In 1946 Lionel produced a variety of outfits similar to those in his pre-war catalogues. Among these offers were 23 games. This broad spectrum of sets allowed Lionel to offer sets at various price points, with the cheapest set retailing for just $24.95, while the deluxe set was $85.00.
1946 was the start year for many new designs, unlike the previous year which only repeated previously produced products. The new motive power included the O-Gauge 726 Berkshire, produced by installing a 2-8-4 mechanism in a boiler based on the pre-war 226E, and the new 6-8-6 Pennsylvania turbine. The latter was offered in O-Gauge sets under catalog number 671, while those included in O27 sets were numbered 2020. At the lower end of the line was an aerodynamic 2-6-4 under catalog number 221. .
New freight cars were also introduced. The 2411 “big inch” flat car shared its die-cast structure with the 2419 and 2420 work vans. Die-cast frames were also used for the new dump cars: 3451 for logs and 3459 for coal. The new 2460 crane also had a die-cast frame and was mounted on a pair of six-wheelers. These trucks shared many components with similar six-wheelers used in the bakelite-bodied 2625 passenger cars and the die-cast-bodied 2426W tender used by the 726.
The engineering used to produce the 1945, 2452 gondola was extended. The 2454 covered goods car, 2465 Sunoco tank car, and 3454 operating goods cars included plastic bodies mounted on steel frames. The 2452 was continued and was joined by a second nacelle, the 2452X, which lacked the brake wheels and barrels that adorned the 2452.
The lower-end O27 sets contained many cars that were reworked from pre-war designs, but as more of the year passed, an increasing number of new products were produced, including more expensive equipment. Following the success of the 1945 knuckle couplers, a spectacular new feature was included in the best games, smoke. Even more spectacular, but much less widespread, was Electronic Control, the latter available only in the 4109WS set. As was the case in 1945, the 1946 clothing boxes were simple corrugated cardboard boxes with labels affixed to identify the game they contained.
The following are some of the most sought after 1946 Lionel O27-Gauge sets:
1400W–Lionel O27 Passenger Kit–Retail Priced at $35.95
Includes: 221 2-6-4 steam locomotive with working headlight; 221W sheet metal tender; two blue 2430 Pullman cars; 2431 blue observation; eight 1013 curved tracks and three 1018 straight tracks; 1019 O27 remote control track section; UTC Lockon Instruction Booklet 926-5; 60 watt 1041 transformer.
This set was a slightly more expensive version of the 1400 set. For an additional $5.95 over the 1400, a 221W whistling tender replaced the 221T and the transformer was upgraded to a 60-watt 1401 unit. In excellent condition, this set is worth approx. $650. Like new, this set is worth approx. $1400.
1407B–Lionel O27 Switcher Bell Outfit–Retail price of $37.50
Included: 1665 0-4-0 steam switch with working beacon; 2403B lean-back tender with bell; 2560 skull; nacelle 2452X; 2419 working caboose; eight 1013s on a curved track and five 1018s on a straight track; 1019 O27 remote control track section; UTC lock; instruction booklet 926-5; 40 watt 1037 transformer.
This train was powered by a 1665 0-4-0 switcher, which was a pre-war redone 1662 switcher. Among the changes made to the locomotive were the fitting of the new post-war trucks to the tender and the fitting of Lionel’s new knuckle couplers to the rear of the tender and locomotive driver. Assembly of an injection molded plastic cab and two injection molded plastic tool boxes in the body casting created for the 2411 flat car packed into the 2419 work caboose. pressure in the cabin of the caboose. The 2560 sheet metal tow truck was carried over from the pre-war line in its original colors of yellow cab with a red roof. The 1946 production run of these cranes featured two-piece arms that were riveted together and had the Lionel name molded in. In excellent condition this set is worth approx. $900. Like new, this set is worth approx. $1500.
1421WS–Lionel O27 Freight Train–Retails $85.00
Included: 2020 6-8-6 steam turbine locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2020W early coal whistle tender; 3451 operational registration cart; 2465 Sunoco Double Dome Tank Car; 3454 freight car; 2472 caboose Pennsylvania N5 not illuminated; 164 log loaders in operation; ten 1013s on a curved track and five 1018s on a straight track; 1019 O27 remote control track section; pair of remote control turnouts 1121; UTC lock; instruction booklet 926-5; 60 watt 1041 transformer.
