Lionel Streamlined Diesel Locomotives
Lionel No. 1700 Streamlined Locomotives
Lionel No. 616 Streamlined Locomotives
Lionel No. 636 Streamlined Locomotives
Lionel No. 752 Streamlined Locomotives
Lionel No. 616 Streamlined Locomotives
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
General Information
The Lionel No. 616E and No. 616W Streamlined Locomotives were introduced in 1935 and were cataloged through 1941. The only difference between the No. 616E and the No. 616W was that the 616W contained a whistle. The No. 616 Locomotives always included a reverse unit. The No. 616E/W Locomotives headed sets which typically included two No. 617 Streamlined Coaches and a No. 618 Streamlined Observation. Many of the uncataloged sets included only one No. 617 Streamlined Coach. This Streamlined Locomotive was based on the Boston and Maine Railroad “Flying Yankee”. The name “Flying Yankee” was prominently displayed on the nose of the Lionel locomotive. This locomotive was included as a component of many mid-level cataloged prewar sets. Lionel also issued the No. 616E/W Locomotive in many uncataged sets, typically for various department stores.
The No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive measures 11 1/2-inches in length. All have a single headlight and an “E” Unit reverse unit. The No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotives and Streamlined Coaches are actually articulated. The locomotive and cars are connected by a vestibule mounted on a single truck. The vestibules also contain the light that illuminates the cars. The vestibules use a spring-loaded pin that connects the locomotive and car bodies. In the photos below, the locomotives are pictured with a single vestibule attached.
The most significant variation of the No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotives is the use of a chrome versus a painted aluminum finish. Other variations include the color of the cab and cab roof. In addition, the sides of the locomotives, and accompanying coaches, came in either fluted or smooth stampings.
Lionel No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotives
1. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in chrome finish with black cab roof and fluted sides.
2. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in chrome finish with gunmetal gray cab, cab roof and fluted sides.
3. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with black cab roof and smooth sides.
4. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with red cab roof and fluted sides.
5. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with red cab roof and smooth sides.
1. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in chrome finish with black cab roof and fluted sides.
2. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in chrome finish with gunmetal gray cab, cab roof and fluted sides.
3. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with black cab roof and smooth sides.
4. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with red cab roof and fluted sides.
5. No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotive in painted aluminum finish with red cab roof and smooth sides.
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