History
Lionel's 629 Burlington diesel switcher is a model of General Electric's Center Cab Switcher. Produced in the 1950s, GE's Center Cab Switcher was the largest locomotive requiring only a single operator. With a nickname of 44-tonner, it was one ton shy of the limit for diesels to be operated by a single operator. Although Lionel's model is significantly longer in proportion when compared to the actual locomotive, it remains a nice representation of its real-life counterpart.

Lionel introduced the center cab switcher model to its product line in 1956. During its introductory year, the center cab switcher was available in three roadnames: 627 Lehigh Valley, 628 Northern Pacific and 629 Burlington.

In total, Lionel produced five different roadnames on the center cab switcher. Of the five roadnames, the 629 is the hardest to locate in nice, collectable condition. Quite frequently, the silver appears faded or washed-out. Nice and clean examples are quite difficult to locate. Even the original box for the 629 is hard to find.

Features
Standard features of the 629 Burlington center cab switcher include: silver painted shell with red lettering and a single red stripe on the base of the cab, single-axle Magnetraction, die-cast trucks, metal end-railings, three-position E-unit, dual operating couplers plus an ornamental horn and bell. The 629 does not contain a functional horn but does have an illuminated headlight at one end.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of the 629 is approximately 12 1/2" long (coupler to coupler).

Only Known Variation - All 629's are painted silver with red lettering and lower stripe.