Well, you made me get up and grab my dusty 1688E from the display shelf to compare with your torpedo locos. Mine has the open cab without a wall between the cab and the motor. However it has the motor with the straight side rods attached to the wheels with rivets and more detailed wheels and spokes than your number one. It also has "Lionel O27" on the bottom of the motor like your second loco. Mine still has the slot screws for mounting the motor inside the shell and is gun metal as is the tender. There must be a lot of variations. If you look up close to the shell you can see some very tiny imperfections from air bubbles when the shell was cast. Good upload.
That’s amazing! I’m my research over the years I’ve discovered at least 6-8 variations. I have other variations at my parents house as well. I wonder if they rushed to put them together due to the future war effort. Always great hearing from you my friend, hope all is well! 🚂💨
The "bubbles" you mentioned in the casting are actually caused by zinc rot in the zamak composition of these historic locomotives. As long as the shells are covered with a good sealer coat or finish paint, they'll be okay, but if they ever get popped open (where the metal gets exposed to air) it will quickly turn into white powder and later develop cracks around the exposed areas. Many of these same locos suffered from an advanced and irreparable form of zinc rot caused by inferior alloy shells not getting painted right away as they sat surrounded by salty tropical air inside the NY Lionel warehouse during the 1938 New England Hurricane! Lionel probably never cleaned the mostly invisible corrosion from off these shells before they were painted into both colors represented in this video. Therefore the nasty contamination was trapped forever under the paint, however they did last a long time despite these issues. Remember: these exact locomotives were built around the same time The Wizard of Oz was being produced, and later sold to retailers well before the attack on Pearl Harbor ever happened! Seeing younger people restoring and running these classic relics is really great! Keep up the good work!
That was nice seeing all of them together at once. You really know your stuff with the history and details on them! I'm glad the one that got fried was easily repaired. Although quality-wise, I like the one you and your dad refurbished the best, I also really like the one that someone added the PRR logo and number to.
I really like how you have a fleet of them and I look forward to any video that shows the different variations and the changes over time. Keep up the great work.
WOW Nick!!! That was fantastic!! I’m so glad you did this review on your beautiful Prewar Locomotives!! Your history and explanation about all of them was outstanding. Lionel Prewar had some beautiful locomotives, and these sure are some of them. They don’t get as much of the spotlight like their Postwar siblings, but this was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed how you put in the smoke effect scene, that was great timing. And then mentioning how you put back in an OEM E-unit, very cool!! I liked the side by side shots too. Well thought of. Great job. We need to see more of these running on your Monday Runday’s.
This is the video that got me! 2 months ago I had not a single prewar Lionel locos and now 4 the 1668 1688e 1688e custom polished and a 1689e commodore. Got them all running great and with qd cleaner and wd40. Is it me or are the older 1688’s and 1689e’s have a tremendous amount of power and will throw themselves off the track half power with no problem ofcourse running waaaaay too fast at that point but wow I am just amazed at the power and how smooth they run even at low speeds. As more run time goes on they get even smoother it’s so amazing. I’ll have to show you my basic layout. It was a $40 offer up find. It was a prewar table with track 5x9 painted green with a few switches, Marx I believe, and just all rusted up. The guy I got it from thought I was crazy. Now I replaced all the track with prewar Lionel and got the Marx switches working perfectly now! They don’t even trip the e units on the locos. Again I just started all this within the past 2 months. I have the o scale prewar tunnel, the 136 station with train stop, the prewar guard shack with the glowing lantern lit from base, the transformer tin plate mini house and the whistle station. For now. More to come slowly as I can. Great hobby that kept my depression at a “I’m ok” state. Thanks so much for the videos and live run days! Wish you had 2 live run days a week.
Thanks so much for watching! These are definitely some of my favorites of the pre war era! Tomorrow we’ll be running a prewar set at the start of the livestream!
@@NixCrossing awesome!! Yes I watched it live and watching it again for the 3rd time now lol I meant to ask during the live stream if it’s possible and I know it sounds a bit crazy but for looks purposes could I use a zw the 275 watt, and the 439 control board together to run my track and accessories I plan to get in the future? I ask because I love the look of the 439 control board and wanted to see if I could use the potentiometers that are on the 439 to control the speed on two tracks ofcourse mainly powered by the zw but ultimately using the control board and setting the zw to a set speed. Just curious if anyone tried it yet?
