I picked up a number of motors, shells and assorted parts and am attempting to figure out what I have. I am not familiar with the motor in the attached photos (3). Based on the Lionel tag, I am thinking it is prewar but am not positive and would like to learn what it was used with.
Thanks, swede
It would probably fit a prewar Lionel Commodore Vanderbilt. I am going by the wheels and the overall appearance. But I'd have to verify by comparing it to another motor assembly.
The rims / tires don't look quite right, like someone tried to clean/polish them.
Motor looks like the one used in the early postwar 1654/1655 models, don't remember which.
1654 & 1655 motors have a diecast chassis, and slide shoes mounted to a plastic plate. The wheels are much smaller and do not have rims.
261E.
Rob
Thank you for the responses CW and Rob. I attempted to find photos of the Commodore and 261E motors. I could not locate one for the Commodore but did for the 261. I have (hopefully) attached two photos of the 261 and they are no match for my motor. I also (hopefully) attached one photo of the underside of a Commodore. Based on what is available to look at, I do believe my motor would fit the Commodore. Note the length of the stubs on the rear wheels and the mounting bracket. Unless someone is able to produce different info, I'm comfortable believing the motor goes with a Commodore.
swede
259E.
Thanks Rob. Have attached a photo showing that motor and agree that's it with different wheels. You think Lionel used that motor on multiple models? Wouldn't surprise me.
The motor with the 3 views is a 259E-50 double reduction motor, because of the two gears (double reduction). A motor with just a single gear would be single reduction. The axles should be SLS-77 axles, which are larger than the later motors, and I don't have access to the file for the wheels, but if you log onto Olsen Toy Train Parts website, go to the Library section. After you enter into the Library section, scroll down the page until you find Prewar 0/027 motors, and it should list the right wheels. The motor is Prewar 0 gauge, and fits a 259E locomotive.
The wheels are 249E-19; 249E-20; 249E-21; & 249E-22, that go with that motor.
Thank you for the response and additional information. I'm familiar with the Olsen Library and will look up their info on the 259. The motor I have runs great but unless I can find the components to assemble a 259 as cheaply as the motor was, I'll resell it.
The wheels look wrong for a prewar 259e. If I had to guess I'd say they were postwar replacements for prewar wheels that had swelled beyond their proper gauge.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Becky, The motor is in fact the 259E-50 motor, from 1933-34 time period. The wheels are correct for that motor also, and not replacements. It looks identical to the one shown on Olsen's Toy Train Library, which is where I searched. These early "0" locos have the larger SLS-77 axles, and not the later thin axles, which makes in early 1930's.
Go to the Olsen site, in the Library, and scroll down to the Prewar motors, pick the 259E-50, and it is the same.
I figured out where I got hung up. I was thinking 259/259E locomotive, not 259E motor. I was forgetting that Lionel's numbering system used the number of the first item to use that part as opposed to the number of the item it was being used on in contemporary production.
rrswede Thank you for the response and additional information. I'm familiar with the Olsen Library and will look up their info on the 259. The motor I have runs great but unless I can find the components to assemble a 259 as cheaply as the motor was, I'll resell it. swede
PM me swede, I have been looking for a small wheeled motor
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