Product Overview
Condition: 8 Original Box: 8+ Year: 1957
Here's an extremely hard-to-find 2018 Prairie steam locomotive set from the late 1950's with three red lettered passenger cars. Reportedly, Lionel only produced about 4,500 of these sets and are now rather rare to locate in complete, collectable condition. Interestingly, this set is also noted for being the final postwar Lionel set to have a steam locomotive leading a set of streamlined passenger cars. All future postwar passenger sets would have an Alco locomotive as the choice of power by Lionel.
This set appears to be an original set and not a put-together set as all of the component boxes and individual items are in very comparable condition. As you review the 25 photos above -- as well as the information below -- you'll see all components are from early 1957, with some left-over 1956 paperwork. And best of all, the set is in fantastic condition and includes many of the original extras that are usually missing from complete boxed sets.
Regarding the condition of the steamer and passenger cars, everything looks beautiful and easily graded at a 7++, with many items closer to condition 8 and even 8+! There is no damage to any component and the exterior paint on each train is vibrant, the side lettering is crisp and the numbers and graphics are clean and complete.
Below is a summary of the components of the set:
- The 2018 steam locomotive (condition 8+) and 1130T tender (condition 7++ to 8) include solid and complete original boxes, a jar of original smoke pellets, wooden tamper and tube of lubricant
- The Prairie steamer has been thoroughly cleaned, serviced, tested and operates nice and smooth, pus there is no rust nor oxidation on the steamer nor tender
- All three passenger cars have clean, vibrant exterior colors with crisp side lettering. Additional, each passenger car box is the correct Late Classic variation and complete with all internal and external flaps
- Original postwar Lionel track, including the 6029 remote control track
- The 1015 transformer is functional, has the original cord and includes the somewhat hard-to-find original box, but there is some slight oxidation just beginning on the base of the transformer
- Regarding paperwork in the set, included are the following:
- Original instructions properly dated for this set
- How To Operate Lionel Trains Manual, complete with no missing pages
- Original 1957 Consumer Catalogue -- in near-new condition -- and picturing this set on page 11
- Original 1956 billboards -- mot likely included in an early 1957 production run
Don't miss out on this opportunity to purchase a clean, fully serviced and rare Lionel passenger outfit from 1957. This outfit can easily be the centerpiece of your collection as it represents Lionel final postwar streamlined passenger set with a steam locomotive at the front. The distinction of being the final steam locomotive set is somewhat ironic as the picture in the 1957 consumer catalogue depicts the set going away from the reader and into the sunset!
