I never saw Lionel or American Flyer growing up down here in Oz. Your models are in terrific condition for their age, built to last as they say. Enjoyed the vid mate, comparisons are very interesting to watch. Thanks for posting. Steve
Great video. Wish you ran each of them separately so we could see them in action and hear the motors and whistles, also see how smooth they’re able to run at slower speeds.
I have the early 726 Berkshire and mine is very nice condition as well. I had to have the commutator replaced in mine because it ran hot and noisy even after I cleaned oiled and lubed the engine. After that she runs like a fine swiss watch very quiet and smooth and alot more powerful. She could easily fly off the curves if run too fast even with a load of cars in tow despite the low gearing. It was the best postwar engine ever made because it ran the best and looked the best in my opinion. I had a very nice 226E that I sold for next to nothing because I never ran it much. Now I'm kicking myself. I can't afford one now especially like the one as nice as I had. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it.
Well A "BIG Thank You"👏 For clarifying this dilemma I've been struggling with lately!!!!? Really this was just the exact models that I've been endlessly exhausting myself over with spending a good chunk of hard earned money for once I made up my mind for the one I wanted! I have a copy of the Greenberg's 45-69 7th Edition Lionel bible here and it's book marked between basically the 226, and the 773 and going back and forth with regards to options is a painful process unless you start writing each option down and doing the side-by-side comparison of what you really can live without and what's necessary. I'm not a big time collector...but I guess I can just say I know what I like? And prefer that it's not a pile of crap that some kids have destroyed over the course of decades or left in the attic or basement to rot. Have no problems with doing frame off restorations on the right one if everything else is there and mostly salvageable with some work, so definitely not sacred of a little corrosion, chipping paint or rust on the wheels or connecting rods. Lol I think it's part of the hobby of being a collector of the unusual things in life? I've been a long time vintage Mercury Outboard and racing Outboard collector for most of my adult life and ran my purpose built racing runabouts and hydroplanes! But during the cold long darker winter months, here in the northeast, there's a need for a little warmer hobby which entails you to be in the comfort of your home, rather than in a cold garage all the time. I have the F3's diesel/electrics and my father's original New York Centrals that started this obscure obsession with lionels. I have 4 old original mint steamers and dozens upon dozens of different cars. But I've been after the pinnacle of the collector Lionel trains and have been trying to decide whether to go with a 6 wheel drive or a 8 wheeler? Thanks for your video and knowledge about these three I now believe I know what I'm going after? And can now start shortening my "Watching list" on Ebay LMFAO! Thanks so much for your help with this topic. Its greatly appreciated.
Too bad Lionel moved the smoke stack on the castings used for 726 & 736 (and 646,2046 & 2056 too). The 226E has the smoke stack properly positioned directly above the exhaust from the cylinders.
these are the best of the best with the only exception being the Hudson's 700E and the 763E's....a great value would be a 224E that gives a good pop for the buck
Thanks for watching! I do have a 224e and 225e that I did a video about. I also have the Lionel 1990 remake of the 700e, I know it's not the same, but it was affordable. I love the Lionel steamers, both prewar and postwar.
I hate to tell you, but straightening a bent cab roof is very difficult. I've had no luck, I've broken the roof the several times I've tried. They say to use heat, but how much heat is very subjective. I know others have done it successfully, but not me. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Thanks John for the info! Before this video, I didn't realize the mighty postwar Berkshires were based on a prewar equivalent! This was an interesting comparison, and it helped convince me to take the plunge on restoring a 226E for myself: ruclips.net/video/-GsJTXNqx2I/видео.html Maybe someday I'll go for a Berkshire too, but I'm really happy with 226E!
I never saw Lionel or American Flyer growing up down here in Oz. Your models are in terrific condition for their age, built to last as they say. Enjoyed the vid mate, comparisons are very interesting to watch. Thanks for posting. Steve
Thanks for watching.
The trains look really cool lined up like you have them.
Great video. Wish you ran each of them separately so we could see them in action and hear the motors and whistles, also see how smooth they’re able to run at slower speeds.
Thank you! I've occasionally run different trains separately on my "shorts" videos.
