Lionel Streamlined Diesel Locomotives
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel Junior No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotives
General Information
The Lionel Junior No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotive was introduced in 1935 and was cataloged through 1937. These locomotives were actually referred to as Power Cars in the Lionel catalogs. The No. 1816 Locomotive is powered by a mechanical or clockwork motor operated by a wind-up key. The motor has a lever that serves as a brake when engaged that protrudes through the roof. The No. 1816 Locomotive headed two sets which included a No. 1817 Streamlined Coach and a No. 1818 Streamlined Observation. This Streamlined Locomotive was likely loosely based on the Gulf, Mobile, & Northern Railroad “Rebel”, but the locomotive was identified solely as “Lionel Lines”.
The No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotive measures 9 1/2-inches in length. The No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotives and Streamlined Coaches are not articulated as the locomotive and cars each have two complete trucks. However, the locomotive and cars have connecting vestibules to give the train a streamlined appearance.
There are two versions of the No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotives. The early version of the locomotive has a battery operated headlight and bell and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose. The later version included an operating whistle in lieu of the headlight and bell and an aluminum circle “L” plate on the nose. The location of the hole for the wind-up up key was moved back in the later version of the locomotive to accommodate the whistle mechanism. The sides of the locomotives, and accompanying coaches, always came in fluted stampings.
Lionel No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotives
1. No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotive in orange and chrome with battery operated headlight and brass circle “L” plate (1935).
2. No. 1816 Streamlined Locomotive in orange and chrome with operating whistle and an aluminum circle “L” plate (1936-1937).
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