2322 Virginian

Production: 1965 - 1966

History
The Virginian Trainmaster is a beautiful and almost scale size replica of the real life Trainmaster diesel locomotive. Lionel's version of this locomotive has a well-deserved reputation for being a top-of-the-line diesel with excellent durability and strength. The 2322 final FM Trainmaster introduced by Lionel in the postwar era -- the first being the 2321 Lackawanna from 1954.

The most common problem with the Lionel's Trainmasters are the screwholes on each end of the shell. In almost all cases, there are hairline cracks going from the bottom of the screwhole to the bottom of the shell. To find any unit without hairline cracks is rare.

Lastly, the 2322 Virginian is almost an exact copy of the 2331 Virginian from the mid-1950's. Externally, the only difference between the two Trainmasters is the number located at the end of the cab. Internally, there are only minor manufacturing differences -- the easiest to recognize is the color of the armature wire. On the 2331 Virginian the armature is wrapped with a copper color wire while the 2322 has green or red wire. Of the two Virginian FM's, the 2322 is harder to find as it was only produced for a two year period in the mid-1960's.

Features
Standard features of the 2322 include: dual motors, magnetraction, three position E-unit, functional headlights at each end including illuminated number boards, dual operating couplers, horn plus detailed wire handrailings along all four sides of the shell plus an ornamental horn on each side.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Blue Shell, Painted Both Yellow and Blue - The shells painted both blue and yellow on the exterior are early production from 1965 and are scarce.

Blue Shell, Only Painted Yellow - Shown in the photo above - The common version was to only paint the yellow section on the molded blue shell.

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