Lionel Diecast “Commodore Vanderbilt” Steam Locomotives
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 289 Steam Locomotives
Lionel No. 289 Steam Locomotives
General Information
The Lionel No. 289E 2-4-2 “Commodore Vanderbilt” Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1936 and was issued through 1937. The No. 289E Locomotive was only included in uncatloged sets during this period. The locomotive was included as a component of one passenger set and three freight sets. The locomotive was loosely based on the New York Central “Commodore Vanderbilt” streamlined steam locomotive used for the Twentieth Century Limited. The No. 289E Steam Locomotive utilized a one piece diecast body.
The locomotive has nickel trim, aluminum plates with the number and “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the engine and a brass or aluminum circle “L” plate on the nose of the engine. The No. 289E Steam Locomotive has an operating headlight, two red plastic marker lights and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit.
The No. 289E Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray was paired with a No. 1689T Tender. The No. 289E Locomotive in black was either paired with a 1588W Tender or a No. 1689W Tender. The 1689T/W Tenders and the No. 1588W Tenders have a square sheet metal body and latch couplers. The tenders have an aluminum “Lionel Lines” plate on the sides and no other trim. The No. 1689T/W Tenders have two four-wheel trucks. The No. 1588W Tender has four wheels. The No. 289E / 1689T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 16-inches in total length.
Lionel No. 289E Steam Locomotives
1. No. 289E / 1689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and an aluminum circle “L” plate on the nose (1936). The No. 1689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a latch coupler.
2. No. 289E / 1588W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1936-1937). The No. 1588W 4-Wheel Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has no journals and a latch coupler.
3. No. 289E / 1689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1936-1937). The No. 1689W Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a hook and slot coupler.
Lionel No. 1689 Steam Locomotives
General Information
The Lionel No. 1689E 2-4-2 “Commodore Vanderbilt” Steam Locomotive was introduced in 1936 and was issued through 1937. The No. 1689E Locomotive was only included in one cataloged passenger set and one cataloged freight set. However, it was included as a component of many uncataloged sets during this period. The locomotive was loosely based on the New York Central “Commodore Vanderbilt” streamlined steam locomotive used for the Twentieth Century Limited. The No. 1689E Steam Locomotive was very similar to the No. 289E Steam Locomotive and utilized a one piece diecast body. The only difference between the two locomotives is that the No. 289E Locomotive was powered by an “O” Gauge motor, whereas the No. 1689E Locomotive utilized a “Lionel Junior” or “027” motor.
The locomotive has nickel trim, aluminum plates with the number and “Lionel Lines” on the sides of the engine and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose of the engine. The No. 1689E Steam Locomotive has an operating headlight, two red plastic marker lights (gray locomotives) and a remotely operated reverse with a lever on the top of the boiler that engages or disengages the reversing unit.
The No. 1689E Steam Locomotive was typically paired with a No. 1689T/W Tender. However, the locomotive was also paired with a No. 1588T/W Tender in a very few uncataloged sets. The 1689T/W Tenders and the No. 1588T/W Tenders have a square sheet metal body and latch couplers. The tenders have an aluminum “Lionel Lines” plate on the sides and no other trim. The No. 1689T/W Tenders have two four-wheel trucks. The No. 1588T/W Tenders have four wheels. The No. 1689E / 1689T/W Steam engine and tender combined measure 16-inches in total length.
Lionel No. 1689E Steam Locomotives
1. No. 1689E / 1689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1936). The No. 1689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a latch coupler.
2. No. 1689E / 1689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1936). The No. 1689T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a latch coupler.
3. No. 1689E / 1588T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in gunmetal gray with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1936). The No. 1588T Tender is gunmetal gray with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has no journals and a latch coupler.
4. No. 1689E / 1689W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1937). The No. 1689T Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a latch coupler.
5. No. 1689E / 1689T 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1937). The No. 1689T Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has nickel journals and a latch coupler.
6. No. 1689E / 1588W 2-4-2 Steam Locomotive in black with nickel trim, aluminum plates on the sides of the body and a brass circle “L” plate on the nose (1937). The No. 1588W Tender is black with nickel plates on the sides of the tender. The tender has no journals and a latch coupler.
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