I have the early 726 Berkshire and mine is very nice condition as well. I had to have the commutator replaced in mine because it ran hot and noisy even after I cleaned oiled and lubed the engine. After that she runs like a fine swiss watch very quiet and smooth and alot more powerful. She could easily fly off the curves if run too fast even with a load of cars in tow despite the low gearing. It was the best postwar engine ever made because it ran the best and looked the best in my opinion. I had a very nice 226E that I sold for next to nothing because I never ran it much. Now I'm kicking myself. I can't afford one now especially like the one as nice as I had. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it.
Glad you liked the video and thanks for watching! Too bad you got rid of your 226e, it's a great locomotive too.
Well A "BIG Thank You"👏 For clarifying this dilemma I've been struggling with lately!!!!? Really this was just the exact models that I've been endlessly exhausting myself over with spending a good chunk of hard earned money for once I made up my mind for the one I wanted! I have a copy of the Greenberg's 45-69 7th Edition Lionel bible here and it's book marked between basically the 226, and the 773 and going back and forth with regards to options is a painful process unless you start writing each option down and doing the side-by-side comparison of what you really can live without and what's necessary. I'm not a big time collector...but I guess I can just say I know what I like? And prefer that it's not a pile of crap that some kids have destroyed over the course of decades or left in the attic or basement to rot. Have no problems with doing frame off restorations on the right one if everything else is there and mostly salvageable with some work, so definitely not sacred of a little corrosion, chipping paint or rust on the wheels or connecting rods. Lol I think it's part of the hobby of being a collector of the unusual things in life? I've been a long time vintage Mercury Outboard and racing Outboard collector for most of my adult life and ran my purpose built racing runabouts and hydroplanes! But during the cold long darker winter months, here in the northeast, there's a need for a little warmer hobby which entails you to be in the comfort of your home, rather than in a cold garage all the time. I have the F3's diesel/electrics and my father's original New York Centrals that started this obscure obsession with lionels. I have 4 old original mint steamers and dozens upon dozens of different cars. But I've been after the pinnacle of the collector Lionel trains and have been trying to decide whether to go with a 6 wheel drive or a 8 wheeler? Thanks for your video and knowledge about these three I now believe I know what I'm going after? And can now start shortening my "Watching list" on Ebay LMFAO! Thanks so much for your help with this topic. Its greatly appreciated.
Glad I could help, thanks for watching!
@@johnlazar7582 I appreciate your help John. Thanks Again and wish you Good Collecting Sir.
Thanks for sharing this information!.
You're welcome!
Thank you for posting
You're welcome!
Excellent steam engines!
Too bad Lionel moved the smoke stack on the castings used for 726 & 736 (and 646,2046 & 2056 too). The 226E has the smoke stack properly positioned directly above the exhaust from the cylinders.
it has magnatraction too and will pull a nice long train of cars.
these are the best of the best with the only exception being the Hudson's 700E and the 763E's....a great value would be a 224E that gives a good pop for the buck
Thanks for watching! I do have a 224e and 225e that I did a video about. I also have the Lionel 1990 remake of the 700e, I know it's not the same, but it was affordable. I love the Lionel steamers, both prewar and postwar.
Nice engines
Thanks! I have a lot of steamers, but those three are among my favorites!
Have a 226e with cab roof bent on one edge. I guess someone dropped it. How do you recommend straightening that back to original.
I hate to tell you, but straightening a bent cab roof is very difficult. I've had no luck, I've broken the roof the several times I've tried. They say to use heat, but how much heat is very subjective. I know others have done it successfully, but not me. Good luck and thanks for watching.
I just inherited my dad's 226e
That's a wonderful locomotive! I'm sure you will enjoy it! Thanks for watching!
Thanks John for the info! Before this video, I didn't realize the mighty postwar Berkshires were based on a prewar equivalent!
This was an interesting comparison, and it helped convince me to take the plunge on restoring a 226E for myself: ruclips.net/video/-GsJTXNqx2I/видео.html
Maybe someday I'll go for a Berkshire too, but I'm really happy with 226E!
I'm happy that you enjoyed the video and found it informative!
i have a lionel 2026 2-6-2 that uses smoke pellets.