Old Reliable - Lionel NW2 Switchers After 75 Years
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Lionel Trains returned to EMD for inspiration in 1949 and introduced a model of the EMD 1000 horsepower NW2 switcher, once again lettered for the Santa Fe. These new switchers appeared in both the O gauge line as the number #622, and in the O27 product line as the #6220. Other than the numbers, the models were identical.
For a modeler in 1949, these models were great. They were scale-proportioned, featured diecast frames and wire handrails, three position reverse units, and operating couplers and headlights at each end. The NW2 was also a contemporary model. EMD had been producing the popular NW2 for Americas’s railroads since 1939 and they were still rolling off the assembly line when Lionel’s first models hit the store shelves in late 1949.
Lionel’s early models also featured a mechanical bell that rang automatically as the locomotive moved back and forth around the track. However, with no on-off switch, the bell was not particularly popular with parents - especially with a New Year’s Day hangover and many examples are found today with the bells removed or mutilated beyond repair.
Lionel’s #622 and #6220 NW2 switchers also had a Top Secret feature. While not promoted in the Lionel catalog, these models were the first to receive Lionel’s Magnetraction, testing the feature for full-scale rollout in 1950.
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Awesome video! I have a C&O 624, Seaboard 6250 and a DT&I 8111 Yardmaster set. They are great little engines.
Very nice!
Thanks for the history on the Lionel models. I always found the switchers interesting. I have the 633 single axle drive from my Dad's collection. He had bought that one used sometime in the 60's. I worked at a hobby shop in the late 70's and early 80's. It was during that time I found a stash of the General Models version. If I recall correctly, the owner sold one to me for $45. Along the way, I aquired a mint 622 in the last few years. The oddest find was a dual axle 633. Did some research and found that Lionel did make some two axle drive versions. Definitely not the greates pullers with traction tires.
Thanks for the information!
I have the 623, got it untested at a local model train store for $70, all it needed was a little cleaning and reblubrication, and it is the smoothest running locomotive I have. It runs with no motor noise, coasts a long ways when you cut power, and doesn't get pretty hot after a while like some of my other models. I painted the ornamental bell on it gold because I thought it needed that pop of color, it made the collectors extremely violent, but it made me enjoy the locomotive much more. The original ATSF sticker on the sides are still there and fully intact, and there is no cosmetic damage of any kind. I also have a MPC 8111, it's missing the front coupler, but I added a headlight to it and some clear plastic inside the cab to simulate windows. It has the cheap manual 3 position "gear selector" (that's what I call it) so it's definitely not a locomotive for operation. Runs good so I'm keeping it around.
I recommend one of the early postwar ones for any operators out there, they run amazing, pull a LOT, and look pretty cool.
Also, kinda amazed I found a $150-$300 locomotive for $70, doesn't beat the 2055 set with cars and track for $28 however :)
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
What a fantastic video. I own several NW2s from post war like the Sanra Fe, Mkt and Jersey central. I also own several MPC 8111. Coke and the GM demonstration. And the more recent Navy.
Very nice!
I have.
Two of those switches that are the First version of the CO.
Railroad
I always get a kick out of seeing the old Lionel catalog where the artist used black instead of silver to paint the Santa Fe F units. I have two Lionel switchers, the Santa Fe 6220 and the 614 Alaska RR with the Dynamic braking system on the hood and Magnatration motor in the front of the unit. I always enjoy your channel.
Thank you very much!
YOU FORGOT THE 1957 602 SWITCHER WITH A HORN i have a 1957 602 switcher with operating horn
Good catch!
I own a 624. Runs as well as the day it was built.
Excellent!
I have an ERIE 610. the thing is a tank
Although I don't collect Lionel, I do like the appealing shape and design of this switcher. I almost bought a blue one (when I had some 3 rail years ago). That and the train master are probably my favorites of Lionel. Instead, I got a collection of vintage 2 rail O scale, one of which was the GMC switcher with the 7 pole motor. Runs good, actually but the brass drive gears are very very worn out. This one also had a HUGE lead weight inside. Thanks for the neat history on the video
Thanks for sharing!
I have the 6220 and 623 both from my grandfather. They are great runners!
Nice!
I have a few NW2s as well as K-Line MP15s. They are all fun switchers, even the bottom of the barrel 600 and 6111.
Indeed!
That photo is from 1949. The showroom layout was unveiled March 7 1949, and while work did commence in the very, very tail end of 1948 the layout would not have been that complete until March of 1949. That photo did appear in the April (I believe) 1949 issue of Model Builder magazine. Having said that, excellent video. I picked up a 623, 1952 version with eleven handrail stancions, at York for a song. Motor was frozen, all four axles seized with rust and corrosion, it was a mess. But after a full restoration, it runs like a champ. Loaned it out for last year's Chrstmas store display railroads, it was accidentally left on for six days nonstop. Those early NW2 are solid performers! Nicknamed that locomotive 'Rustbucket'. as a nod to the condition I got it in.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing!
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Quick question, that switch on the right of the screen in the intro, it looks like an MPC or later O-27 switch by the brown color, but the black top looks a lot like a prewar Flyer O gauge part. Is that a custom build or something Lionel made that I'm not aware of?
An old classic, no doubt about it. And unless I'm mistaken just about every maker of O Gauge models has put out an NW2, or at least something VERY similar!
Thanks Mike!
