1654 Lionel Lines Scout

Production:  1946 & 1947

History
The 1654 steam locomotive was one of Lionel's new entry level steamers produced right after World War II. This steamer -- along with the 1655 of the late 1940's -- had a 2-4-2 wheel arrangement and were reserved for beginner or starter sets. Both of these locomotives had few features and could rarely pull more than a three or four car freight train.

Collectors frequently refer to this locomotive as a Scout engine. Although it shares the same 2-4-2 wheel arrangements as Scout engines produced after 1948, Lionel did not begin using the Scout name until the 1948 product line was introduced.

The 1654 was offered in two Lionel sets in each year of production as well as being available as a separate sale item. It contained several nice features -- such as a die-cast boiler, illuminated headlight and three-position E-unit -- which were not included on most entry-level steamers produced by Lionel during the 1950s and 1960s. Like many entry-level locomotives produced by Lionel, there is minimal collector and operator interest in this steam engine.

Features
The 1654 steam locomotive included the following features: 2-4-2 wheel arrangement with a black painted die-cast boiler, silver lettering, three-position E-unit, wire hand railings, a single metal drive rod on each side, illuminated headlight plus an ornamental bell and whistle.

The 1654 was produced with a Lionel Lines sheet metal tender -- either the 1654T non-whistling tender or 1654W whistling tender.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above. - All 1654s have black painted die-cast boilers with silver numbers. It was only offered with either the 1654T or 1654W tender.

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