants were built (mostly by Lima, Baldwin, and Alco) for dozens of railroads across the United States. The last of them rolled out of the shops in 1949. Some of the largest fleets of Berkshires were on the Erie Railroad (105), the Chesapeake and Ohio (90), the Nickel Plate (80), and the B&A (55). Probably the most famous Berkshire is the Pere Marquette's #1225, the engine featured in the 2004 movie, "The Polar Express". This version of the Berkshire was the first 736 that Lionel made and was available in 1950 and 1951. It always came with a #2671WX six axle, 12 wheel tender. It was the motive power in two sets - the 2163WS and 2165WS of 1950. The 2163WS was reissued in 1951 and the engine was also available for separate sale. Some tenders came with "PENNSYLVANIA," while some sported "LIONEL LINES." The numbers on each side of the cab are rubber-stamped in silver, while the tender lettering is heat-stamped. It has an ornamental whistle and bell, as well as wire handrails running down both sides of the boiler. The front of the boiler is on hinges and can be opened to change the headlight bulb. It also has a full compliment of driving rods, connecting spoked drivers and a diecast trailing truck. This engine features a powerful Pullmor motor mounted at an angle with a worm drive shaft, Magnetraction, three position E- unit, operating smoke unit, headlight, and a whistle in the tender. There are several small factors that changed over the years which can be used to identify the different versions. The main ones are whether the trailing truck is plastic or diecast, the method in which the numbers on the cab were applied, and the accompanying tender.

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