Lionel Scale Detailed Prewar Steam Switchers
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 201 Steam Switcher
General Information
The Lionel No. 201 0-6-0 Steam Switcher was introduced in 1940 and was issued through 1942. The No. 201 Steam Switcher was based on the Pennsylvania Railroad 0-6-0 Class B-6 Yard Switcher. The No. 201 Steam Switcher followed the No. 701 Full Scale Steam Switcher and the Nos. 227, 228, 230, 231, 232 and 233 Semi-Scale Switchers which were introduced by Lionel in 1939. The No. 201 Steam Switcher was available solely for separate sale and was not included in any cataloged sets. The No. 201 0-6-0 Steam Engine was either paired with the No. 2201B Lionel Lines Slope Back Tender with Bell or the No. 2201T Tender with no Bell.
The No. 201 / 2201B Steam Switcher engine and tender combined measure 15-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 operating front coupler. The engine number is rubber stamped on the sides of the cab under the windows. 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 tender has three leads that plug in to the rear of the cab to provide power to the engine front coupler, the light and bell, and the locomotive E-Unit. The engine and tender have late style operating box couplers and “Magic Electrol” which allows the locomotive to be operated independently from another train running on the same track by use of a No. 168 Controller. Tenders not equipped with a bell are designated as No. 2201T.
Lionel No. 201 Steam Switcher
1. No. 201 / 2201B Lionel Lines 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1940-1942). The locomotive was equipped with the “Magic Electrol” reversing unit and had an operating bell in the tender. When not equipped with a bell, the locomotive was designated as No. 201 / 2201T.
Lionel No. 203 Steam Switcher
General Information
The Lionel No. 203 0-6-0 Steam Switcher was introduced in 1941 and was issued through 1942. The No. 203 Steam Switcher was based on the Pennsylvania Railroad 0-6-0 Class B-6 Yard Switcher. The No. 203 Steam Switcher followed the No. 701 Full Scale Steam Switcher and the Nos. 227, 228, 230, 231, 232 and 233 Semi-Scale Switchers which were introduced by Lionel in 1939. The No. 203 Steam Switcher was available for separate sale or as a component of two freight sets in 1941 and 1942. The No. 203 0-6-0 Steam Engine was either paired with the No. 2203B Lionel Lines Slope Back Tender with Bell or the No. 2203T Tender with no Bell.
The No. 203 / 2203B Steam Switcher engine and tender combined measure 15-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 operating front coupler. The engine number is rubber stamped on the sides of the cab under the windows. 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 tender has two leads that plug in to the rear of the cab to provide power to the engine front coupler and the light and bell. The engine and tender have late style operating box couplers. The locomotive was not equipped with “Magic Electrol”. The locomotive E-Unit operated in the conventional manner. The absence of “Magic Electrol” is the only difference between the No. 201 and the No. 203 Locomotives. Tenders not equipped with a bell are designated as No. 2203T.
Lionel No. 203 Steam Switcher
1. No. 203 / 2203B Lionel Lines 0-6-0 Steam Switcher (1941-1942). The locomotive had a conventional E-Unit reversing unit and had an operating bell in the tender. When not equipped with a bell, the locomotive was designated as No. 203 / 2203T.
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