PREWAR “O” GAUGE TINPLATE, CLASSIC PERIOD, ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES, No. 4, No. 254

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. 4 / 254 Electric Locomotives

Lionel No. 256 Electric Locomotives

Lionel No. 4 / 254 Electric Locomotives

General Information

The Lionel No. 254 Electric Locomotive was introduced in 1924 and was cataloged through 1934. However, this locomotive was likely used in uncataloged sets beyond that date. This 0-4-0 Electric Locomotive was loosely based on the C.M. & St. Paul Bipolar EP-2 electric locomotives. This locomotive was included as a component of many mid-level cataloged prewar sets and examples from cataloged sets are quite common. Lionel also issued the No. 254 Electric in several uncataged or “Special” sets, primarily for Macy’s Department Store. Some of the No. 254 and No. 254E locomotives, particularly those with celluloid inserts, can be difficult to locate.

The No. 254 Electric Locomotive measures 9 1/4-inches in length. All have two headlights located on the roof at the ends of the locomotive. The headlights are directional and are only illuminated corresponding to the direction of travel. The No. 254 locomotive has a manual reverse which is controlled by a lever through the frame. The “Lionel” and “254” plates have black lettering. The No. 254E locomotive has a remotely operated reverse. It also has a lever through the frame that engaged or disengaged the reversing unit. The “Lionel” and “254E” plates typically have red lettering. Later No. 254E locomotives were designated with a rubber stamped “E” on the sides of the locomotive.

In 1928, Lionel introduced the No. 4U electric Locomotive. The No. 4U is basically a No. 254 issued in kit form with a special “Bild-A-Loco” motor that can be removed from the locomotive for stationary use. The No. 4U locomotive was issued in kit form through 1930 and as a fully assembled locomotive through 1931. When sold fully assembled it is referred to as a No. 4. Such locomotives were often issued with uncataloged Macy Sets.

Variations of the No. 254 Electric Locomotives include the evolution of the drive wheels from spoked to disc and the headlights from strap to cast. Other notable variations include body color, painted hatches

and stripes, and the use of celluloid inserts. All of the No. 254 Locomotives have black frames, brass inserts, brass air tanks and nickel leaf springs.

Lionel No. 254 Electric Locomotives

1. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in dark green (1924-1926). Locomotive has an old style pantograph, nickel trim, strap headlights and spoked drive wheels

2. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in mojave (1924-1927). Locomotive has nickel trim, strap headlights and spoked drive wheels.

3. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in olive green (1926). Locomotive has strap headlights and spoked drive wheels.

4. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in olive green (1927-1928). Locomotive has cast headlights and spoked or disc drive wheels.

5. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in mojave (1928-1929). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels

PHOTOS NEEDED

6. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in olive green with maroon hatches and a maroon stripe (1931-1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels.

7. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in olive green with maroon stripe (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has maroon celluloid inserts.

8. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels.

KEN MORGAN PHOTOS

9. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches and an orange stripe (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels.

10. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse.

11. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches and an orange stripe (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse.

12. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches and an orange stripe (1930-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse. This locomotive is different from the previous listing in that the lettering on the plates is black rather than the normal red.

13. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in olive green (1928-1929). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse.

14. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in olive green with maroon hatches and a maroon stripe (1931-1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has an E-unit reverse and a rubber stamped “E” on the sides of the cab.

15. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in olive green with a maroon stripe (1931-1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has maroon celluloid inserts. This locomotive has an E-unit reverse and a rubber stamped “E” on the sides of the cab.

16. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in orange (1931-1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive was often a component of an uncataloged set offered through Macy’s. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse.

17. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in olive green with maroon hatches and a maroon stripe (1931-1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has a pendulum reverse.

18. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in pea green with an orange stripe (1932). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has orange celluloid inserts.

19. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in pea green with orange hatches and an orange stripe (1933-1934). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has an E-unit reverse and a rubber stamped “E” on the sides of the cab.

20. No. 254E Electric Locomotive in pea green with an orange stripe (1933-1934). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. This locomotive has orange celluloid inserts. This locomotive has an E-unit reverse and a rubber stamped “E” on the sides of the cab.

21. No. 4 Electric Locomotive in orange (1928). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. In lieu of “254”, the number plates contained “4”. This is an early version of the “No. 4 BILD-A-LOCO”. This locomotive was often a component of an uncataloged set offered through Macy’s.

KEN MORGAN PHOTOS

22. No. 4 Electric Locomotive in orange (1928-1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. In lieu of “254”, the number plates contained “No. 4 BILD-A-LOCO”. This locomotive was often a component of an uncataloged set offered through Macy’s.

23. No. 4 Electric Locomotive in gray with apple green hatches (1928-31). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. In lieu of “254”, the number plates contained “No. 4 BILD-A-LOCO”. This locomotive was a component of a single uncataloged set typically offered through Macy’s.

24. No. 4 Electric Locomotive in orange (1931). Locomotive has cast headlights and disc drive wheels. In lieu of “254”, the number plates contained “No. 4 BILD-A-LOCO”. This is a late version of the “No. 4 BILD-A-LOCO” that has a slot in the front hood of the locomotive. It is believed that the slot was intended for use with an Ives chassis to accommodate the reverse lever on the Ives motor during the Lionel / Ives Transition Period. A No. 4 Locomotive using an Ives chassis has never been reported. This locomotive was often a component of an uncataloged set offered through Macy’s.

25. Early No. 254E Box – Opens on Top.

26. Early No. 254E Box with Paper End Label.

27. Later No. 254E Box – Opens on End.

28. No. 4 Box

1. No. 254 Electric Locomotive in dark green (1924-1926). Locomotive has an old style pantograph, nickel trim, strap headlights and spoked drive wheels.