Postwar Lionel 1666 questions

[turbine682]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at photos of a Lionel 1666 (2-6-2)and tender. Appreciate any info.

Questions:

1. Approximately when did Lionel switch to the "roller" type pick-ups on their engines. The engine that I'm looking at appears to have 2 metal contact plates instead of rollers.

2. Ever hear of a 1666T tender? I got an idea of what this tender is, but I cannot find any specific referece to a 1666T. The tender has deck rails, and front and back vertical rails. Labeled "Lionel Lines". Also looks like post-war magentic couplers.

Thanks in advance,
--Ed
Atlanta, Ga.

[Algonquin]

Hi Ed,

Relative to question 2, CTT published an article earlier this year on matching postwar tenders to their engines. I do not have a copy of it in front of me but it should cover the 1666T tender. I have some old Greenberg aticles at home. I will check them and get back to you tonight.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Algonquin]

Hi Ed,

I found a couple information sources on Tenders. Based on the information in Greengerg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1945-1969 Volume I: Motive Power & Rolling Stock (page 16), Lionel's Early Coal Tenders which started in the prewar years and continued into the postwar period are all identified with mold number 1666T-4. The book indicates that Lionel's underframe rubber stamped silver numbering of these in the early years was inconsistent. The book states that 2466 and 6466 tenders with a suffix of "T" or "W" generally indicated models without railing and "WX" examples came with deck railing. Premium tenders 671W, 2020W and 6020W came with railing on the deck and vertical rails at all four coners. The book indicates that Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains Volume VII: Selected Variations, has a detailed discussion of all the variations of these tenders. However, I do not have a copy of it.

The article in CTT on matching tenders is in the September 2001 edition. The article gives some additional details, but no specific discussion of a 1666T tender.

Relative to your first question, I could not find a specific reference to when Lionel started using roller pickups. However, Lionel used roller pickups on its premier Locomotives as early as 1946 on the 726 Berkshire and 671 Turbines. The 1666 steamers made in 1946 and 1947 had the contact shoes as well as it's sucsessor the 2026 which was made from 1948 to 1953. My guess is that Lionel used both throughout the postwar period using roller contacts on its premier engines and shoes on its smaller ones.

I hope this information helps.

Tim Pignatari

[turbine682]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your excellent help! I reviewed the CTT article and came to the conclusion that the tender was originally matched with a turbine. The seller verified that the tender was stamped inside the shell with 1666T-4.

I also appreciate the info regarding contact shoes vs roller pickups.

Happy Holidays and Happy Railroading,
--Ed

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

Pickup rollers date to the very first Lionel O gauge locomotive (no. 700 electric) in 1915. They most likely pre-date that on Standard gauge equipment.

Neil Besougloff
editor, Classic Toy Trains