2343 Santa Fe

Product Description

Production: 1950 - 1952

History
The 2343 Santa Fe F3 AA unit of the early 1950s -- along with the 2344 New York Central F3 AAs -- are considered by collectors and operators to be the best F3 manufactured by Lionel during the entire postwar era.

Collectors seek these diesels because they contain the most features of any postwar F3. Operators pursue this diesel because of its proven reliability and durability. The dual motors and Magnetraction makes for transporting long freight trains around a layout an easy task. Externally, the detail is second-to-none. With features such as wire cloth ventilators, portholes with clear lens, cab ladders and grab irons on the nose, these features are still used by current toy train manufacturers as the standard for excellence.

During the three year production cycle, the 2343 Santa Fe diesel was included in four catalogued O gauge sets. Three sets were freight sets -- with one being an ABA set -- and the fourth set had an AA diesel combination heading up an extruded aluminum passenger set in 1952.

Features
Standard features of each A units includes:

Silver painted shell with red and yellow accents.
Functional front coupler with a non-operating rear coupler.
Illuminated headlight and number boards.
Two metal ladder steps on the rear of the frame plus metal steps on each truck.
Dual two-piece ornamental horns.
Wire cloth roof ventilators.
General Motors decal near the rear door plus a Santa Fe decal on the front.
Pair of simulated grab irons on the front of the cab.

Additionally, the power A unit contains dual motors, Magnetraction, functional horn and a three-position E-unit.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
When coupled together, the length of the AA F3s is approximately 26" long (coupler to coupler).

Large GM Decal - Shown in first photo above - For the 1950 and 1951 production runs, Lionel used a larger red-background GM decal.

Small GM Decal (Second photo above) - For the 1952 production run, Lionel used a slightly smaller black-background GM Decal.

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