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Question about Lionel 3459

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  • Member since
    August 2015
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Question about Lionel 3459
Posted by tcc1903 on Thursday, August 18, 2016 4:19 PM

Hello to all.

I am in the process of going through my post-war collection and came a cross a 3459 frame with trucks. I found information saying that the 3459 came with coil couplers only. What I have is a 3458 frame with magnetic couplers. Looking at the trucks and base I would suppose it wouldn't be hard to to put magnetic couplertrucks on the frame?? 

Anyway my question is, did any 3459 units get released with magnetic couplers?   I would appreciate any feedback on my question.

Thank you, 

Robert Collins

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 292 posts
Posted by teledoc on Friday, August 19, 2016 4:28 PM

Because you mention that is is only the frame, without a body, it is actually a 3469 with magnetic couplers.. The 3459 was produced 1946-1948, coil couplers.  The 3469 was made in 1951 and renumbered with the "6" to indicate magnetic coupler.

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • 3 posts
Posted by tcc1903 on Friday, August 19, 2016 5:23 PM

Thank you all for taking the time to look at my question.

Teledoc, I am trying to completely understand your reply. The 3469 was produced on the 3459 frame. My frame has 3459 on the casting, so Lionel used old 3459 frames to produce the new 3469, and they put 3469 designation on the new body to differentiate the change. 

Did I get that right? Sometimes i can be a bit dense. Lol.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 292 posts
Posted by teledoc on Saturday, August 20, 2016 11:44 AM

Yes, that is right.  They used the same frame, but by putting on magnetic couplers, they changed the number on the body that was mounted on that frame, to denote the change to magnetic couplers.

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