Production: 1955 - 1957

History
The 1615 steam engine was classified by Lionel as a Switcher steam locomotive. It is a small steam engine and was available as a separate sale item or in work train sets. It shares its boiler casting with the 1656 steam switcher.

The 1615 was introduced in 1955 after a six-year absence of a steam switcher in the Lionel family. The heavy die-cast locomotive and relatively light tender are an unusual combination. However, since the locomotive is designed to haul only a few cars, it will look great working in any freight yard.

Features
The 1615 switcher has the following standard features: an 0-4-0 wheel arrangement with detailed driving wheel hardware, black die-cast boiler, three-position E-unit, headlight, wire handrailings plus a front step and an operating front coupler. Although the bolier front has holders for marker lights, the 1615 was never sold with simulated marker lens.

A 1615T slope-back tender was always included with this locomotive. Standard features of the 1615T include metal bar-end trucks and an operating coupler.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of a 1615 is approximately 9" (front to back) while the length of the 1615 and 1615T tender is approximately 15" long (coupler to coupler).

The steam locomotive did not include a smoke and the tender was always a non-whistling type.

Only Known Variation - Shown in the photo above. - All 1615s are black with a 1615T tender.