Thanks for sharing one of your favorite Lionels. It's the memories that make them special. I wonder if it would jump O27 switches, they have a lower profile. Regardless they're great examples of toy history and fun! Lionel Jr saved the company during the worst years of the Depression.
I watched this once upon a time, but didn't comment. So now I'm rewatching and commenting. I love running Jr. & Sr. Torpedos. Did that engine flame out at 15:50?
I know this is a new comment on an old video, but there’s one more variation you didn’t touch on. The earliest 1688Es have open front windows at the front of the cab, and a molded-in keystone shape just in front of the smoke stack. As I understand, it was causing issues with the casting process and resulting in too many failed castings so the mold was modified with no front cab windows. Further mold refining removed the keystone. I have one of these very early 1936-made locomotives and it’s unknown how many were made in total before the mold was changed, but it’s a very difficult variation to find.
@@kriscarver-seaboyer9204 thank you for sharing this information, looks like I’m on the hunt for another one lol Always something new with these older toy trains. I always found it interesting on all the different motor types as well. Some with pickup shoes / rollers to different E unit placement. Thanks again for watching! 🚂💨
Your 1688 going through the switches shorting out or falling off; I am pretty sure, a bent wheel or axle, or the wheels are to close to the center. However if I recall the way those wheels are made they might not do to well with some pressure to straighten them out. Maybe a wheel puller and and some careful straightening of the axle with it apart can fix it.
I no longer have the epic spark issues on my current layout - I switched over to MTH Real-Trax and all my pre war problems disappeared. Christmas time I used Fast-Track under the tree and my pre war stuff likes to arc weld my track 😂. Thanks for the comment!
@@NixCrossing it's funny how you said that. My MPC 8800 just flew off my layout. Not a scratch just had to put the bulb back in it's socket. 😆 Bullet proof Lionel diecast.
Hello, my name is Paul I was wondering if you could give me as much information about a 1668 e locomotive I was thinking about purchasing but I know nothing about it except I think it was from 1937 to 41. Would just like some information on it if you don't I enjoyed your video thank you very much.
Thanks for watching! Those engines are great runners. They are pre war 37-41 (on or about). They are traditional scale / O27 inspired design on a streamlined PRR K4s. They have a 3 position reverse unit. No smoke unit. They usually sell 50-150. These are meant to run and enjoy
Nix I seen a lionel 027 loco 1668 number at a flea market for sale today. Can you tell me what year it was manufactured and an estimated cost of what it might be worth. Thks in advance Nix😊
Hey! I believe they are all around 1934-1939/40. Usually they go for around $100 in decent condition with tender / whistle tender. Sometimes the full set will go for around $200/$300. Hope this helps
hey so question for the poster of this video. or anyone really. I have a 1688. what's the difference between that and a 1688e in this video. thanks to any answers
That’s a great question! I believe that is just for the design number and some were considered “Lionel Juniors” at the time I think they just used the same plate for most engines.
The casting alloy is sometimes referred to as zamac. Its base metal is zinc.Carly formulations included to much lead which oxidized,when it did the molecule increased in volume. This change created internal stress,unfortunate for many of early diecast locos because with time they would shatter.
Well, you made me get up and grab my dusty 1688E from the display shelf to compare with your torpedo locos. Mine has the open cab without a wall between the cab and the motor. However it has the motor with the straight side rods attached to the wheels with rivets and more detailed wheels and spokes than your number one. It also has "Lionel O27" on the bottom of the motor like your second loco. Mine still has the slot screws for mounting the motor inside the shell and is gun metal as is the tender. There must be a lot of variations. If you look up close to the shell you can see some very tiny imperfections from air bubbles when the shell was cast. Good upload.
That’s amazing! I’m my research over the years I’ve discovered at least 6-8 variations. I have other variations at my parents house as well. I wonder if they rushed to put them together due to the future war effort. Always great hearing from you my friend, hope all is well! 🚂💨
The "bubbles" you mentioned in the casting are actually caused by zinc rot in the zamak composition of these historic locomotives.
