Production:  1965 & 1966

History
The 239 steam engine is one of a series of Scout locomotives used by Lionel as an entry-level 027 locomotive. Collectors and researchers routinely classify any low-priced steamer with an 0-4-0 or 2-4-2 wheel arrangement as a Scout-type locomotive. Most Scout-type locomotives have few quality features, very little power and struggle to even pull a load of three or four light freight cars.

Lionel included the 239 steamer in only two catalogued sets during the postwar era -- sets 11540 and 11550. Interestingly, the 239 steamer is not as common as one might believe. It's somewhat hard to locate -- especially in collector condition -- and one of the few scout locomotives having a die-cast boiler rather than the more common plastic boiler.

Features
The 239 steam locomotive included the following characteristics: die-cast boiler painted black, white lettering, two-position E-unit, liquid smoke unit, a single traction tire, a single metal drive rod on each side and an illuminated headlight with headlight lens.

The 239 was produced with either a 234W whistling tender or a 242T non-whistling tender. The functional 234W whistling tender represented an upgrade compared to the 242T non-whistling tender.

The lettering on the cab was available in either a large or small print version. The larger, bolder version is harder to locate.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Only Known Variation - Shown in the photo above. - All 239's are black with white numbers and a die-cast boiler.