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Diesels, Electrics & Small Motorized Units
| This Web Page Last Updated: February 3, 2012 |
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This page contains our current inventory of Postwar Lionel diesels, electrics and some small motorized units. Military motive power is also listed here. RDC Budd Commuter Cars (both motorized & "dummy" units) and Trolleys are listed on our Passenger Cars web page and Ballast Tampers, Burro Cranes, Fire Cars, Gang Cars, Inspection Cars, Maintenance Cars, Tie-Jectors and Track Cleaner Cars are listed on our RR Work Cars web page.
* * * Click on "Yes" in the Photo column to see a picture.
The Diesel Engine was patented in 1892 by a
German engineer -- Dr. Rudolph Diesel. However it took until the 1930's before steam locomotives
started to be replaced by the more powerful diesels. This occurred because diesels could
perform at higher speeds for greater distances without stopping for water along the way
as required by steamers.
Lionel sold many different types of Diesel
Engines in the Postwar era including the very colorful F3s, the powerful FMs (Fairbanks-Morse), the
speedy Alcos (American Locomotive Company), the venerable NW2 Yard Switchers, and the sleek
GP Road Switchers ("Geeps"). Some diesels offered headlights, some had horns, some had bells, and
some had dual motors.
Modernize your railroad with a colorful and powerful
Diesel Engine.
The first working electric rail locomotive was displayed
and demonstrated at the Berlin Exhibition of 1879 by another German engineer - Werner von Siemens. American
railroads perfected this technology to overcome the harsh problems caused by long tunnels built under
cities and through mountains. The exhaust from a steamer threatened the lives of both railroaders and
passengers. The powerful, fast and efficient electric locomotives solved this dilemma and also proved
to be perfect for mining operations.
Lionel sold a limited number of Electric
Locomotives in the Postwar era including the famous Pennsylvania GG1s, the peppy EP5s, and the
attractive 2329 Virginia Rectifier.
Electric Locomotives will bring your railroad up to date.
As with others in the business of transportation,
the railroad industry had to have a system to ensure that goods were sent to the right place AND
they had to have a system to keep track of its own equipment. The railroad yard became instrumental in
accomplishing both goals. Small gas turbine switchers and small Vulcan switchers became work
horses as they jockeyed rolling stock from track to track to keep the railroads moving.
Lionel provided various Motorized Units during the
Postwar era. These specialty items included Gas Turbines and Vulcan Switchers suitable for yard
work and the odd-looking 520 Boxcab Electric which was modeled after a mining locomotive
from Chile.
Motorized units
will help keep your railroad interesting and moving.
* * * Click on "Grade" in the 3rd column heading for an explanation of grading.
Postwar Lionel Diesels, Electrics & Other Motorized Units Catalog # Item Grade Photo Price Description & More Information 42
Picatinny Arsenal
Yard Switcher ======
E+
Un-run
OB
====== Yes
$525
An olive-drab 2-4-2 "PICATINNY ARSENAL" gas turbine from 1957 only that was NEVER USED: has white lettering, black end rails & white side rails plus operating couplers with tab couplers.
Photo of the other side.
The cab has a few light scratches and small scuffs on the cab plus some paint chips on the side rails. That's it for flaws; this all-original unit is very clean with strong lettering -- plus all window struts are intact and there are no screwhole cracks!
Photo of the front.
We "bench" tested the unit and it runs fine!
An "aerial view."
Photo of the box.
Grade 8 original box (tears; creases; store price stickers on one end flap; "aged" look).
Another view of the box.
Has the original insert (box liner) and this box is solid: fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! It is also a very, very hard box to find!
Photo of the box insert.
We have never had an UNUSED Picatinny for sale before! The box is also one of the nicest 42 boxes we have ever had!
Our Archives Page: more about 42 Picatinny Arsenal Switchers.
51 Navy Yard
Switcher E+++/OB
Yes
$295
A superb 2-4-2 "NAVY YARD" Vulcan Switcher from 1956-57: blue with white lettering and operating couplers.
Photo of the other side.
Very clean with crisp lettering! Window struts are intact and there are no cracks anywhere!
A view of the front.
The unit was serviced by us and it runs great!
An "aerial" view.
Has the original instruction sheet (#51-56), dated 6/56.
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Photo of the box.
Grade 8 original "Classic" box (tears; creases; mildly distorted).
Another view of the box.
Has the original insert and this box is solid: fairly clean, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere.
Photo of the box insert.
One of the nicest Navy switchers we have ever had -- and in a very, very strong box!
Our Archives Page: more information on 51 Navy Yard Switchers.