As long as the shells are covered with a good sealer coat or finish paint, they'll be okay, but if they ever get popped open (where the metal gets exposed to air) it will quickly turn into white powder and later develop cracks around the exposed areas.
Many of these same locos suffered from an advanced and irreparable form of zinc rot caused by inferior alloy shells not getting painted right away as they sat surrounded by salty tropical air inside the NY Lionel warehouse during the 1938 New England Hurricane!
Lionel probably never cleaned the mostly invisible corrosion from off these shells before they were painted into both colors represented in this video. Therefore the nasty contamination was trapped forever under the paint, however they did last a long time despite these issues.
Remember: these exact locomotives were built around the same time The Wizard of Oz was being produced, and later sold to retailers well before the attack on Pearl Harbor ever happened!
Seeing younger people restoring and running these classic relics is really great! Keep up the good work!
That was nice seeing all of them together at once. You really know your stuff with the history and details on them! I'm glad the one that got fried was easily repaired. Although quality-wise, I like the one you and your dad refurbished the best, I also really like the one that someone added the PRR logo and number to.
Thanks so much! Took me about 20 minutes to swap out reverse units 😀. Love how the older things are so easy to repair.
@@NixCrossing nice! It's like that working on old cars too.
I really like how you have a fleet of them and I look forward to any video that shows the different variations and the changes over time. Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much! 🚂💨
Very nice set of torpedos! I have the 238e & I love it.
Thanks so much! Those are great engines 🚂💨
WOW Nick!!! That was fantastic!! I’m so glad you did this review on your beautiful Prewar Locomotives!! Your history and explanation about all of them was outstanding. Lionel Prewar had some beautiful locomotives, and these sure are some of them. They don’t get as much of the spotlight like their Postwar siblings, but this was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed how you put in the smoke effect scene, that was great timing. And then mentioning how you put back in an OEM E-unit, very cool!! I liked the side by side shots too. Well thought of. Great job. We need to see more of these running on your Monday Runday’s.
Thanks so much 😁 I’ll make sure to put the 1668 on the tracks for this Monday. I have some other cool locos planned as well
interesting collection nix, well done, love those steam horns
This is the video that got me! 2 months ago I had not a single prewar Lionel locos and now 4 the 1668 1688e 1688e custom polished and a 1689e commodore. Got them all running great and with qd cleaner and wd40. Is it me or are the older 1688’s and 1689e’s have a tremendous amount of power and will throw themselves off the track half power with no problem ofcourse running waaaaay too fast at that point but wow I am just amazed at the power and how smooth they run even at low speeds. As more run time goes on they get even smoother it’s so amazing. I’ll have to show you my basic layout. It was a $40 offer up find. It was a prewar table with track 5x9 painted green with a few switches, Marx I believe, and just all rusted up. The guy I got it from thought I was crazy. Now I replaced all the track with prewar Lionel and got the Marx switches working perfectly now! They don’t even trip the e units on the locos. Again I just started all this within the past 2 months. I have the o scale prewar tunnel, the 136 station with train stop, the prewar guard shack with the glowing lantern lit from base, the transformer tin plate mini house and the whistle station. For now. More to come slowly as I can. Great hobby that kept my depression at a “I’m ok” state. Thanks so much for the videos and live run days! Wish you had 2 live run days a week.
Thanks so much for watching! These are definitely some of my favorites of the pre war era! Tomorrow we’ll be running a prewar set at the start of the livestream!
@@NixCrossing awesome!! Yes I watched it live and watching it again for the 3rd time now lol I meant to ask during the live stream if it’s possible and I know it sounds a bit crazy but for looks purposes could I use a zw the 275 watt, and the 439 control board together to run my track and accessories I plan to get in the future? I ask because I love the look of the 439 control board and wanted to see if I could use the potentiometers that are on the 439 to control the speed on two tracks ofcourse mainly powered by the zw but ultimately using the control board and setting the zw to a set speed. Just curious if anyone tried it yet?
Thanks for sharing one of your favorite Lionels. It's the memories that make them special. I wonder if it would jump O27 switches, they have a lower profile. Regardless they're great examples of toy history and fun! Lionel Jr saved the company during the worst years of the Depression.
