Model Train Journal

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335872042628

I have had a lot of these over the decades. Still have a couple. Every one I have had has silver end rails, but there are variations!
Not one, ever, came with postwar trucks, especially tab couplers! And they don't even match!
Box couplers unless early, then latch. The lack of plates and recesses I think makes it early. Too bad.
I probably did a postwar truck conversion on one or two, just to be able to use them, but I would never leave the frame mangled and needing paint.
$58 and change plus the cost of proper pre-war trucks and a strip/repaint, makes this the deal of the decade!

I have seen cars like that one sell with a group of 6 or seven on TRAINZ for a lot less money

ScaleCraft wrote:The lack of plates and recesses I think makes it early.

Nope, stamped lettering, the lack of plates and recesses makes this late production, probably 1939-1941 (can't lay my hands on the book right now). Should have an operating box-coupler, tinplate trucks with black journals; certainly no postwar trucks.

healey36 wrote:

ScaleCraft wrote:The lack of plates and recesses I think makes it early.

Nope, stamped lettering, the lack of plates and recesses makes this late production, probably 1939-1941 (can't lay my hands on the book right now). Should have an operating box-coupler, tinplate trucks with black journals; certainly no postwar trucks.

Couldn't remember cutoff. My first one, probably still here, came with my uncle's 225E in Christmas of 1940.
Heck of a good buy!

Very nice!

I'm still hunting a nice, reasonably-priced 225E in black. I have a near-mint 2235T here that needs a mate.

healey36 wrote:Very nice!

I'm still hunting a nice, reasonably-priced 225E in black. I have a near-mint 2235T here that needs a mate.

I have a bunch of modified 225E's. Functional front coupler, delete Elesco feedwater heater, repaint, cab number board recesses filled, all lettered NP. Plus my Uncles 225E from Christmas of 1940, sporting a 675 steam chest with functional coupler, original steamchest and pilot truck in a bag.

Saving it for my son. Rest of it....no interest. Not original, mint, OB.

healey36 wrote:Very nice!

I'm still hunting a nice, reasonably-priced 225E in black. I have a near-mint 2235T here that needs a mate.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388672879339

7 bids up to $49

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136128453457

hundred bucks, no bids, touch up the corner of the cab roof, repro smokebox front, pitch the tin tender.

Who makes/offers a repro smokebox front? I need one of those for the gunmetal 225E I have, but none of the parts guys I run with offer one. Same smokebox front as the 226E, I believe.

healey36 wrote:Who makes/offers a repro smokebox front? I need one of those for the gunmetal 225E I have, but none of the parts guys I run with offer one. Same smokebox front as the 226E, I believe.

I never had a problem, any of the guys. Hennings, Train Tender.
Now? Good luck.
Saw one two days ago on the bait.
If you're a cheap skate, any opening front will work with a bit of superglue.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226818361678
cheap, and looks available.

Move fast!

Thanks! Flipped Paul a note to send me one of each (black and gunmetal). Funny how I just talked to him in the last month and he didn’t mention these (I’ve talked to him about needing them before). Oh well, waiting for a call-back. Thanks again for the heads-up.