1665 Lionel Lines

Production: 1946

History
The 1665 steam engine was classified by Lionel as a Switcher steam locomotive. In addition to being sold separately, it was also included in one 027 gauge work train set for 1946 -- set 1407B, consisting of a crane, gondola and work caboose. The 1665 steam switcher shares its boiler casting and tender with the prewar 1662 -- but with updated postwar knuckle couplers and trucks. This switcher also shared its boiler casting with future postwar switchers such as the 1615, 1625 and 1656.

The 1665 bell-ringing steam switcher was only available for a single year -- 1946. With its short production cycle of only a single year -- as well as being the most sought-after of all postwar steam switchers -- the 1665 has become the hardest and most desirable of the four steam switchers produced by Lionel in the postwar era.

The 1665 is a high quality and durability locomotive. With its unique bell-ringing feature, this steamer continues to excite collectors and operators. Since the locomotive is designed to haul only a few cars, it will look great working in any freight yard.

Because of the high center of gravity of these steam switchers, it is quite common to find a switcher with one -- or both -- front marker lights damaged or missing. Additionally, the roof of the cab is often bent or damaged from high-speed derailments near a curve track!

Features
The 1665 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. Lastly, the switcher did not include a functional smoke unit.

The slope-back tender included with this locomotive was always the 2403B. Standard features on the tender include: metal staple-end trucks with an operating coupler and a functional bell located inside the tender shell (the steam switchers never included a functional whistle). There is an on/off switch located underneath the tender which is used to operate the bell. Also included on the tender are two wires protruding from the front. These wires have a banana plug on the end and connect to two terminals inside the switchers cab.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of a 1665 is approximately 9" (front to back) while the total length of the 1665 and 2403B is approximately 15" long (coupler to coupler).

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above - All 1656s are black with a slope-back tender.

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