MTH for sure. Atlas did an SW9, but I am not sure about an NW2.
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks I just checked my 2012 Williams catalog, they did an NW2 as well. Man, do I miss Williams...
OUTSTANDING history of the NW2. Thank You!👍🔥🙏❤️💪🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it
I once passed up a chance to buy a Lionel Alaska NW2, one of my favorite variants of the Lionel NW2. However, the price tag was more than I could afford.
Occasionally when I'm railfanning I'm fortunate enough to be in Jamestown, where ILSX 604 (a TR4) works for a gravel company. TR4s are essentially the same as NW2s, but are (or, in this case, were) cow-and-calf combinations.
Hey Mike. These are great little switchers. I have many different versions of the postwar models, along with some MPC and modern era models. The early postwar models are for sure my favorite versions. They just seem to have that solid build quality and excellent running and pulling characteristics about them and run so much more smoothly while performing excellent switching operations with their superior couplers. They are the epitome of the postwar era models.
Ours is a C&O 624. I'm looking forward to putting it back on the tracks later this year.
Beautiful locomotive.
ZERO mention of the 1959 #614 Alaska switcher with the very unique external air tanks/dynamic brake setup on the long hood.
True, but it is only a cosmetic feature, not affecting performance.
Very informative and enjoyable. I have a 6220 with the bell and it still works! Also have a 6250 Seaboard. Beautifully made and will last forever.
Very cool!
Great video. I have a late postwar UP NW2, MPC MKT NW2, and the Lionchief MKT NW2. All three gave their charms but the Lionchief Plus version is an absolute dream!
Very nice!
The 622 number is prototypical, too. It was used by New York Central and was used for the illustrations in the 1950 catalog.
Good information!
What do you think of the Williams versions of the NW 2s ? Are they cloned Lionel NW 2s ?
Williams NW2s have the details of the Class of '49 but with twin motors, horns and bells. They are very nice!
Very nice! I had the 624 for quite a few years, before selling it and then picking-up a 6250. They were both fine running locomotives. I should have kept the 624. Oh, well. Before EMD gave their entire switcher line the S designation, the S and N prefix referred to their horsepower. The S stood for six hundred and the N stood for nine hundred. A W or C in the designation meant either a welded or cast frame. Either way, they were very good models. An excellent video, as always.
Yes, EMC was going to run out of designations quickly: E for 1800, T for 1200, FT for 1400. One of the first things that EMD fixed after the purchase.
Great video with interesting, useful info; thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
I bought one of those in the MKT livery at the TCA york train show last year. very reliable runner an surprisingly storm for it's size. recently I had installed directional LED lighting and plan on adding a horn at some point
Sounds like a fun project!
I actually started with the emd mpc nw2. Weighed like nothing, had a 2 position e unit with a top lever, but had some headlights.
Wouldn’t been in o gauge without it
The 8770 EMD was my first diesel. I ran it to death. The one in the video is on a 610 chassis.
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks ah, that’s quite a coincidence there
9:29 I HAVE to pause here. First of all... that PAINT SCHEME!! WOW. second where did you find that photo? its not coming up on google. the great miami railroad just keeps turning up results for the FEC. I need more info!
I "found" the Great Miami photos on my hard drive because I am the photographer. ;-) The Great Miami was a switching operation that served the Champion Paper facility in Hamilton, OH (on the Great Miami River) from the late 1980s to early 2000s. The silver scheme was the earliest scheme, replaced by the maroon around 1992 or so. The facility is now the Spooky Nook sports and convention complex and the right of way is a hiking/biking trail. I don't recall the disposition of the silver NW2. #1 was the last piece of rail equipment on the property. A buyer was found, but when CSX tried to lug it away the journals seized and it became a multi ton doorstop. It was scrapped in place just east of the Cleveland Avenue grade crossing. Maroon GP30 #30 still wears GM colors and powers the Cincinnati Dinner Train.
Here's the Great Miami in better days: th-cam.com/video/TuCtEdGyGUc/w-d-xo.html
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks oh wow! I grew up in Pennsylvania, but I had no idea that this railroad ever existed. I swear I'm finding out about new railroads every year. That's so cool! That earl scheme in silver looks like a Terminator style scheme. It's so 80's. Thank you so much. I have never seen models painted in that scheme and probably rightfully so considering the obscurity
I got to ride in the cab of 1 of these engines one times, Lionel's versions are pretty accurate
They can rock and roll!
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Yup you're not wrong about the rock part or the roll
Lionel should never have cheaper the loco it costs $ to replace the omitted details that they daved a few pennies on by deleted them.
A few pennies x 5000 units is a lot of money when you're not making a profit at the time.
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Lionel would spend a $1 to save a 5 cents. Like when he omitted the nose decals on the f3 diesels. You could buy them for a dime and a nickel for postage and he would save 3 cents on every one of them by not putting them on. Price how much a brake wheel cost or a chimney for a caboose. The little detail parts that you can pay for cost more than the car you put them on. Lionel's cheapness reaches out from the grave.
Awesome video!!!! I have 7 MPC NW-2 switchers, 1 LTI NW-2 switcher, and 4 Williams electric trains NW-2 switchers and I love them all!!! Thank you for sharing this Mike!!! You are the Tom McCoumas of the hobby now!!! GOD rest in peace Tom!!
Thanks, but I'm not ready to fill those shoes yet