1615 Lionel Lines

Production: 1955 - 1957

History
The 1615 steam engine was classified by Lionel as a Switcher steam locomotive. It is a small steam engine and was available as a separate sale item or in work train sets. It shares its boiler casting with the 1656 steam switcher.

The 1615 was introduced in 1955 after a six-year absence of a steam switcher in the Lionel family. The heavy die-cast locomotive and relatively light tender are an unusual combination. However, since the locomotive is designed to haul only a few cars, it will look great working in any freight yard.

Lionel included the 1615 in only two 027 gauge sets, one in 1955 and a second in 1956. For each set the typical work train freight cars were included; the 6560 crane and 6119 work. For 1955 a 6462 gondola was also included while for 1956 the 6262 wheel car replaced the 6462 gondola.

Features
The 1615 switcher has the following standard features: an 0-4-0 wheel arrangement with detailed driving wheel hardware, black die-cast boiler, three-position E-unit, headlight, wire handrailings plus a front step and an operating front coupler. Although the boiler front has holders for marker lights, the 1615 was never sold with the traditional green or red marker jewels. Lastly, the locomotive never included a functional smoke unit.

A 1615T non-whistling slope-back tender was always included with this locomotive. Standard features of the 1615T include metal bar-end trucks and an operating coupler.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of a 1615 is approximately 9" (front to back) while the length of the 1615 and 1615T tender is approximately 15" long (coupler to coupler).

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above. - All 1615s are black with a 1615T tender.

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