Skip to main content

Lionel offers 2031530 and 2031520.  It looks  like the number board was moved on the engine and the lettering is different on the tender.  What is the correct version and are there any other differences?  I only plan on buying one and I would like it to be prototypical.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Both correct. As built the number board was near the  front and the tender had smaller lettering. Later the number boards were moved to the center, even later the lettering was changed to the larger lettering.

If you search on pictures of 4449 you will see it appear both ways. Currently its in its as built scheme.

Pete

amtrack5899 posted:

Lionel offers 2031530 and 2031520.  It looks  like the number board was moved on the engine and the lettering is different on the tender.  What is the correct version and are there any other differences?  I only plan on buying one and I would like it to be prototypical.

Both versions are prototypically correct, depending on the time frame (era) you are attempting to model. One version is the "as delivered" appearance, with the small "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering high up on the tender, with the train number indicators in the forward position. The other version is the post 1946 after which time the SP changed to the large "bill-board" "SOUTHERN PACIFIC" lettering on the sides of tenders, and the train number indicators were moved halfway back to the mid-point of the shy-line casing.

Thus, both versions are correct, but it depends on which you like best, and what era you are trying to duplicate. 

amtrack5899 posted:

So as seen today it has the small letters on the tender 

Yes, #4449 has carried quite a number of different paint schemes and lettering configurations. Currently, #4449 appears in the "as delivered in 1941" appearance, with the small "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering on the upper tender sides, and the train number indicators in their original, forward & angled position.

For additional clarity, Lionel is offering quite a number of SP 4-8-4  semi-streamlined steam locomotive models in both the "as delivered" appearance and the "post 1946" appearance (especially the VERY rare GS-5 roller bearing equipped numbers 4458 and 4459).

I'll say "very rare!"

Even though Max Gray labeled his box GS-5, I am not at all sure the GS-5 has ever been produced in O Scale before now.  My friend Albert converted a USH GS-4 to roller bearing appearance many decades ago, but that's the only one I am aware of.

Hope Lionel does at least as nice a job as they did on the FEF.  All I had to do to that one was replace the frame, drivers, side rods, and wheelsets.  Even the cylinders and valve gear appear to be scale.  I have not tackled the 4-12-2 yet - should wait and trade it for a GS-3!

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×