Question about 259e

Hi George,

The one you're looking at does not have a whistle tender. It's hard to tell with ebay; things go for crazy prices sometimes.  BTW  I'm looking for a black 259e as well; but I'm not going to overpay for it.

Per Greenberg's Guide, the one listed looks to be the 1933 (A) version, and has a value listed at $95 Excellent condition.  So take it for what it is, and looking at that offering, it looks to be in very excellent condition.  It comes with a 259T four wheel non whistling tender.  Both in Gloss Black.  So the present bid is about right.

TeleDoc posted:

Per Greenberg's Guide, the one listed looks to be the 1933 (A) version, and has a value listed at $95 Excellent condition.  So take it for what it is, and looking at that offering, it looks to be in very excellent condition.  It comes with a 259T four wheel non whistling tender.  Both in Gloss Black.  So the present bid is about right.

I would call this one nice condition, definitely not 'Excellent' condition.  It is graded C-7, which is high, but typical for eBay grades.  There is one graded C-7 that is Excellent, with boxes for $395. This one has some rust and lots of chips with paint loss.  According to TCA, that's a C-6 (Very Good).  

I understand auctions.  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.  I haven't seen many with the 4 wheel tender, not sure if that means anything.  With 21 bids and a day left to sell, this will easily go for over $110.  The oddity is that some nice ones went last week for 20% less.  I won't bid on this one.  I see a beat up one with a whistle tender that I might buy and restore.  It will probably need a few parts though.

I grant you that grading is subjective by both buyers and sellers.  From what I see with the eBay post you referenced, myself would grade it C-6+.  From Greenberg's book, there are actually eight variations listed, with the earliest one being like the eBay featured one which dates it to 1933 and a 259T four wheel tender.  The next one comes with a 262T eight wheel tender (1934), third variation has misspelled Gauge on bottom collector plate "Guage", fourth & fifth are satin black (Not Gloss Black), #4 with 259T #5 with 261T eight wheel tender. #6 Satin Black, with 1689 or 2689 tender, #7 Gunmetal but same tender combo as #6.  Last version is Flat Black, nickel  trim with 261T tender without journals.

I like working with the 259E's they are easy to restore and  run good, but I try to find the beat up ones in the $25.00 to #30.00 range and make them look good. I have 2 different tenders one I made into a milk car. I haven't found a tender with a whistle yet. I guess if you find one in mint condition it might be worth $135.00 but I think that is the exception.

Thanks Gene!  I dug up your old post on these, where Steve also restored one.  They are all beautiful!  I like these better than the originals.  They are whimsical.

George

Yes everything seemed to be black or gray in the old days. I like to add color to my layout and fixing up the old clunkers brings something back to life that might have gone to the dump.

The one I mentioned sold for $213.  Still not sure what I was missing.  There were very nice Buy it Now options for less. One is available right now for $117 with the same 4 wheel tender, no rust, no paint chips, and just a few scratches.

George

Any idea where I can get a replacement nickel bell for the boiler top?  Is it screwed on or does it have tabs?  

Thanks,

George

Looks like the bell is like a rivet and you press it on. I get most of my parts from Dr. Tinker  dave@drtinkertrains.com   Phone 781-802-5798

PO Box 242, Lexington MA 02420. You can call him, he has always helped me.

Thanks Gene!  I found it now.  The part number is 1015-17.

I ordered one that has a rusty frame and a little rust elsewhere. It has been dropped and has some broken parts to replace.  Seller says it 'works', so that could be good. It has a whistle tender and a small transformer, so I paid a little more. I am thinking about painting the frame black and the boiler piping plate chrome or gold.  I haven't decided on the color for the boiler, cab and tender yet, maybe red or blue. Will post pictures when I get it and will inventory the parts I need.

George 

I paid $30 for mine at a swap meet and $15 for a beat up whistle tender at the local model train shop. I see them going for well under $100 regularly at club meets as well as Ebay.

Here's my 259e restoration: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...nel-259e-restoration

Here is the one I got.

The whistle tender works, but the tender is very rusty.

The lever broke off the e-unit and the domes have been crushed.

The e-unit lever was still in the train and I was able to fashion a screw to reattach it.  After cleaning and lubricating the motor, it works great!

I already have it disassembled and stripped.  I was able to clean the rust off the side rods and the domes have been reshaped to their original form.  The railing also polished very well.  I don't think I will need very many parts, just a bell and a tender drawbar.

George

I went with apple red for the boiler.  I decided to keep the boiler front original, since it looked pretty good and adds nice contrast and is similar to how some of the old steamer fronts were painted.  I also got the domes and smokestack reassembled.  I ordered the bell.

The frame and roof will be black and the boiler side piping plates will be metallic silver.

George

I like that, I haven't thought of painting the boiler front a different color. I might try that on my next restoration. There are a lot of different ways to create a new look with the old 259E's. It's fun to try new color schemes.

I got the engine assembled.  It was a bit of a bear, because I didn't have the technique down.  I ended up nicking it up and needed to touch it up.  I also did not follow the rule of being patient with the painting process, but it came out OK.  

The tender will need to wait until I have parts, and I have a tab repair that I glued with JB Weld, that is drying.

Question, is the e-unit lever supposed to lock the engine in the last direction of travel?  Or, is it supposed to lock the engine in neutral?  It is not working right now that the boiler is on.  It doesn't disengage the e-unit.

Nice job....someone just posted one with a red cow catcher that looked good too.....maybe next time. I wonder how many different 259E's

that have been custom painted are out there. My 3 are posted at the top of this post. Lets see if there are more?????? Should we start a new post to see if there are more????

Gene,

I'll start a new post on that topic.  Let's see if we can find more.

I considered the red cow catcher, but decided against it with the red engine.  I always struggle a little with masking off sections anyway.  If I used my air brush, instead of a spray can, I think I would have better luck.

George