Hiya Diesler.
Where's those pics of your train sets you promised a long, long, long time ago?
I never forget anything!
TT
You sure don't !
Ok TT i show one of several favorites of mine Lionel 260E. Low production and first Lionel engine to have a sound which was called a "chugger" made between around 1931 and a hand reversing unit which Lionel kinda cheated and bought out the "Ives Train Co simply because they wanted that reverse unit as part of the story goes.
Smoke was not yet invented for the engines. The chugger was only for several years as there were father complaints of the noise they made going around the track back then and Lionel made them in subsequent years minus that feature.This one is all original and runs.
Not shown is a 484 model wheel configuration steam engine 1 year production only made in 1946 sporting the cab number "726" with the bulb smoke
device and with motor called a turbine which sat horizontal and was geared low which has a whine to it hence the turbine name. It runs smooth as butter .
Smoke emitting from the stack first came came out that year in 1946 on their engine numbered "726" which was a special dimple made small light bulb and the tablet was set in the dimple of buld as the train ran around the track that bulb quickly melted the tablet and was synchronized puffing action out the smokeshaft by the drive wheels linkage. At night it looks amazing as the light shines on the ceiling coming out the stack brightly with the smoke billowing
through it.
The following year 1947 Lionel went to a different smoke unit which had nichrome wires wrapped a porcelain piece that heated up similar to the function of a toaster and again melted the tablet when dropped in smokestack.
That same engine was still numbered "726" but the horizontal motor was changed to a vertical placed motor .
The motors even back in the early days are 3 pole motors with carbon replaceable brushes that sit on a commutator held in place by brush holders.
I have 2 of these 726 engines in my collection.
My earliest Lionel 2 engines date to 1918 that came to me in rough condition although in any condition are sought after.
There box cab electrics cab numbered "156"
I always favored the steam engines and do have a few Diesel ones as well.
One day when we move everything will be sold except a few of my rare and favorites and those will be put in glass cases like they deserve.
Nowadays Lionel still makes trains under that name although ownership has changed hands many times some for the good and some for the bad, electronics have improved greatly although so have the prices as there no longer for kids but the adult collectors market mainly with a few exceptions.
I could go on and on but i stop just like with my fig trees.
Here is picture of my Lionel 260E.
