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Engine search

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  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Arkansas
  • 2 posts
Engine search
Posted by dukebarry on Friday, December 2, 2005 5:51 PM
I found a Lionel train set in my parents attic.My problem is there was no engine with the set. The tender has the number 1689T on the bottom and I would appreciate knowing what engine goes with this set. Maybe I can find an engine if anyone knows the correct engine number. Thanks
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Watkinsville, GA
  • 2,214 posts
Posted by Roger Bielen on Friday, December 2, 2005 6:04 PM
Welcome to the forum .[#welcome][#welcome]

Checking the Lionel ref's that I have I don't find any 1689T, nor 1689, the T would indicate tender with the engine possibly having just the number. The numbers preceeding and following that space are for store sets. Is it a Lionel, or is there any indication it was from a store, i.e. Sears, J.C. Penny, etc..
Roger B.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 6:36 PM
The 1689T tender came with a variety of pre-war O gauge steamers ( 259E's, 289E's, 1688E's, etc.). Given the variety of colors they were painted it's pretty impossible to determine which engine would have been mated to your tender. If you list the type and numbers of the cars in your set that'd narrow down it's original engine type considerably.

Bruce Webster


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 2, 2005 6:48 PM
Another thing I failed to mention is that the 1689T was produced between 1936-1941.

Bruce Webster
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: 15 mi east of Cleveland
  • 2,072 posts
Posted by 1688torpedo on Saturday, December 3, 2005 3:44 PM
Hello Dukebarry! What are the Numbers on your Freight/ Passenger cars? This could help determine which engine came with your Train. The 1688,1689E,1664,258,and 1668 Steam Engines pulled the 1680-90 series Freight & Passenger cars with the litho Graphics and markings on the sides such as Baby Ruth Candy Bars, Shell or Sunoco Gas.and the Cabooses were red with cream windows until 1940 when they were changed to a simulated lithograph wood side. The numbers for the freight cars were 1680(tank car) 1679(Boxcar) 1682(caboose). In 1940 the ones were dropped and the series became the 2679,2680,2682. The numbers for the passenger cars are: 1690,1691,1692. And they were never changed.The 259E that was referenced to pulled Freight / Passenger Cars with Embossed Metal Plates and Rubber Stamping for the Passenger Cars.The 229 also pulled the 600 series cars mentioned above.Hope this helps.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Arkansas
  • 2 posts
Posted by dukebarry on Monday, December 5, 2005 10:30 AM
Many thanks to those of you who responded to my search for the Lionel engine that goes with the #1698T tender. To help further the search I am listing some of the cars that I found with the tender.
#654 Sunco Gas & Oil silver tank car
652 Lionel Lines gondola Orange
655 Lionel Lines boxcar brown roff with yellow sides
608 Observation car Dark green top with light green sides and cream windows
Many Thanks!
David Barry
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: 15 mi east of Cleveland
  • 2,072 posts
Posted by 1688torpedo on Monday, December 5, 2005 9:42 PM
Hello David! This would narrow your search down to one of two engines: The #229 or a # 259E as both came with the 1689 tender and pulled # 600 series freight/ passenger cars. Both engines are classified as O Gauge as are the 600 series cars and my guess is them. If you need help finding one of these engines just let us know which of the two you like and take it from there. The other Engines mentioned above in my post such as the 1688,68,64,66 and the #258 are classified as O27 and pulled the 1600 series freight/passenger cars.Take care & Good luck.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.

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