Help: Train from my youth

[Anonymous]

Hopefully someone here can help me out. When I was young there was a black die cast locomotive in the Lionel catalog that I had always wanted. I think it was around 1987, but I'm not positive. It had a yellow stripe on the side. Does anyone have any catalogs from this era or any info on this train? Whether it be a link, a scan from the catalog or even the name of the train that would be great. Thanks! --Jon

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor is in!!! The engine I think you are talking about was #8615 L&N (louisville & nashville) it was a 2-8-4 Berkshire that was not cataloged. It was a J.C.Penney Christmas 1986 offering. Only 3,000 were made. There is a photo on pg.82 of Greenburg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1970-1990 Vol. 1. That seems to be the only Die-Cast Steamer that fits your info. If I am wrong, it will not be the first nor the last time, Thus I am human. Hope this info helps !
Till My Next Missive I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor !!![}:)]

[Anonymous]

Hmm, thanks, but I'm not sure that's the one. By my info you do mean that's the only train with a yellow stripe? When I think of the train I vaguely remember something relating to New York or Pennsylvania if that's any help. It was a pretty slick and mean looking train! I could be wrong about it being die-cast, but I think I remember noting it back then since the engine I had at the time was plastic.

[Anonymous]

Brown with yellow strips, Pennsey on the side and mean looking?... Sounds like a GG-1
does it resemble this?

[1688torpedo]

Hello Jon! It almost sounds like you're thinking of a O27 Die Cast scout-style steamer with a yellow strip on it and the Nickel Plate name on the Tender which Lionel made in the late 80's. Do not remember the exact number on the Engine.However, It was a 8600 series number. If you want one Give the Trading Post Train Shop in Cleveland,Ohio a call at: 1-216-661-7300 & Ask Jim if he has one on hand.Another place to try would be Charlie Siegal's Train City in Erie,Pa and he has a website as well.He may have what you're looking for. Good Luck. And[#welcome] to the Forum.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I think you might be well served by browsing pictures of trains in a collectors book. That could help narrow it down and at least you could say "it is similar to xxxx". If you can get close we can help alot more.

You might find a few books to browse at your local bookstore or library.

Jim H

[Anonymous]

Richardsushi, it's more like a typical steam engine in appearance and it's black. 1688torpedo, that could could be it, not sure.

I found a pic online that I modified a bit to look somewhat like what I remember to give you folks an idea...



I think the stripe continues to the tender and there are 3 letters on a diagonal
on those curved boxes near the front of the engine down below (not sure what they're called, anyone?) If the train doesn't look familar to anyone here I'll go out and consult a book soon. I may even do that regardless.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far!

[1688torpedo]

Hello Jon! Yes, That is what the Nickel Plate Engines looked like & they were in the catolog in the mid-late 80's. They should not be too hard to find and I think the Trading Post has a Train set with that exact engine in stock. Give them a call & see if they still have it. Take Care.

[Anonymous]

Well, I've ordered 1987 and 1988 Lionel catalogs from Stan Orr's Lionel Train Parts in NY. I'm guessing it's in one of those. If not I'll order '85 or '86. This way I'll have the exact model if I decide I want it. Thanks for the info on the Trading Post! I'll keep them in mind.

[Chris F]

The Nickel Plate 4-4-2 steam loco was #8617, and was part of the Nickel Plate set #1602, available from 1986 to 1991.

[Anonymous]

Wow, detailed info. Thanks Chris! Oh, and if I see the train in the catalogs when they arrive I'll post a scan. It was a very nice looking photo!

[1688torpedo]

Hello Jon! Here is another fellow who may have what you want as he has a quanity of Lionel Trains from the 80s-90s mint in their boxes. His name is Fred Sipple of Erie,Pa & his address is 811 E.43rd St and the Phone# is 1-814-825-8845.Good Luck & let us know what happens.Take Care.

[lionelsoni]

The "curved boxes near the front of the engine down below" are the cylinders and valves.

[Jumijo]

My first Lionel was a Nickel Plate Road steamer, similar in casting to a 2026. It came with a Sound-of-Steam tender. Circa 1972-4. Can anyone give me a lead as to what the loco number would be so I can replace it?

Jim

[1688torpedo]

Hello Jim! The Scout style Nickel Plate you're Looking for would a # 8040 and they had a plastic boiler instead of Die-Cast and they usually had smoke as well.Give the Trading Post a Call & see if they have one in stock. Their # is-1-216-661-7300. It should not be to hard to find. Stewart's Hobbies here in Willoughby has one with a slope back tender if you're interested I can find out how much they want for it. It is in Excellent shape.No Sound of Steam though. Take Care.

[Anonymous]

look here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6028781362&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[Jumijo]

Sorry, Rock Island was the road name. My mistake!!!! [banghead]

I had a die-cast loco (quite heavy for me way back then) with a coffin-style S-o-S tender. ROCK ISLAND road was written in Silver across the tender. At one time, someone had posted the correct loco number on the forum for me, but I've since misplaced that information.

Rock Island set, 1972 - 1974 era. The loco looked like a 2026 boiler type. Die cast with a Sound of Steam coffin style tender.

Jim

[Jumijo]

I think it was an 8142 loco I had. I found an Ebay auction for a Lionel Allegheny set that has all the same pieces mine had, but I'm almost 100% certain mine had the Rock Island tender and not a Chessie tender. Mine had the same blue transformer, Wheeties car, BN gondola. Can't remember for certain the other pieces of rolling stock. The mind is a terrible thing to baste!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-Allegheny-Train-Set-in-original-box-inc-8142-C-O_W0QQitemZ6028522586QQcategoryZ4147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Jim

[Chris F]

Rock Island Express, set 1386 (1973-74):
8304 4-4-2 Atlantic, die-cast body, smoke, headlight, S-o-S, 2-position E-unit, 243-style square-back tender, die-cast or sheet metal trailing truck
NOTE: There were three other 8304 4-4-2 Atlantics from 1973: B&O, C&O, and Pennsylvania.

Set also included:
9125 N&W automobile carrier
9023 MKT flat car
9131 Rio Grand gondola
9015 Reading hopper
9070 Rock Island SP-type caboose

[Chris F]

The Allegheny set #1174 was from 1971. Rolling stock was as described in the Ebay listing.

Next?[;)]

[Jumijo]

I must have had the C&O Allegheny set and remember it as Rock Island for some reason.

Thanks, guys.

Jim