Lionel Post War 726 Berkshire and 2426W Whistling Tender 1947

Product Title: Lionel Post War 726 Berkshire and 2426W Whistling Tender 1947

Manufacturer: Lionel

Gauge: O

Condition: C-7

Operational Status: This item is fully functional.  Smoke chamber works.

Issues: One nut on the wheel is not original.  Tender is missing a step and rod.

TCA Condition/Grading Standards: C-7: Excellent —All original and may have minute scratches and paint nicks; no rust, no missing parts, and no distortion of components.

TCA Box Grading Standards: No Box

List Price: $ 475.00

Traintiques SKU TQ26-726-315

More Information: 726 Berkshire - Lionel Trains Library

The Berkshire -- modeled after a real-life Boston & Albany locomotive -- was a premium locomotive in the Lionel family. Introduced in 1946 as the 726 Berkshire, this locomotive was essentially an updated version of Lionel's premier prewar 226 steam locomotive. The Berkshire was well received by Lionel enthusiasts and between the 726 -- and it's cousin the 736 -- the Berkshire remained in the Lionel product line for over 20 years! Along with the legendary 773 Hudson and the colorful 746 Norfolk & Western J, many consider the 726 Berkshire and its scale-like 2426W tender among the nicest steam locomotive and tender combinations offered by Lionel in the postwar era.

In 1950, the Berkshire was upgraded to include Magnetraction and received a new number -- 736. Unfortunately, when the Korean War caused various material shortages in many industries in 1952, Lionel was unable to obtain an adequate supply of aluminum and nickel required for Magnetraction. As a result, they were forced to re-introduce the Berkshire without Magnetraction and catalogued it as 726RR. Note that some 726RR Berkshires simply had 726 on the cab. However, those units had more in common with the 736 than the earlier 726.