In 1946, Lionel produced a variety of outfits similar to those in his pre-war catalogs. Among these offers were 23 games. This broad spectrum of outfits allowed Lionel to offer outfits at various prices, with the most economical set retailing for just $ 24.95, while the deluxe set was $ 85.00.
1946 was the debut year for many new designs, as opposed to the previous year, which only repeated previously produced products. The new powerplant included the O-Gauge 726 Berkshire, produced by installing a 2-8-4 mechanism in a boiler based on the prewar 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 had number 2020. At the lower end of the line was a streamlined 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 trucks. 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 expanded. The 2454 covered freight car, 2465 Sunoco tank car, and 3454 operational freight cars featured 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, which were included in 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 on the 4109WS set. As was the case in 1945, the 1946 clothing boxes were simple corrugated cardboard boxes with labels attached to identify the set they contained.
The following are some of the most sought after Lionel O27-Gauge sets from 1946:
1400W – Lionel O27 Passenger Set – $ 35.95 Retail
Includes: steam locomotive 221 2-6-4 with working headlight; sheet metal tender 221W; two blue 2430 Pullman cars; 2431 blue observation; eight 1013 curved roads and three 1018 straight roads; 1019 O27 remote control track section; UTC Lockon, Instruction Manual 926-5; 1041 60 watt transformer.
This set was a slightly more expensive version of the 1400 set. For an additional $ 5.95 over the 1400, a 221W hissing 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 game is worth approx. $ 1400.
1407B – Lionel O27 Switcher Bell Outfit – Retail for $ 37.50
Included: 1665 0-4-0 steam switch with operational light; 2403B Tilt-Back Tender with Bell; 2560 crane; gondola 2452X; 2419 working caboose; eight 1013 on curved track and five 1018 on 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 switch, which was a refurbished pre-war 1662 switch. Among the changes made to the locomotive were the installation of the new post-war trucks on the tender and the fitting of the new Lionel knuckle couplers on the rear of the tender and the locomotive pilot. Assembly of an injection molded plastic cab and two injection molded plastic toolboxes in the body foundry created for the 2411 flatbed wagon packed into the 2419 work caboose. A cast smoke jack was installed at pressure in the caboose cabin. The 2560 sheet metal crane car was moved from the pre-war line in its original yellow cab with red roof colors. The 1946 production of these cranes included two-piece arms that were riveted and had the Lionel name molded into them. In excellent condition this set is worth approx. $ 900. Like new, this set is worth approx. $ 1500.
1421WS – Lionel O27 Freight Train – Retail for $ 85.00
Included: 6-8-6 2020 steam turbine locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2020W early coal whistle tender; 3451 operational log cart; 2465 Sunoco Double Dome Tank Car; 3454 freight wagon; 2472 Pennsylvania N5 caboose not illuminated; 164 log loader in operation; ten 1013 on curved track and five 1018 on straight track; 1019 O27 remote control track section; pair of remote control turnouts 1121; UTC lock; Instruction Booklet 926-5; 1041 60 watt transformer.
While the 1419W provided the owner with a coal empire, the 1421W, also priced at $ 85, created a lumber empire. Behind the 2020 steam turbine on set was a die cast 3451 log dump car that would be used in conjunction with the 164 log loader. The 1964 log car carried five unstained logs and had a rubber stamp in silver . The truck’s 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 operational freight car added even more action to the train, which surprisingly was finished with a plain red 2472 caboose, with no lighting. 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 in as new condition it is worth approx. $ 1500.
The following are some of the most sought-after Lionel O-Gauge ensembles from 1946:
2110WS – Lionel Three-Car Passenger– $ 75.00 Retail
Includes: 671 6-8-6 steam turbine locomotive with running headlamp and smoke; early coal whistle tender 2466W; three 2625 heavyweight Pullmans; eight OC curved tracks and five OS straight tracks; RCS decoupling / operation section; 167 whistle driver; UTC lock; Instruction Booklet 926-5.
To create a premium O-caliber passenger ensemble, 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 from these trucks were also used on the 2460 crane and 2426W tender. The car bodies were painted brown or reddish brown in contrast to the pre-war medium brown color. To tow this passenger train, Lionel used his replica of Pennsylvania’s 20-wheel steam turbine, the 671. This set in excellent condition is worth approx. $ 1750 and this game like new is worth approx. $ 2975.
2113WS – Lionel O-Gauge Three-Car Freight Outfit – Retail for $ 67.50
Included: 726 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2426W die-cast auxiliary whistle; 2855 Sunoco single dome tank car black; 3854 freight wagon operational; 2457 illuminated caboose; operating freight car eight OC; 2457 illuminated caboose; eight OC curved tracks and several OS straight tracks; RCS decoupling / operation section; 167 whistle driver; UTC lock; Instruction Booklet 926-5.
Debuting on 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-caliber sets of the 1960s, the 1946 model was unique. The smoke unit was based on a light bulb, the motor 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 a “big battery” engine. Subsequently, the number of field laminations was reduced, resulting in what is known as a “short stack” motor.
The corrugated component box was exclusive to the 1946 locomotive. Sealed with prewar style orange and blue sealing tape, the box was marked with a manufacturer’s stamp that read: “GAIR BOGOTA CORR. & FIBER BOX CORP.” The ends of the box were stamped with “No. 726” in small letters. The cars in tow were just as unique. Although listed as the common silver 2755, the included tank car was actually the rare black 1855. The tools of the pre-war half-scale wagon were revived and modified with the addition of a hatch in the roof and an internal mechanism to create a working freight wagon, the 3854. This car is one of the most difficult items to build. find from the postwar era. In excellent condition this set is worth approx. $ 2000. Like new, this game is worth approx. $ 3200.
2114WS – Lionel O-Gauge Three Car Passenger Suit – Retail for $ 77.50
Included: 726 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive with working headlight and smoke; 2426W cute whistle; three 2625 heavyweight Pullmans; eight OC curved tracks and five OS straight tracks; RCS decoupling / operation 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 featured the 726 with formidable payload, especially those locomotives equipped with the “short-stack” rear engine. The die-cast tenders were fitted with die-cast whistle housings and although they were initially stamped in white, they were eventually inscribed in silver. In excellent condition the set is worth approx. $ 2500 and as new it is worth $ 4000.