231 Rock Island

Production: 1961 - 1963

History
The 231 Rock Island Alco A was produced for several years in the early 1960's and frequently appeared in catalogued and uncatalogued sets. It is a reliable and smooth running diesel as the motor on the 231 is considered one of the better versions manufactured by Lionel for the later-series Alco diesels.

The 231 Alco came with an open pilot. Like many of the open pilot Alco's, the pilot is weak and fragile and are frequently found either cracked, broken or completely missing. Locating a 231 with an intact pilot is difficult.

Features
Standard features of the 231 include two-axle Magnetraction, two-position E-unit, headlight plus front & rear dummy couplers.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of this type of Alco is approximately 11 1/2" long (coupler to coupler).

Black with Red Side Stripe - Shown in first photo above - This is the most common version of the 231 Alco A diesel.

All Black Exterior (Second photo above) - Extremely difficult to find, quite possibly a factory error or early production variation.

To purchase quality Lionel Also Diesel Units from our sponsors, click on either website:

Dave's Trains Inc.