I would love to know what kind of train it is and if it would be possible to buy one like it? Could someone please help me identify the train? I only have one picture taken in 1954. He says it was a Lionel train but I would like to know which one specifically.
Things I notice from the photo that I am 100% sure of:
1. It is O-gauge not O27. You can tell this because the 27 meant that the track made a 27" circle. This is obviously a 32" meaning it is standard O. Another way to tell is that there are five sets of ties on each curved section of track. That fact will eliminate about 1/2 the possibilities of which unit it is.
2. The transformer is not Lionel. That is a standard MARX configuration transformer.
Things I can't tell 100% from the photo but will speculate on.
1. It looks like MARX track also. I am stating this by the height of the ties. Lionel standard track had very tall ties (which helped it achieve its nick name of - High Rail). These don't look so high. But the height of the ties is much harder to judge based off this photo.
2. Notice the huge black printing (I presume it says Santa Fe), that is too close to the red war bonnet paint, too low on the unit, and too bold. Not Lionel Like at all.
3. There are two features on the top of each loco. Some sort of vent. At first I thought they were the normal radiators of an F3 but the spacing is wrong. Nor are they proper for the big dynamic brake radiators of an FT unit. The Lionel #23xx F units did not have roofs that looked like this. My guess is that they are E7s. Lionel did not make any E units in that time period. So I think specifically that they are MARX part #1095. These units were made in both plastic and die cast.
P.S. There appear to be several of the units available on eBay right now. One example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Marx-...285235?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item56648f11b3
They appear to be fairly common, so I think if you wait you can probably find some in excellent condition.