55
PRR
Tie Jector ===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our RR Work Cars Page to read about two boxed PRR Tie Jectors from 1957-61! We have both the earlier version & the later version with the slot behind the motorman!
58
Great Northern
Snowplow ===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our RR Work Cars Page to read about a sharp, boxed Great Northern Rotary Snowplow from 1959-61!
216 Burlington
Alco A Unit E+/OB
Yes
$650
Here's an item we have not had for sale in years: an all-original Burlington diesel from 1958 only!
Photo of the other side.
Has a couple of very small scratches and a couple of very, very small paint chips and that's it for flaws. It is gorgeous: very, very clean with vibrant silver paint, crisp red lettering and nice red striping plus the pilot (apron) is intact with no cracks!
Photo of the front.
Has Magnetraction and an operating headlight.
An "aerial" view.
Has the original instruction sheet #216-55, dated 5/58.
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Photo of the box.
Grade 8+ original box (tears; minor writing; "aged" look).
Another view of the box.
This box is SOLID: clean, complete, square & sturdy -- plus there is no un-original tape anywhere! It is also a very, very difficult box to find!
Photo of the manufacturer's data & identification.
This later-style Alco is the hardest of the 200-series Alcos to find in collector-quality condition. Silver is a very unforgiving color and 99% of the 216s out there are in rough shape. This high-quality, low-mileage, great-running engine is the nicest 216 Burlington we have ever had for sale and it's in a very, very strong box!
520 Boxcab Electric
E++
Yes
$225
A 2-4-0 red & white GE 80-ton electric motorized unit. Version from 1957 with tab coupler.
Photo of the other side.
All original and it has the harder-to-find copper-colored pantograph!
Photo of one end.
A very, very clean unit with minimal flaws! The striping is nice as is all of the lettering -- plus both holding tabs are intact!
Photo of the other end.
The motor in this unit is as good as that used in medium-size diesels and steamers. Hence it runs like a jack rabbit and it can be used to pull a modest consist of freight cars. This one was serviced by us and it runs great!
An "aerial" view.
One of the strangest-looking units sold by Lionel in the postwar era but it is actually a close representation of a boxcab electric sold to the Chile Exploration Company for use in its copper mines and that unit was also numbered 520! The 520 is no longer easy to find in collector-quality condition. Note that Lionel NEVER MADE A BOX for this unit.
2023 Union Pacific
Alco AA Units Power:
E+
Dummy:
E++
Master Carton Alco AAs
Power A Left
Power A Right
Dummy A Right
Dummy A Left
$425
SOLD UP diesels from 1950 only: very colorful yellow & gray paint scheme with red lettering on the cabs and red striping on the gray die-cast frames. Each unit has a headlight and an operating coil coupler in the front. The Power A also has Magnetraction and a functional horn.
Photo of the noses.
The power unit cab has a chip by the left side numberboard and the frame has the common chipping of the red striping. The dummy unit frame also has the common chipping of the red striping. The flaws are minor in scope and do not take away from the beauty of these units as they are both very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and very strong lettering!
Photo of the roofs.
Has the original instruction sheet #2023-77 dated 8/50 (stains).
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Photo of the Master Carton.
Grade 7 original Master Carton.
Another view of the Master Carton.
Box flaws: tears; creases; stains; punctures; missing one of the smaller inserts; "aged" look.
Photo of the top of the box.
This box is solid: fairly clean, square, very sturdy and there is no un-original tape anywhere.
Photo of the manufacturer's data & identification plus the year.
This St. Joe Kraft corrugated box is dated "1950" on the side.
Photo of the box inserts.
One of the nicest yellow 2023 combinations we have ever had! These all-original, low-mileage diesels were serviced and they are ready for your display shelf or layout -- the horn and couplers work plus they light and run great!
2322
Virginian FM Trainmaster
E+++/OB
Yes
$825
A gorgeous Virginian Fairbanks-Morse from 1965-66: version with an unpainted blue mold with painted yellow stripes on the sides.
Photo of the other side.
Has dual motors, Magnetraction, operating horn and a light on each end.
Another view of the FM.
Very, very clean with vibrant paint, crisp lettering & intact decals plus it has the original metal catwalks and hand rails -- and there are no screwhole cracks! The frame is rust free and the interior is all original and very, very clean!
An "aerial" view.
The unit was serviced and it lights and runs great -- even the horn works!
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Has the correct original instruction sheet #2322-10 (dated 6/65).
Photo of the box.
Grade 9 original box (small creases; a couple of small punctures).
Another view of the box.
The box was made by the United Container Co. and the year is indicated by "65" on one side .
Photo of the manufacturer's information and year.
