PREWAR “O” GAUGE TINPLATE, STEAM LOCOMOTIVE, SMALL DIECAST, No. 224, No. 1666, No. 229, No. 1664



Lionel Small Diecast Steam Locomotives

All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted

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Lionel No. 224 Steam Locomotives
Lionel No. 1666 Steam Locomotives
Lionel No. 229 Steam Locomotives
Lionel No. 1664 Steam Locomotives


Lionel No. 224 Steam Locomotives

General Information

The Lionel No. 224/224E 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1938 and was issued through 1941. The No. 224 Locomotive was included as a component of a large number of cataloged passenger and freight sets during this period. This locomotive was not used in any uncataloged sets. The No. 224 Steam Locomotive was one of the small steam engines issued by Lionel in the prewar period. The locomotive has a one piece diecast boiler and cab. The pilot and steam chest are a separate diecast piece. The No. 224 Locomotive shares the same diecast body casting with the No. 229, No. 1666 and No. 1664 Steam Locomotives.

The No. 224 Locomotive has nickel trim, wire handrails and an “O” Gauge six drive wheel motor with Baldwin Disc drive wheels. The locomotive has an operating headlight and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit. The number is on an aluminum plate below the cab windows.

The No. 224 Steam Locomotive was paired with a No. 2689T/W or No. 2224T/W Tender. The No. 2689T/W Tenders have a square sheet metal body with an early or late style operating box coupler. The tenders have aluminum “Lionel Lines” plates on the sides and no other trim. The No. 2224T/W Coal Tenders have a black diecast body with wire handrails on the deck and corners and front and rear steps. The tender has “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides. Some late No. 2224T/W Tenders came with a plastic body in lieu of diecast and no steps in the corners. The tenders have black journals and an early or late style operating box coupler. The No. 224 / 2224T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 20-inches in total length.


Lionel No. 224 Steam Locomotives

1. No. 224E / 2689W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

2. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The No. 2224W Tender is gunmetal gray with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.

3. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2224W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.

4. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2224W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

5. No. 224 / 2224T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224” number plates on the sides of the cab (1941). The top of the sand dome on the locomotive is smooth with no hatches. The No. 2224T Tender is black with a plastic body and “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals, no corner steps and a late style operating box coupler.


1. No. 224E / 2689W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


2. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The No. 2224W Tender is gunmetal gray with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.


3. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2224W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.


4. No. 224E / 2224W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2224W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


5. No. 224 / 2224T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “224” number plates on the sides of the cab (1941). The top of the sand dome on the locomotive is smooth with no hatches. The No. 2224T Tender is black with a plastic body and “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals, no corner steps and a late style operating box coupler.


Lionel No. 1666 Steam Locomotives

General Information

The Lionel No. 1666/1666E 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1938 and was issued through 1942. The No. 1666 Locomotive was included as a component of a large number of cataloged passenger and freight sets during this period. This locomotive was also used in a number of uncataloged passenger and freight sets, many for Sears. The No. 1666 Steam Locomotive was one of the small steam engines issued by Lionel in the prewar period. The locomotive has a one piece diecast boiler and cab. The pilot and steam chest are a separate diecast piece. The No. 1666 Locomotive shares the same diecast body casting with the No. 224, No. 229 and No. 1664 Steam Locomotives.

The No. 1666 Locomotive has nickel trim, wire handrails and a “027” Gauge six drive wheel motor. The locomotive has an operating headlight and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit. The number is on an aluminum plate or rubber stamped below the cab windows. Some No. 1666 Locomotives used the body of a No. 224 Locomotive that had a screw hole on the top just in front of the cab roof. Due to the different motor mounting configuration of the No. 1666 Locomotive, this screw hole was not used.

The No. 1666 Steam Locomotive was typically paired with a No. 2689T/W or No. 2666T/W Tender. A few uncataloged sets also utilized a No. 1689T/W Tender. The No. 2689T/W Tenders have a square sheet metal body with an early or late style operating box coupler. The tenders have either aluminum “Lionel Lines” plates or “Lionel Lines” rubber stamped on the sides and no other trim. The No. 2666T/W Coal Tenders have a black plastic body with wire handrails on the deck and “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides. The tenders have black journals and a late style operating box coupler. The No. 1666 / 2666T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 19-inches in total length.


Lionel No. 1666 Steam Locomotives

1. No. 1666E / 2689T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

2. No. 1666 / 2689W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The locomotive has an unused screw hole in front of the cab roof. The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.

3. No. 1666 / 2666T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The locomotive has an unused screw hole in front of the cab roof. The No. 2666T Tender is gunmetal gray with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

4. No. 1666 / 2666W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2666W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

5. No. 1666 / 2666T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2666T Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

6. No. 1666 / 2689T/W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber stamped “1666” number on the sides of the cab (1941). The No. 2689T/W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED


1. No. 1666E / 2689T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


2. No. 1666 / 2689W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The locomotive has an unused screw hole in front of the cab roof. The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and an early style operating box coupler.


