1940 Lionel Uncat. Set 7003 with 1688 loco and litho cars.

[Terry]

Here's an interesting set. 1940 uncataloged set 7003. It's not a special but more of a non advertised cheap set that was availible to many retailers. This one was sold by Meyer Brothers in Patterson NJ as you can see by the receipt below.

 

The set contains 1688 loco, 1689T tender, 1680 orange Shell tank car, 1879 Baby Ruth boxcar and 1682 Red NYC caboose. There also track, locon and track clips that would have been in an envelope and a 30 watt transformer in a box dated 1940.  Whole shebang for only $5.98 with no sales tax.

Note that both the loco and tender boxes say "Dull Black" on them, and the loco box has an X on it. I don't know what the X signifies.

Here's photos:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pjdog350]

It sure has been well kept. The condition is perfect

[starfire700]

I have questioned for years the meaning of and "X" on pre and postwar boxes, cars and trains. My 90% conclusion is that it simply means "different" from regular production or last years production, or special order uncataloged item. The 2812X is the only late 2800 freight with a low-hood coupler, X on the box only.
2452X PRR gondola is on the car bottom and on the box, truck or brakewheel or steps variation???
1666 locos can have an X inside the cab in different locations, underside of roof or on fire doors, also a variation with the X part of the cab number. I think also on the boxes, but what is the significant change that warrants the X ??
Orange stripe 2338 Mil Rd diesels have an X on the box, this makes sense except wasn't the orange stripe first production, making the later black cab the variation, so it should have the X. I have seen both variations in X boxes.
The tuscan B&O 6468 automobile boxcar has an X on the box, regular production is blue, not sure which was first.
I had a 2353 ATSF F3 diesel box with 2 (XX) after the number on the box.
The 156X early electric has no pony trucks, never had a box for one, not sure if the X is on the box. The 1922 catalog first shows it in set # 169, but no X designation. 1923 does show the maroon 156X, does list it separately and in set 169 with the X designation, so "different" is the reason for this X. The 156X is shown again separate and in set 169 in 1924, but in 1925 appears to have been replaced with the 253.
This rambling list is just the tip of the "X" iceberg, there are many more, but my vote, 90% of the time just means "different".

[Terry]

Regarding the X. It's the search for the difference that makes us collectors.

The X means "There's something different THAT LIONEL NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF."

Keeping track is the important part. The 229 steamer comes with the e-unit in the front or back of the motor, but Lionel didn't care so there aren't any 229X boxes out there.

The 6468X might explain the 2338X. The boxcar was made for a specific set because the catalog showed brown boxcars. Maybe the orange cab locos were only put into one set?

It's fun for me to try to figure these things out.

[starfire700]

Yes "X" could mean destined for a set, but still is in the "different" category, that needs to be kept track of.
For example, the automatic cars 3659 and 3651 come in a smaller box marked with an X when sold in a set (most of the time), because Lionel boxed the 160 bin separately. The 160 bin was included in the regular box for a 3459 or 3461. I think the load, coal or logs, always came with the car.
A quick look at the 1950 catalog is deceiving. The set I looked at, 1475WS a 2046 Hudson freight, has the cars listed as 3461X and 3469X each with load and bin, implying that car, load and bin are boxed together, making them 3461 and 3469, without an X.
You could give yourself a headache trying to figure this stuff out. Next I will be counting rivets on boxcars..........
Pictures to follow, if anyone cares.
The study of "X" deserves its own category / subject.
Next we should tackle "CH 40" and "CH 41" on Prewar production samples. 

[starfire700]

Catalog pictures explaining above

[pjdog350]

A two tone whistle? Don’t believe I’ve ever hear one. Or know they existed?

[Terry]

They all have the two-tone whistle.

Push the whistle button in all the way to sound the whistle then let it out just a hair. It will change the sound. Once you get it going you can go back and forth and it will keep changing. Then your brother will come in and yell at you.

This may only work with postwar transformers that have the drectifier disk.

[pjdog350]

Thanks Terry. I understand now.

I’ll give that a try. I have replaced the rectifiers in both ZW’s. And I gave away both KW’s and the 1033.
The only other transformer I have is a Z4000. I loved it at first but when it failed running two 675’s on the same line I removed it.  I was reaL disappointed with it. It look’s tough but it’s a light weight!