Posted 7 years ago
roddyq
(122 items)
Good morning everyone,
Pictured here are the 3 front units of the Lionel Santa Fe Diesel locomotive O guage set that began in the late 1940's with the first powered unit #2333.
The Lionel Santa Fe F-3 No. 2343 pictured above was the second issue of this popular diesel engine that was released in 1950. Production would continue for two more years until Lionel issued the No. 2353 in 1953. This version is BLACK plastic that is painted SILVER. The stripes and lettering are applied with a rubber-stamp.
This version has the screens on the roof vents, portholes with lenses, front grab rails, side ladders, electronic couplers on the front ends, and solid rear couplers. This diesel was equipped with Magnetraction, a horn that was operated by a D Cell battery, and a three position directional unit whose control lever was adjustable from underneath the chassis. The dual horizontal worm drive motors powered each axle...and they make a neat "growling" sound when operating! There are three variations:
Variation A: Large GM decal on the sides and convex celluloid porthole covers (1950).
Variation B: Has the smaller BLACK/WHITE GM decal with porthole covers that snap in place (1951-52).
Variation C: This version is produced on a YELLOW body mold and was in production beginning in late 1950 and into 1951.
All of the Lionel F-3’s are designed to work on the larger radius of O Gauge track. When used with O27 Gauge track this diesel will scrape the switch machine housing on the early version of the No. 1122 O27 Switches when passing through the curved turnout. Evidence of scrapes on the fuel tank of these diesels is a sure indication of operation on O27 track.
The difference with O27 track and O guage track is the height of the rails on the O guage are built higher to give more clearance.
Lionel had great success with the red war bonnet paint design making the Santa Fe set popular then and now. I believe this unit is Variation B placing it's production date between 1951-52.
The powered engine, non powered engine ( holds the D battery for the whistle ) and the C unit still have their original factory boxes.
You can add different rolling stock to the set to make a freight set/passenger combination including the silver observation car, dining car, mail car, box cars, etc.
I loved setting up my set up around the Christmas tree every year as we lived in a small house and the train took up much room to be set up on a permanent basis.
Lionel will always be my favorite train as this was the first train I ever received. I have moved into different scales as there is so much offered today.
Oh I so love Trains and what a great piece you have ! Love it , Reminds me of the locomotive that ran behind my house years ago and rattled the windows as it sped past .
Thank you Kurt, Lionel will always be special to me many fond memories from younger years:)
Hi Manikin,
We also lived by the tracks for a few years it was noisy at times lucky for us though the trains didn't rattle our house as we were in town and they didn't speed by.
My father worked for CNR as a brakeman and later on as a conductor. I was lucky in the 60's to get to go on some trips with him even got to stay in the caboose with the workers. Exciting times for a youngster!!
roddyq, I crossed the Country on one from California to Wi with 3 little sisters ,it took several days but it was during a time that there was beautiful scenery before high rises :-) The sleeper was not comfortable either. But a well remembered trip with my parents so a good memory .
Yes nutsabotas6 I had some rides in the engine once in awhile. Another thrill for a youngster!!
Is Lionel still in business? Does Neil Young still own it?
We always seem to be able to remember our train adventures Manikin they were special times when life was much more simpler with very little restrictions or development to take away natures unmolested beauty. I did love those moments!!
Lionel is still going iggy they are more digital and I believe Neil Young is still involved at what level I'm not sure I don't concentrate on their newer trains mostly 50's and 60's and of course pre-war. Lionel came out with a Neil Young special collectors set at one or more times also.
Wow Roddy!!
This is incredible! Original box and all. That's some really great information as well.
The diesels are my favorites Scotty!! My first train set is the #2353 made in 1953 a present for me from my uncle. The #2343 pictured here was left for me by my uncle. Both are very special to me. Thank you for dropping by your comments are always much appreciated.
Scotty, Kurt, Manakin, nutsabotas6, and iggy thank you for the loves and your great comments they bring back fond memories of a wide eyed boy riding on the train both front and back. Loved your story Manikin about your cross country family trip:))
fortapache, TassieDevil, AutoPinback64, Michael, blunderbluss2, racer4four, Kerry, ventraio50, EJW-54, and Jlmam thanks for the loves and dropping by.
What a great collection and background information Roddy! They appear to be in excellent condition, and you wisely kept the boxes that are so important in today's toy collectibles.
Hi Rick, thank you for dropping by, your comments are always much appreciated:) The engine in the 1st photo is missing a small piece of the decal on the nose and besides some very small scratches the pieces have preserved most of their beauty thanks to keeping them stored in their original boxes which as you say also makes them more complete/collectible!!
Newfld, Toy lover, TheGateKeeper, Phil, sanhardin thanking you all for stopping by and sharing the loves always much appreciated.
shareurpassion and johnsmith thanks for dropping by and sharing the loves always much appreciated.
Thank you so much subi450. Tremblay252, Re - In - Vintage for dropping by!