The trains look really cool lined up like you have them.

I never saw Lionel or American Flyer growing up down here in Oz. Your models are in terrific condition for their age, built to last as they say. Enjoyed the vid mate, comparisons are very interesting to watch. Thanks for posting. Steve

Great video. Wish you ran each of them separately so we could see them in action and hear the motors and whistles, also see how smooth they’re able to run at slower speeds.

Thank you for posting

I have the early 726 Berkshire and mine is very nice condition as well. I had to have the commutator replaced in mine because it ran hot and noisy even after I cleaned oiled and lubed the engine. After that she runs like a fine swiss watch very quiet and smooth and alot more powerful. She could easily fly off the curves if run too fast even with a load of cars in tow despite the low gearing. It was the best postwar engine ever made because it ran the best and looked the best in my opinion. I had a very nice 226E that I sold for next to nothing because I never ran it much. Now I'm kicking myself. I can't afford one now especially like the one as nice as I had. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it.

Nice engines

these are the best of the best with the only exception being the Hudson's 700E and the 763E's....a great value would be a 224E that gives a good pop for the buck

Thanks for sharing this information!.

I just inherited my dad's 226e

Excellent steam engines!

Well A "BIG Thank You"👏 For clarifying this dilemma I've been struggling with lately!!!!? Really this was just the exact models that I've been endlessly exhausting myself over with spending a good chunk of hard earned money for once I made up my mind for the one I wanted! I have a copy of the Greenberg's 45-69 7th Edition Lionel bible here and it's book marked between basically the 226, and the 773 and going back and forth with regards to options is a painful process unless you start writing each option down and doing the side-by-side comparison of what you really can live without and what's necessary. I'm not a big time collector...but I guess I can just say I know what I like? And prefer that it's not a pile of crap that some kids have destroyed over the course of decades or left in the attic or basement to rot. Have no problems with doing frame off restorations on the right one if everything else is there and mostly salvageable with some work, so definitely not sacred of a little corrosion, chipping paint or rust on the wheels or connecting rods. Lol I think it's part of the hobby of being a collector of the unusual things in life? I've been a long time vintage Mercury Outboard and racing Outboard collector for most of my adult life and ran my purpose built racing runabouts and hydroplanes! But during the cold long darker winter months, here in the northeast, there's a need for a little warmer hobby which entails you to be in the comfort of your home, rather than in a cold garage all the time. I have the F3's diesel/electrics and my father's original New York Centrals that started this obscure obsession with lionels. I have 4 old original mint steamers and dozens upon dozens of different cars. But I've been after the pinnacle of the collector Lionel trains and have been trying to decide whether to go with a 6 wheel drive or a 8 wheeler? Thanks for your video and knowledge about these three I now believe I know what I'm going after? And can now start shortening my "Watching list" on Ebay LMFAO! Thanks so much for your help with this topic. Its greatly appreciated.

it has magnatraction too and will pull a nice long train of cars.

Too bad Lionel moved the smoke stack on the castings used for 726 & 736 (and 646,2046 & 2056 too). The 226E has the smoke stack properly positioned directly above the exhaust from the cylinders.

Have a 226e with cab roof bent on one edge. I guess someone dropped it. How do you recommend straightening that back to original.

Thanks John for the info! Before this video, I didn't realize the mighty postwar Berkshires were based on a prewar equivalent! This was an interesting comparison, and it helped convince me to take the plunge on restoring a 226E for myself: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y62jfbeJs9fcYn0.html Maybe someday I'll go for a Berkshire too, but I'm really happy with 226E!

i have a lionel 2026 2-6-2 that uses smoke pellets.