Lionel Classic Period Electric Locomotives
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 250 / 252 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 251 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 253 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 254 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 256 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotives
General Information
The Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotive was introduced in 1927 and was issued through 1932. This 0-4-0 Electric Locomotive was one of three box cab electric locomotives issued by Lionel during the Classic Period. It was not based on any specific actual railroad electric locomotive. The No. 248 was the smallest of the electric locomotives issued by Lionel during the Classic Period. This locomotive was included as a component of many smaller low end or entry level passenger and freight prewar sets. It was also included in a few Special uncataloged sets.
The No. 248 Electric Locomotive measures 7 ¾-inches in length. All have a single headlight located on one end the roof of the locomotive. The No. 248 locomotive has no manual reverse and runs in one direction only. This locomotive was never issued with a remotely operated reverse. The “Lionel” and “248” designation was either embossed on a brass plate insert for early locomotives or rubber stamped on a painted insert for later locomotives.
Variations of the No. 248 Electric Locomotives include the evolution of the drive wheels from spoked to disc, the headlight from strap to cast and the couplers from combination latch to latch. Other notable variations include body color and insert color. All No. 248 Electric Locomotives have a black frame.
Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotives
Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotive Box
1. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in orange (1927). Locomotive has a brass/black insert, strap headlight and spoked drive wheels.
2. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in dark green (1927). Locomotive has a black/brass insert, strap headlight and spoked drive wheels.
3. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in orange (1927-28). Locomotive has a brass/black insert, cast headlight and spoked drive wheels. This locomotive also has a distinctive yellow stripe along the lower edge of the body. The only reported example of this loco was included in a Macy’s freight set.
4. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in orange (1928-1929). Locomotive has a peacock insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels.
5. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in terra cotta (1928-1932). Locomotive has a cream insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels.
6. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in orange (1929). Locomotive has a brass insert with raised lettering, cast headlight and spoked drive wheels.
7. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in olive green (1929-1931). Locomotive has an orange insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels.
8. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in dark green (1930). Locomotive has a maroon insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels.
9. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in red (1930-1932). Locomotive has a cream insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels.
10. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in dark red (1930-1932). Locomotive has a cream insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels. This dark red loco was obtained as part of a Macy’s passenger set.
11. No. 248 Electric Locomotive in terra cotta (1931-32). Locomotive has a cream insert, cast headlight and disc drive wheels. This locomotive is unique in that it has no handrails on the sides of the doors as do all of the other No. 248 Electric Locomotives. In 1932, the body for the No. 248 locomotive modified by removal of the handrails for use with Lionel produced Ives Electric Locomotives Nos. 3260 and 3261. A number of these modified bodies were subsequently used for production of Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotives.
Lionel No. 248 Electric Locomotive Box
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NEXT ?