1941 Sears 8125 Set 229 0-2689TS plus 2800 cars

[Terry]

Larry Murphy posted a 2666TS tender on eBay and we got to messaging. This tender comes with a 229 loco and some 2800 series cars. The S tender has a high coupler for use with the 2800 series cars.

Turns out he also has a similar boxed set:

 

Notice this set has a 0-2689W tender with the box stamped TS. The 2666TS tenders are plastic and do not have whistles. 

 

I've never seen that tender. Here's the tender I've seen:

 

 

That's the lot Larry has listed on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/114635652178

The set has a 229 loco with the number RS in the plate recess. The tender is as shown above.
A green 2812 gondola
A RS 3814 Merchandise car
Another car - this set has a 2815 tanker in orange. I've had with a RS 2814R and with a RS 813 stock.
A 2817 caboose in any of the three variations. Larry's set has the most desirable variation:

 

Neat.

[murph-7]

the set as you see it came out of Chicago..lets assume Sears? what an oddball..I have not seen another in any collection..I`m going to post another oddball set...might need to send those pics to ya Terry..having trouble with resizing..thx for posting these of the 8125 set..LM

[starfire700]

Here is one that I purchased as a set many years ago, but no boxes. Same era, 1940-41, uncataloged. It has a 229 with stamped number in plate depression, 2666TS plastic tender with high-step coupler, no whistle, 2613, 2613, 2614 state green cars.

[Terry]

I like the green set. I sold my green cars, and now regret it. Not enough to buy a set, I just miss them.

I did keep the 229 and the 2666TS tender. Don't really know why as I could easily put one together with parts. I just like authenticity.

[pjdog350]

I love the 229 set. You guys sure have the Lionel factory knowledge. Thanks for sharing.

[Terry]

I got another 2666TS tender a few weeks ago. This new one came with a 1664 with the number RS in the recess for the plates and some 2800 series cars with nickel plates. 2812 in green, 3859, and 2817 red. I didn't realize what this was until I was sorting on Sunday and saw the tender.

Anyway, I just noticed this tender does not have an oval air hole for the whistle:

 

That's with a postwar 6466WX. So I went downsatirs and grabbed mine.  None of my plastic prewar tenders have the air hole:

 

Looking at the bottoms I have a 2666T, a 1666TS, and a the new 2666TS.

 

None of these had whistles in them.  Do any of the prewar plastic tenders have whistle holes? I think all the postwar ones do.