3. No. 1666 / 2666T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The locomotive has an unused screw hole in front of the cab roof. The No. 2666T Tender is gunmetal gray with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


4. No. 1666 / 2666W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2666W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


5. No. 1666 / 2666T 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1666” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The No. 2666T Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


6. No. 1666 / 2689T/W 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber stamped “1666” number on the sides of the cab (1941). The No. 2689T/W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED


Lionel No. 229 Steam Locomotives

General Information

The Lionel No. 229 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1939 and was issued through 1942. The No. 229 Locomotive was included as a component of many cataloged and uncataloged passenger and freight sets during this period. The No. 229 Steam Locomotive was one of the small steam engines issued by Lionel in the prewar period. The locomotive has a one piece diecast boiler and cab. The pilot and steam chest are a separate diecast piece. The No. 229 Locomotive shares the same diecast body casting with the No. 224, No. 1666 and No. 1664 Steam Locomotives.

The No. 229 Locomotive has nickel trim, wire handrails and an “O” Gauge four drive wheel motor with Baldwin Disc wheels. The locomotive has an operating headlight and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit. Early No. 229 Locomotives have the E-Unit lever located in the middle of the boiler. Late locomotives have the E-Unit lever located in the front of the boiler. The number is either on an aluminum plate or rubber-stamped below the cab windows.

The No. 229 Steam Locomotive was paired with a No. 2689T/W or No. 2666T/W Tender. The No. 2689T/W Tenders have a square sheet metal body with an early or late style operating box coupler. The tenders have either aluminum “Lionel Lines” plates or “Lionel Lines” rubber stamped on the sides and no other trim. The No. 2666T/W Coal Tenders have a black plastic body with wire handrails on the deck and “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides. The tenders have black journals and a late style operating box coupler. The No. 229 / 2689T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 18-inches in total length.


Lionel No. 229 Steam Locomotives

1. No. 229 / 2689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939-1940). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

2. No. 229 / 2689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939-1940). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

3. No. 229 / 2689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689T Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

4. No. 229 / 2666W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “229” on the sides of the cab with open slots on the sides of the numbers (1941-1942). The E-Unit lever is located in the front of the boiler. The No. 2666W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

5. No. 229 / 2666T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “229” on the sides of the cab with no slots (1941-1942). The E-Unit lever is located to the front of the boiler. The No. 2666T Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


1. No. 229 / 2689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939-1940). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


2. No. 229 / 2689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939-1940). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


3. No. 229 / 2689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “229” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689T Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


4. No. 229 / 2666W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “229” on the sides of the cab with open slots on the sides of the numbers (1941-1942). The E-Unit lever is located in the front of the boiler. The No. 2666W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.


5. No. 229 / 2666T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “229” on the sides of the cab with no slots (1941-1942). The E-Unit lever is located to the front of the boiler. The No. 2666T Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.



Lionel No. 1664 Steam Locomotives

General Information

The Lionel No. 1664/1664E 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1938 and was issued through 1942. The No. 1664 Locomotive was included as a component of many cataloged passenger and freight sets during this period. This locomotive was not used in uncatalogued sets. The No. 1664 Steam Locomotive was one of the small steam engines issued by Lionel in the prewar period. The locomotive has a one piece diecast boiler and cab. The pilot and steam chest are a separate diecast piece. The No. 1664 Locomotive shares the same diecast body casting with the No. 224, No. 1666 and No. 229 Steam Locomotives.

The No. 1664 Locomotive has nickel trim, wire handrails and a “027” Gauge four drive wheel motor. The locomotive has an operating headlight and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit. Early No. 1664 Locomotives have the E-Unit lever located in the middle of the boiler. Late locomotives have the E-Unit lever located in the front of the boiler. The number is either on an aluminum plate or rubber-stamped below the cab windows.

The No. 1664 Steam Locomotive was paired with a No. 1689T/W or No. 2666T/W Tender. The No. 1689T/W Tenders have a square sheet metal body with an early or late style manual box coupler. The tenders have either aluminum “Lionel Lines” plates or “Lionel Lines” rubber stamped on the sides and no other trim. The No. 2666T/W Coal Tenders have a black plastic body with wire handrails on the deck and “Lionel Lines” stamped on the sides. The tenders have black journals and a late style operating box coupler. The No. 1664 / 1689T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 18-inches in total length.


Lionel No. 1664 Steam Locomotives

1. No. 1664E / 2689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1664E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.

2. No. 1664E / 1689T/W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1664E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 1689T/W Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style manual box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED

3. No. 1664 / 1689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1664” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 1689T Tender is black with rubber stamped “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style manual box coupler.

4. No. 1664 / 2666T/W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “1664” on the sides of the cab (1942). The E-Unit lever is located to the front of the boiler. The No. 2666T/W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED


1. No. 1664E / 2689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim and aluminum “1664E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1938). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 2689W Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style operating box coupler.


2. No. 1664E / 1689T/W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1664E” number plates on the sides of the cab (1939). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 1689T/W Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and an early style manual box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED


3. No. 1664 / 1689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and aluminum “1664” number plates on the sides of the cab (1940-1941). The E-Unit lever is located in the middle of the boiler. The No. 1689T Tender is black with rubber stamped “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style manual box coupler.


4. No. 1664 / 2666T/W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim and rubber-stamped number “1664” on the sides of the cab (1942). The E-Unit lever is located to the front of the boiler. The No. 2666T/W Tender is black with “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the tender. The tender has black journals and a late style operating box coupler.

PHOTOS NEEDED


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