While the 1419W provided the owner with a coal empire, the 1421W, also priced at $85, created a logging empire. Behind the 2020 steam turbine on set was a die-cast 3451 log dumper wagon to be used in conjunction with the 164 log loader. The 1964 log wagon carried five untarnished logs and was rubber stamped in silver . The pickup shoes were wired with blue wire and a pair of 1121 remote control turnouts were included to incorporate the 164 into the track layout. A silver 3454 working freight car added even more action to the train, which was surprisingly finished with a plain red, unlit 2472 caboose. Like the 1419WS, many examples of this set have been found with a 75-watt 1042 transformer instead of the listed 60-watt 1041. This train in excellent condition is worth approx. $1500 and as new it is worth approx. $1500.
The following are some of the most sought after 1946 Lionel O-Gauge sets:
2110WS–Lionel Three-Car Passenger– Retail $75.00
Includes: 671 6-8-6 steam turbine locomotive with running headlight and smoke; early coal whistle tender 2466W; three heavyweight 2625 Pullmans; eight OC curved tracks and five OS straight tracks; RCS operation/uncoupling section; 167 whistle driver; UTC lock; Instruction booklet 926-5.
To create a premium O-gauge passenger set, Lionel revived the pre-war Bakelite “Irvington” passenger car. The post-war incarnation of this car included newly designed six-wheelers with knuckle couplers; derivatives of these trucks were also used on the 2460 crane and the 2426W tender. The bodies of the cars were painted brown or reddish-brown in contrast to the pre-war medium brown color. To tow this passenger train, Lionel used his replica 20-wheel Pennsylvania steam turbine, the 671. This set in excellent condition is worth approx. $1750 and this like new game is approx. $2975.
2113WS–Lionel O-Gauge Three Car Cargo Kit–Retails $67.50
Included: 726 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2426W die-cast auxiliary whistle; 2855 Black Sunoco Single Dome Tank Car; 3854 operational freight car; 2457 illuminated caboose; operating freight car eight OC; 2457 illuminated caboose; eight curved track OC and several straight track OS; RCS operation/uncoupling section; 167 whistle driver; UTC lock; Instruction booklet 926-5.
Debuting in the 2113WS team was the new 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive. Although a 2-8-4 would be a staple of Lionel’s O-gauge sets in the 1960s, the 1946 model was unique. The smoke unit was based on a bulb, the engine and reverse E-unit were mounted horizontally, and the handrails were mounted with turned struts. Early versions of the 726 were equipped with what collectors refer to as the “big stack” engine. Subsequently, the number of field laminations was reduced, resulting in what is known as the “short-stack” engine.
The corrugated component box was unique to the 1946 locomotive. Sealed with prewar-style orange and blue sealing tape, the box was marked with a manufacturer’s stamp reading: “GAIR BOGOTA CORR. & FIBER BOX CORP.” The ends of the box were stamped with “No. 726” in small letters. The towed cars were just as unique. Although listed as the common silver 2755, the tank car included was actually the rare black 1855. The tooling of the pre-war semi-scale wagon was revived and modified with the addition of a roof hatch and internal mechanism to create a working freight wagon, the 3854. This car is one of the hardest items to find. of the postwar era. In excellent condition this set is worth approx. $2000. Like new, this set is worth approx. $3200.
2114WS–Lionel O-Gauge Three Car Passenger Kit–Retails $77.50
Included: 726 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2426W cute whistle; three heavyweight 2625 Pullmans; eight OC curved tracks and five OS straight tracks; RCS operation/uncoupling section; 167 controller; UTC lock; Instruction booklet 926-5.
This was the most expensive passenger equipment offered in 1946. The three Bakelite 2625 Irvington passenger cars presented the 726 with a formidable load, especially those locomotives equipped with the “short-stack” rear engine. The die-cast tenders were fitted with die-cast whistle casings, and although initially stamped in white, they were eventually lettered in silver. In excellent condition, the set costs approx. $2,500 and as new is worth $4,000.