Lionel Semi-Scale Prewar Steam Locomotives
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 763E Steam Locomotives
General Information
The Lionel No. 763E 4-6-4 New York Central Semi-Scale Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1937 and was issued through 1942. The No. 763E Steam Locomotive was based on the New York Central 1931 J1-e Hudson Locomotive. The No. 763E Locomotive was a semi-scale version of the No. 700E Full Scale Steam Locomotive also introduced by Lionel in 1937. The No. 763E Steam Locomotive was available for separate sale, cataloged as No. 763EW. The No. 763E Steam Locomotive was also included as a component of a number of passenger and freight sets from 1937-1942. The No. 763E Steam Locomotive was paired with a No. 263W Oil Tender in 1937, a No. 2263W Oil Tender in 1938-1940, and a No. 2226W or 2226WX Coal Tender in 1940-1942. The No. 2226WX Tender has a lower coupler height for use with semi-scale cars. All of the tenders were equipped with an operating whistle.
The No. 763E Steam engine and tender combined measure 24-inches in total length. The engine has a diecast body with marker lights, steel handrails, decorative bell, and molded in boiler details. The engine has an operating headlight. The number “No. 763-E” and “Lionel Lines” are stamped on the sides of the cab under the windows. Reversing of the locomotive is accomplished by a conventional E-Unit. The No. 263W and No. 2263W Oil Tenders are made of sheet metal. The No. 263W Tender has an early style non-operating box coupler and aluminum circle “L” plates on the sides of the tender. The No. 2263W Tender is very similar to the No. 263W Tender except that it has an early or late style operating box coupler. In 1940, the journals changed from nickel to black. The No. 2226W Coal Tender has a diecast shell and has steel handrails, molded details, steps on the corners, and a simulated coal pile. The tender has “Lionel Lines” rubber stamped or heat stamped on the sides of the tender. All of the tenders have 6-wheel trucks. This locomotive was made for use on tubular Lionel 072 track.
From 1937 through 1939, the No. 763E Locomotives were all painted gunmetal gray. In 1940, the locomotives were available in either black or gunmetal gray. Black locomotives always came with a No. 2226W Tender. Gunmetal gray locomotives came either with a No. 2263W or a No. 2226W Tender. In 1941 and 1942, the locomotives were all painted black.
Lionel No. 763E Steam Locomotives
1. No. 763E / 263W Lionel Lines Hudson 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray (1937). The tender has an early style operating box coupler and nickel journals.
2. No. 763E / 2263W Lionel Lines Hudson 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray (1938-1939). The tender has an early style operating box coupler and nickel journals.
3. No. 763E / 2263W Lionel Lines Hudson 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray (1940). The tender has a late style operating box coupler and black journals.
4. No. 763E / 2226W Lionel Lines Hudson 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray (1940). The tender has a late style operating box coupler and black journals.
5. No. 763E / 2226W Lionel Lines Hudson 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive in black (1940-1942). The tender has a late style operating box coupler and black journals.
BLACK No. 763E WRAPPED FROM FACTORY
COURTESY OF “THE STANTON COLLECTION”
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