1960 Lionel 244

[trainbrain]

 Hi

I have this  Lionel 2-4-2 engine from a 1960 srarter set.  It runs forward & reverse but no neutral.  Is this right/wrong?  I have a Marx 666 engine that does the same thing but I think this is normal for Marx.

Thanks

[Kooljock1]

This engine came with my first train set: The Western Gift Pak.  It has Forward/Reverse only. 

 Jon

[Train-O]

Hi,

As, Jon said forward and reverse only.

This is classified as a Scout 2-4-2 locomotive by Lionel and even though it has a three numeral designation, which is usually for O gauge, it is actually a 027 designation-starter type.

Another Lionel mystery, especially in the later years.

Ralph  

[krapug1]

During the Post War and MPC era many of Lionel's starter level and even "moderate level" engines came with a 2 position (forward/reverse) e-unit. As an example in the PW era the Alaska Switcher had this as did many, but not all, of the post 1957 alcos. In the MPC era, the 4-4-2 steam engines that headed the early 9500 series passenger sets all had a 2 postion reverse. Some entry level engines had no reverse and they ran forward only. In the MPC era some had a manual reverse, where you could switch between forward and reverse via the reverse lever. The MPC era, DC only engines, were a different case, as the direction control was made from the DC power pack. This all ended with the creation of the electronic reverse unit in the mid-1980's. Besides working better, they are all 3 postion units. Ken