Production:  1956 & 1957

History
The 51 Navy Yard Switcher was produced for two years in the mid 1950s. These small locomotives -- generally referred to as Motorized Units -- are loosely design after a real-life gas Vulcan switcher of the 1950s.

Lionels model, similar to the real-life version, was small and had limited pulling power. On average, it could only pull two or three freight cars. Lionel only offered the 51 as a separate sale item and never in a set.

Features
The 51 Navy Yard Switcher ran unchanged for both years. Standard features include: 2-4-2 wheel arrangement, blue body with white lettering, three-position E-unit, black side railings, low front and rear railings, operating front and rear couplers, metal side rode connecting the drive wheels plus an ornamental bell.

The 51 Navy Yard Switcher ran unchanged for two years and did not include magne-traction nor interior illumination.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
A common problem with this locomotive are the thin window struts on each side of the cab. These struts are quite frequently found cracked or completely missing. Units with intact window struts will command a slight premium.

Only Known Variation - Shown in the photo above. - All 51s were painted blue with white lettering.