Has the insert (missing one small coupler retaining piece) and it is a SOLID box: very clean, square & sturdy -- and there is no un-original tape anywhere! It is a virtual brick!
Photo of the box insert.
With its twin motors and resulting pulling strength, the eye-catching 2322 is one of the most powerful locomotives made by Lionel in the postwar era. Measuring 16 3/4 inches in length (coupler to coupler), this impressive, very low-mileage & super high-quality Virginian is spectacular -- it has to be one of the nicest ones on the planet!
2356C
Southern
F3 B Unit Ex.
Yes
$325
The Southern F3 "B" unit from 1954-56:
Photo of the other side.
Cab: some paint chips and box rub but nothing major. Chassis: some box rub on the truck sides.
Photo of the roof.
This all-original "add-on" B unit is clean with crisp lettering, sharp striping and the original porthole lenses!
The 2356 Southern ABA combination came in only one catalogued set (outfit #2231 sold in 1954) but both the Southern AAs and the Southern B unit were available as a separate-sale items from 1954-1956. It is the hardest F3 "add-on" B unit to find. In addition, the Southern is the only "B" unit from the entire postwar Lionel F3 series to have the number on the body. Adding a B unit to a pair of AAs always makes the F3 diesels impressive looking! If you have nice 2356 AAs that have been hoping to find their long-lost relative, this piece may be the answer. Can easily be used on your layout once mated to your 2356P & T -- plus its attractive paint scheme will make this unit a nice shelf piece as well.
2360
RESTORED Pennsylvania
GG1 Electric Cab ===>
===>
===>
Have a beat-up 2360 GG1 electric from 1956?
Ever wish that it looked nicer but didn't want the hassle of waiting for someone to restore it?
Click here to go to our Parts Page to read about a
nice, 2360 GG1 electric cab that was professionally repainted and re-striped!
2379C Rio Grande
F3 B Unit E+/OB
Yes
$325
A sharp Denver & Rio Grande "B" unit from 1957-58: yellow with black lettering, black striping plus a silver roof. Has louvered ventilators, closed portholes and a black frame with black trucks.
Photo of the other side.
Minimal flaws! The unit is very clean with nice bright silver on the roof plus nice striping and vibrant paint on the sides.
An "aerial" view.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7 original box (tape; tape residue; scrapes; tears; discoloration; writing; no insert).
Another view of the box.
The box has all of its flaps plus it is square; it will protect the piece in shipping and in storage.
This is the first Rio Grande F3 B Unit we have ever had available for separate sale! Lonesome B units are not easy to find -- especially a 2379C!
2383 Santa Fe
F3 AA Units Power Unit:
VG
Trailer Unit:
VG+ Yes
$395
A set of Santa Fe F3 diesels from 1958-66: These AA units are dressed in the silver and red warbonnet paint scheme with red, yellow and black rubber-stamped detailing stripes. It also has louvered ventilators, closed portholes and black heat-stamped lettering.
Photo of the Power Unit.
Power unit: Magnetraction, twin motors, functional horn, operating headlight and original numberboards.
Photo of the other side of the Power Unit.
The right side of the shell has a melt spot inside (probably caused by a hot wire) resulting in a slight distortion of one of the ventilators; in addition, there are some small paint chips and small scratches on the roof and sides. The shell is fairly clean and the flaws do not really detract from the overall appearance of this unit as the paint is vibrant, the striping is nice and the lettering is crisp. The pilot has a couple of scuff marks but the chassis is fairly clean and there was never any battery damage to the frame or internal components.
Close-up of the right side ventilators.
The engine was serviced by us and it lights & runs great -- even the horn works!
An "aerial" view of the Power Unit.
Photo of the Dummy Unit.
Dummy unit: operating headlight and original numberboards.
Photo of the other side of the Dummy Unit.
The right side of the shell has a 2-inch scratch running along the on the edge of the roof plus there are some small paint chips and small scratches on the roof and sides. The shell is fairly clean and the flaws do not really detract from the overall appearance of this unit as the paint is vibrant, the striping is nice and the lettering is crisp. The pilot has a couple of small scuff marks but the chassis is fairly clean.
An "aerial" view of the Dummy Unit.
Photo of the noses.
The front decals on the dummy unit are a shade lighter than the ones on the power unit -- a common occurrence when Lionel used shells from different lots.
If you ever had a desire for a great-running set of F3 Diesels at a reasonable price, these units should satisfy that need. The units were used but not abused -- and the price is under $400!
With its dual motors and resulting pulling power, the 2383 is one of the most powerful engines made by Lionel in the postwar era. Its attractive paint scheme made it hard for both adults and children to resist when they were introduced!
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