I’m not sure if they would jump those either. I think they do better on the 0-22 switches. Maybe I could find some old 1930s switches and test it out.
The alloy is called zamak I believe
I’ve heard that before, stuff is extremely fragile
I watched this once upon a time, but didn't comment. So now I'm rewatching and commenting. I love running Jr. & Sr. Torpedos. Did that engine flame out at 15:50?
I know this is a new comment on an old video, but there’s one more variation you didn’t touch on. The earliest 1688Es have open front windows at the front of the cab, and a molded-in keystone shape just in front of the smoke stack. As I understand, it was causing issues with the casting process and resulting in too many failed castings so the mold was modified with no front cab windows. Further mold refining removed the keystone.
I have one of these very early 1936-made locomotives and it’s unknown how many were made in total before the mold was changed, but it’s a very difficult variation to find.
@@kriscarver-seaboyer9204 thank you for sharing this information, looks like I’m on the hunt for another one lol
Always something new with these older toy trains. I always found it interesting on all the different motor types as well. Some with pickup shoes / rollers to different E unit placement. Thanks again for watching! 🚂💨
Your 1688 going through the switches shorting out or falling off; I am pretty sure, a bent wheel or axle, or the wheels are to close to the center. However if I recall the way those wheels are made they might not do to well with some pressure to straighten them out. Maybe a wheel puller and and some careful straightening of the axle with it apart can fix it.
I no longer have the epic spark issues on my current layout - I switched over to MTH Real-Trax and all my pre war problems disappeared. Christmas time I used Fast-Track under the tree and my pre war stuff likes to arc weld my track 😂. Thanks for the comment!
Oh my god you have 14 you are living in a dream
Man these are so cool. I've always wanted one and after your video I'll be searching for one on eBay. Thanks 🚂🚂🚂
I forgot to mention, they are also extremely fast 💨 they are my favorite to run around the Christmas tree on fast track.
@@NixCrossing it's funny how you said that. My MPC 8800 just flew off my layout. Not a scratch just had to put the bulb back in it's socket. 😆 Bullet proof Lionel diecast.
@@cheapbastardmodeltrains7210 oh no! Yeah these old gun metal engines like to shatter when they hit the ground lol 😂
Nice.
Fun, a lot like working on pinball machines 😀
Electro-machanics are the best 👍🏻🚂💨 thanks for watching!
Hello, my name is Paul I was wondering if you could give me as much information about a 1668 e locomotive I was thinking about purchasing but I know nothing about it except I think it was from 1937 to 41. Would just like some information on it if you don't I enjoyed your video thank you very much.
Thanks for watching! Those engines are great runners. They are pre war 37-41 (on or about). They are traditional scale / O27 inspired design on a streamlined PRR K4s. They have a 3 position reverse unit. No smoke unit. They usually sell 50-150. These are meant to run and enjoy
Nix I seen a lionel 027 loco 1668 number at a flea market for sale today.
Can you tell me what year it was manufactured and an estimated cost of what it might be worth.
Thks in advance Nix😊
Hey! I believe they are all around 1934-1939/40. Usually they go for around $100 in decent condition with tender / whistle tender. Sometimes the full set will go for around $200/$300. Hope this helps
good vid
hey so question for the poster of this video. or anyone really. I have a 1688. what's the difference between that and a 1688e in this video. thanks to any answers
That’s a great question! I believe that is just for the design number and some were considered “Lionel Juniors” at the time I think they just used the same plate for most engines.
The E usually referred to the addition of the e-unit for reversing the motor. My 1688e restored beautifully and is still running well.
The casting alloy is sometimes referred to as zamac. Its base metal is zinc.Carly formulations included to much lead which oxidized,when it did the molecule increased in volume. This change created internal stress,unfortunate for many of early diecast locos because with time they would shatter.
Thanks so much for the information on these. Do they have a high lead content? I know lead is “bad”. Just trying to make sure.
In answer to your question I don't remember but it is not high less than one percent if memory serves.
Thanks so much!
Hate the music.
Good thing this isn’t a music video 🤷🏼♂️