LIONEL 224 2-6-2 LOCOMOTIVE, 2466W OR 2466WX TENDER, 45-46 (A) BLACKENED HANDRAILS, 45

The Lionel Prairie Type 2-6-2-Locomotive No. 224 would be available in 1945 and 1946. This locomotive was also issued under the numbers 224 and 224E during the pre-war period and this pre-war version would head up the first post-war set No. 363W that was only available in 1945 (Variation A).

This engine was equipped with Baldwin nickel-rimmed driving wheels, drive and connecting rods with an eccentric crank, die cast front and rear trucks, handrails, and a detailed cab.

There are three variations:

Variation A: Has blackened metal handrails and the engine has a squared off cab at the rear (pre-war). The No. 2466W tender is fastened to the locomotive by a long blackened or chrome drawbar that fits around a pin located under the cab. The tender has blackened hand rails on the deck and "LIONEL LINES" lettering is colored "WHITE" instead of the more common SILVER that is found on early post-war tenders. The tender has staple-end trucks that have "swirled" or "dished" inside wheels, and brass center rail roller pickups. Late 1945 Production.

Variation B: This variation has a shortened drawbar that connects to the tender. It has the rounded cab floor, chrome hand rails and came with a No. 2466W tender that has chrome rails on the rear deck. The tender trucks were Type 1e or Type 2 trucks that have "swirled" or "dished" inside wheels, brass center rail roller pickups, and an open coil coupler. 1946 Production.

Variation C: Same as Variation B, except came with a Type 3 trucks on the tender, regular wheels, regular center rail pickups, and a closed coil coupler. 1946 Production.

Variation D: Same as Variation B, except came with a 2466T Tender that was only found in Sets: No. 1402, 1405, and 1409. Lionel would subsitute this locomotive for the No. 1666 in some of the above listed sets in 1946.

This could make a great addition to your collection railroad layout or gift for a friend