original color of this 252 engine

[romiin]

 Is this the original paint on this engine?  what color do you think this might be?

[Terry]

That's TERRA COTTA. Original Lionel color from 1932-34 period. The 252 loco wasn't shown in the catalogs in Terra Cotta. The loco comes with or without a cream stripe along the bottom edge, and can be found with a maroon frame or a matching Terra Cotta frame. Some collectors think the ones with the terra cotta frames were assembled by collectors.

Loco information:
https://train99.com/prewar-0-gauge/lionel-prewar-0-gauge-250-and-252-electic-locomotives-1926-34/

It probably came in a set with two 529 coaches and a 530 observation in matching Terra Cotta with maroon frames. The cars come with either gold (early) or black lettering.

Cars information:
http://www.train99.com/ency/lionel1/pass/l529sra.html

Maybe Jim can confirm the frame colors? My 2000 article shows terra cotta with matching frame and mentions maroon, but yours has a black frame. Two screws can change the cabs so switching is easy.

[romiin]

 Thanks Terry.  I am bidding on this 252, but just wanted to make sure it was terra cotta  That is the color I was looking for.  I was looking for a set 252 engine with 529, 530 cars in terra cotta, but that is like finding a needle in a hay stack.  So I am trying to piece a set together.  I wasn't positive about the color, but was sure someone here would know.  It would be interesting to hear a bit more on the black frame color, if that is stock or not.. Maybe that was changed.  It would be interesting if I get this , to scratch the frame underneath and see if there is any maroon paint there.

[Terry]

Here's a 3 car set with a 248:

https://www.train99.com/forum/index.php?topic=65.0

Normally the 248 locos came with 2 cars and the 252 locos had three.

The black frame is probably original. One of the things you have to remember is these were the bottom of the line trains. Lionel wanted to sell trains, and would have sold it with whatever frames were availible at the time. 

[romiin]

Nice!!.  I see the 248 has a black frame, interesting. I wonder if some came with either black or maroon frames?  Are you reselling that set Terry?  looks premium.

[romiin]

 Here is another one I seen lately on ebay with a black frame..