1666 Lionel Lines Prairie

Production:  1946 & 1947

History
Lionel classified the 1666 steam engine as a Prairie-type steamer. It is a mid-size locomotive and contains several of Lionel's quality features. It shares its boiler casting with the 224 with the only difference being the 1666 was sold as an 027 gauge steam locomotive while the 224 was categorized by Lionel as an O gauge locomotive. The boiler castings are the same on these steamers as are the internal workings, however the center rail collector assemblies are different with the 1666 having slide shoes and the 224 contains roller pick-ups.

The 1666 was introduced during the first full year of postwar production, 1946. This Prairie steamer is one of a few select items Lionel brought forward from the prewar era into the postwar era. The 1666 and the 224 marked the beginning of an era where Lionel catalogued a Prairie-style steamer in every production year through 1969.

Features
The 1666 locomotive has the following standard features: a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement with a black-painted, die-cast boiler, full complement of detailed driving wheel hardware, nickel-rimmed spoked drive wheels, die-cast trailing truck, three-position E-unit, headlight, wire handrails plus an ornamental bell and decorative whistle.

During its brief two-year production cycle, the handrailings and cab numbers underwent changes. These changes include:

• Handrailings - Early 1946 production included blackened handrailings. Later during the 1946 year, the handrailings were changed to silver.
• Cab Numbers - 1946 production used a metal number plate mounted below the side of each cab window. For 1947, the number was stamped below the cab window.

The tender is usually numbered 2466W; however some 1947 versions are found with a 2466WX. Both tenders contain a whistle.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of a 1666 is approximately 10 1/4" (pilot to drawbar). The length of a 1666 with either the 2466W (or 2466WX) tender combined is approximately 18 3/4" long (cowcatcher to rear coupler).

Mounted Number Board & Blackened Handrailings - This is early 1946 production, probably for only a few months during the year. This version is hard to find.

Mounted Number Board & Silver Handrailings - Shown in first photo above. - This variation was produced from mid-1946 through early 1947.

Stamped Number & Silver Handrailings (Second photo above) - Assumed to be the majority of steamers produced during 1947. It's also the most common of all postwar 1666's.

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