Locomotive Number 1666

http://www.postwarlionel.com/images/1666a.jpg

1666


Lionel classified the 1666 steam engine as a Prairie-type steamer. It is a mid-size locomotive and contains several of Lionel's quality features. It shares its boiler casting with the 224 -- which was sold in O gauge sets. The boiler castings are the same on these steamers as are the internal workings. The only difference being the collector assemblies: the 1666 has slide shoes and the 224 has roller pick-ups.
The 1666 was introduced during the first full year of postwar production, 1946. The Prairie steamer is one of a few select items Lionel brought forward from the prewar era into the postwar era. The 1666 and the 224 marked the beginning of an era where Lionel catalogued a Prairie-style steamer in every production year through 1969.
The 1666 locomotive has the following standard features: a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement with a black-painted, die-cast boiler, full complement of detailed driving
wheel hardware, nickel-rimmed spoked drive wheels, die-cast trailing truck, three-position E-unit, headlight, wire handrails plus an ornamental bell and decorative whistle.
During its brief two-year production cycle, the handrailings and cab numbers underwent changes. These changes include:
Handrailings - Early 1946 production included blackened handrailings. Later during the 1946 year, the handrailings were changed to silver.
Cab Numbers - 1946 production used a metal number plate mounted below the side of each cab window. For 1947, the number was stamped below the cab window.
The tender is usually numbered 2466W; however some 1947 versions are found with a 2466WX. Both tenders contain a whistle. The length of a 1666 is approximately 10 1/4" (pilot to drawbar). The length of a 1666 with either the 2466W (or 2466WX) tender combined is approximately 18 3/4" long (cowcatcher to rear coupler). There were several variations throughout its two year production:
Mounted Number Board & Blackened Handrailings - This is early 1946 production, probably for only a few months during the year. This version is hard to find.
Mounted Number Board & Silver Handrailings - Shown in the photo above. - This variation was produced from mid-1946 through early 1947.
Stamped Number & Silver Handrailings - Assumed to be the majority of steamers produced during 1947. It's also the least common of all postwar 1666's.

Hello everybody!
This is the Lionel Information Hotspot, where every week I will post all the information I can find on a Lionel Corperation item on the blog.  I hope that any collectors who find this find it useful.  Most of the information is from credible sources, the rest is from observations made to my own collection.
Good Luck,
Wonderboy

Item of the Week #1: Lionel's 2243 F-3's

Lionel 2243 Santa Fe F-3 AB combo
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2243
The 2243 Santa Fe F3 AB unit of the mid 1950s is a set of quality F3 diesels produced by Lionel wearing the infamous warbonnet paint scheme of the Santa Fe railroad. The warbonnet paint scheme has become one of the most recognizable paint schemes in all facets of model railroading. The 2243 was always sold as an AB combination. It is also one of a select few postwar Lionel F3's with only a single motor. Nevertheless, even with a single motor and Magnetraction, it is a powerful locomotive. The 2243 is noteworthy as being the only Lionel diesel to be catalogued both as an 027 gauge item (1955 and 1956) and later as an O gauge item (1957) -- without any internal or external changes!
Standard features of the powered A unit include: red and yellow painted areas over an orange shell painted silver or a silver shell, a single motor, Magnetraction, a functional horn that could be powered by either one D cell battery or the track, three-position E-unit, operating front coupler with a non-operating rear coupler, illuminated headlight and number boards, plus dual ornamental horns, rear metal ladder steps and a single Santa Fe decal on the front.
Standard features of the non-powered B unit include: red and yellow painted areas over a silver or silver painted orange shell, front and rear non-operating couplers, plus metal ladder steps at each corner. Note that the 2243 A and B units were only available with closed portholes. When coupled together as an AB unit, the length of these F3s is approximately 26" long (coupler to coupler).
The B unit of the 2243 set is frequently used with the 2383 Santa Fe F3 AA units. Since Lionel did not produce a B unit for the 2383s -- and the 2243 B unit is an exact match to the 2383s -- collectors and operator often used the 2243 B unit with their 2383s.
Raised Ladder Steps on Cab - For the early part of 1955, each side of the cab had a raised ladder step below the cab door. Unfortunately, the paint on the steps had a tendancy to easily wear off. This version - especially with fully painted steps -- is much harder to locate than the later production version.
Flat Ladder Steps on Cab - Shown in the photo above - For the remainder of the 1955 production cycle and continuing through 1957, the Santa Fe was produced with flush molded cab steps. The flush molded steps easily held the paint and the steps are usually in better condition when compared to the earlier versions.