Over the past few months I have been working on trying to find all the variations to the Lionel Loewy Torpedo locomotives in the 027 gauge. Most people think that they are rather common, when in fact they are not. The basic casting was used on three different locos in the 1930's, which are the 1588 Wind Up loco, the 1688/1688E, and the 1668/1668E. The 1588 came with a 1588T 4 wheel tender. The 1688 and 1668 locos whether E designated or or not, typically came with what has been listed as 1689T or 1689W, and can be found in both Gun Metal or Black versions, with type 4 trucks and nickel journals.
Apparently the collectors and publishers of the various catalogs MISSED a unique number with the boxes. I constantly search various auction sites, looking for a version of the 1688's, and came across something that contradicts all the published material. The 1689W tender box is actually found with the markiing "1689W Bronze Gunmetal Gray" on the end tab of the box, which would be correct for the Gun Metal version.
What everyone missed with a BLACK tender, issued with any Black 1668 or 1688 had a different number. The number on the box tabs is shown as "1688W" Black Tender. Below are two photos I pulled to show the actual box tabs, as proof. So if the tender was Gun Metal the number would be 1689W, and the Black tender would be 1688W, both with whistles.
Apparently the collectors and publishers of the various catalogs MISSED a unique number with the boxes. I constantly search various auction sites, looking for a version of the 1688's, and came across something that contradicts all the published material. The 1689W tender box is actually found with the markiing "1689W Bronze Gunmetal Gray" on the end tab of the box, which would be correct for the Gun Metal version.
What everyone missed with a BLACK tender, issued with any Black 1668 or 1688 had a different number. The number on the box tabs is shown as "1688W" Black Tender. Below are two photos I pulled to show the actual box tabs, as proof. So if the tender was Gun Metal the number would be 1689W, and the Black tender would be 1688W, both with whistles.