Lionel 1946 No. 726 Berkshire 2-8-4 w/ 2426W Tender OB

This is the top of the line in Lionel Berkshires. This is the rare 1946 Lionel No. 726 steam engine, and its No. 2426W Tender. Included are the original BOXES. Lionel placed the most detail and best running gear on this engine. Instead of cotter pins as used in the following years, Lionel used stanchions to hold the handrails on the engine. Instead of having the motor drive the rear axle and using the main rod to drive the rest of the axles, Lionel placed the motor horizontally and used a drive shaft to drive the front and rear axles. Plus of course no e-unit slot through the top of the boiler.

The engine and tender are in excellent condition - as seen in the pictures. I think the pictures speak for themselves, but I will detail what I see. I do not know the history of this particular engine. I was surprised to see that one side of the cab is not stamped. Could this be factory? The engine is very nice and my belief is that it is original paint. I do notice that the back cab roof has a very small bend to one corner (see pics). Also, the small whistle on the engine top is loose. The engine heat bulb works, and the engine ran fine in forward and reverse. The 2626W Tender is the rare white stamped version. The stamps are very nice with only slight fading. I do believe that the one wire underneath has been replaced, also the other wire is cracked. On the front I see that the black paint on the frame has flaked. The whistle worked. The Engine box is brick and in great condition with its interior lining. The Tender box has a great original lining. The box itself is missing an end flap and an interior flap. All in all a very nice train that should not be missed. Thanks.

Price: $665 SORRY! SOLD!