Lionel Semi-Scale Prewar Steam Switchers
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 227 Steam Switcher
Lionel No. 228 Steam Switcher
Lionel No. 230 Steam Switcher
Lionel No. 231 Steam Switcher
Lionel No. 232 Steam Switcher
Lionel No. 233 Steam Switcher
General Information
The Lionel Nos. 227, 228, 230, 231, 232, and 233 0-6-0 Pennsylvania Semi-Scale Steam Switchers were introduced in 1939 and were issued through 1942. The six Semi-Scale Steam Switchers were based on the Pennsylvania Railroad 0-6-0 Class B-6 Yard Switcher. The Switchers were semi-scale versions of the No. 701 Full Scale Steam Switcher also introduced by Lionel in 1939. The No. 227 and No. 228 Steam Switchers were included as components of several cataloged freight sets in 1939 through 1942 and were also available for separate sale. The Nos. 230, 231, 232, and 233 Steam Switchers were available solely for separate sale and were not included in any cataloged sets. The Nos. 227, 228, 230, and 231 Steam Switchers were either paired with a Pennsylvania Slope Back Tender that was equipped with an operating bell or with a similar tender without a bell (ie 2227B or 2227T). The Nos 232 and 233 Steam Switchers were always paired with a Pennsylvania Slope Back Tender that was equipped with an operating bell (ie 2232B).
The six Semi-Scale Steam Switcher engine and tender combined measure 17-inches in total length. The engine has a diecast body with marker lights, steel handrails, decorative bell, and molded in boiler details. The engine has an operating headlight and either an operating or manual front coupler. The Lionel engine number is cast into the front of the boiler. The number “8976” is either rubber stamped or heat stamped on the sides of the cab under the windows for all of the semi-scale switchers. The tender has an operating back-up light that is always on and a bell (when installed) which is controlled by an on/off switch. The tender shell is diecast and has a steel handrail, molded details, and a simulated coal pile.
The differences between the six semi-scale steam switches related to the operation and height of the couplers and the means of reversing the locomotive. The operation of the couplers was either accomplished by a Teledyne unit in the coupler that operated the coupler anywhere on the track by a DC signal from a No. 169 Controller or by use of a conventional RCS Remote Control Track. The height of the couplers was either low or high to accommodate the type of freight cars being pulled by the locomotive. The reversing of the locomotive was either accomplished by a DC signal from a No. 169
Controller, by Magic Electrol which used a DC signal from a No. 168 Controller, or by use of a conventional E-Unit. The No. 168 and No. 169 Controllers allowed the locomotive to be operated independently from other locomotives on the same track. The application of these uncoupling and reversing methods are described for each of the six semi-scale steam switchers, below.
Lionel No. 227 Steam Switcher
1. No. 227 / 2227B/T Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1939-1942). Cataloged as Outfit 902B with bell or Outfit 902 without bell when sold separately. The locomotive was equipped with Teledyne (DC control) couplers that could be operated anywhere on the track by pressing the “Uncouple” button on the No. 169 Controller. Reversing of the locomotive, independently from other locomotives on the same track, is accomplished by pressing the “Reverse” button on the No. 169 Controller. The locomotive has low height early or late style operating box couplers. The barbs were omitted from the front and rear coupler tangs, or the tangs were omitted completely, to facilitate uncoupling.
Lionel No. 228 Steam Switcher
1. No. 228 / 2228B/T Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1939-1942). Cataloged as Outfit 903B with bell or Outfit 903 without bell when sold separately. The locomotive was equipped with Teledyne (DC control) couplers that could be operated anywhere on the track by pressing the “Uncouple” button on the No. 169 Controller. Reversing of the locomotive, independently from other locomotives on the same track, is accomplished by pressing the “Reverse” button on the No. 169 Controller. The locomotive has high height early or late style operating box couplers. The barbs were omitted from the front and rear coupler tangs, or the tangs were omitted completely, to facilitate uncoupling.
Lionel No. 230 Steam Switcher
1. No. 230 / 2230B/T Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1939). Cataloged as Outfit 900B with bell or Outfit 900 without bell. The locomotive was equipped a conventional E-Unit. Uncoupling was accomplished by use of a RCS Remote Control Track Section. The locomotive has low height early or late style box couplers. The front coupler was manual and the rear coupler was operating. The barb was omitted from the front coupler tang, or the tangs were omitted completely, to facilitate uncoupling.
Lionel No. 231 Steam Switcher
1. No. 231 / 2231B/T Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1939). Cataloged as Outfit 901B with bell or Outfit 901 without bell. The locomotive was equipped a conventional E-Unit. Uncoupling was accomplished by use of a RCS Remote Control Track Section. The locomotive has high height early style box couplers. The front coupler was manual and the rear coupler was operating. The tang was omitted from the front coupler tang, or the tang was omitted completely, to facilitate uncoupling.
Lionel No. 232 Steam Switcher
1. No. 232 / 2232B Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1940-1942). Cataloged as Outfit 906B. The locomotive was equipped with “Magic Electrol” (DC Control). Reversing of the locomotive, independently of other locomotives on the same track, is accomplished by pressing the “Train 1” button on the No. 168 Controller. Uncoupling was accomplished by use of a RCS Remote Control Track Section. The locomotive has low height late style operating box couplers. The barb was omitted from the front coupler tang to facilitate uncoupling.
Lionel No. 233 Steam Switcher
1. No. 233 / 2233B Pennsylvania 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1941-1942). Cataloged as Outfit 907B. The locomotive was equipped with “Magic Electrol” (DC Control). Reversing of the locomotive, independently of other locomotives on the same track, is accomplished by pressing the “Train 1” button on the No. 168 Controller. Uncoupling was accomplished by use of a RCS Remote Control Track Section. The locomotive has high height late style operating box couplers. The barb was omitted from the front coupler tang to facilitate uncoupling.
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