Model Train Journal

Another Streamliner buried in the collection, a late Lionel 1668 manufactured during the run-up to the war:



Part of the O-27 line, the 1668 (manufactured 1939-1941) typically headed sets with 1690/1 passenger cars or 1600-series freights, both of which came over from the Ives catalog and continued by Lionel for O-27.

I received this 1668 in a set (box marked 1174W) that included a single 1630 coach and a 1631 observation. According to Greenberg, the set should have included a 2689W tender, but the one in the box has no whistle. It also has a latch-style coupler, while the coach/observation cars have first generation box couplers. Even weirder, the coach has a silver roof and trim, while the observation has a gray roof and trim. Supposedly set 1174W was manufactured/sold for 1941, the last year the 1668 was produced. I've often heard stories of Lionel and Flyer emptying their warehouses to make sets to sell just before toy train manufacturing ended and war-time production began. Maybe this was one of those.

I remember considering buying one but never did, I just like the looks of regular steam engines more.

Definitely an acquired taste.

I often wonder if there was good technological reasoning behind the shrouding of steam locomotives, or was it more just an exercise in branding. Certainly the 1933-1934 development and manufacture of the UP's M-10000 series and the CB&Q's Pioneer Zephyr was a true technical leap forward, incorporating early generation diesel and distillate engines in streamlined equipment constructed of cutting-edge materials. But did a steam locomotive realize any operational benefit from shrouding? I guess some aerodynamic, possibly.

But did a steam locomotive realize any operational benefit from shrouding? I guess some aerodynamic, possibly.

A little. Kind of like racing stripes on a car. It's supposed to make it go faster

chuck wrote:

But did a steam locomotive realize any operational benefit from shrouding? I guess some aerodynamic, possibly.

A little. Kind of like racing stripes on a car. It's supposed to make it go faster

I agree. The usual given reason was to look more modern like the new streamliners.

Healey,
Very nice model from that period. Has it been reconditioned? Just curious, that doesn't change anything.

rogruth wrote:Healey,
Very nice model from that period. Has it been reconditioned? Just curious, that doesn't change anything.

Roger, other than a polish with some Meguiars Cleaning Wax and general lubrication, nothing has been done to it. This was from a set a neighbor gave me when he found out I was into this stuff. There's a few nicks, but it's generally in pretty nice shape.

I'd like to find a nice 238E, Lionel's 4-4-2 O-gauge prewar version of the Torpedo. They are tough to find, and most are prohibitively expensive if in nice shape.

healey36 wrote:

rogruth wrote:Healey,
Very nice model from that period. Has it been reconditioned? Just curious, that doesn't change anything.

Roger, other than a polish with some Meguiars Cleaning Wax and general lubrication, nothing has been done to it. This was from a set a neighbor gave me when he found out I was into this stuff. There's a few nicks, but it's generally in pretty nice shape.

I'd like to find a nice 238E, Lionel's 4-4-2 O-gauge prewar version of the Torpedo. They are tough to find, and most are prohibitively expensive if in nice shape.

I saw one in Charleston @ 15 years ago and the guy wanted nearly $1000.00. Way too much for me.

That's crazy money. I've seen nice examples for less than $200, much less in fact.

I think the desire to have one has been mitigated by the realization that I have too much stuff already. If I was to stumble onto a nice one at a great price, maybe. Otherwise, I'm pretty much done acquiring more stuff. At this point, I'm just upgrading (acquiring pieces I already have, but in nicer condition, then jettisoning the one I have).

Haven't been to the basement for nearly two years, but that's about to change.