1655 & 1654 PW Locos, Good runners?

I have a 1655 that runs like a champ, but has limited pulling power...about five lightweight cars is the limit.  Also, I think the motor in the 1655 is better than the 1654.

PD

Engines which are considerably better and in the same price range are the 2018 and 2037. The 1654 and 1655 are generally classified as "Scout-type" engines - while not technically Scouts. The 2018 and 2037 are more durable, have better tenders and more features and can easily be had for under $50.00.

I have a 1655 and love it. It's one of my smoothest runners, and pulls well. Five cars and a tender isn't a challenge for mine to pull. It has a metal motor frame and a die cast shell, but no smoke unit. Very easy to work on, and super reliable.

Harry,

I have several 2037 w/whistle tenders and LOVE them, they are bullet proof and easy to service/clean. I was attracked to the 1654/55 engines because of their even smaller size, different wheel arrangement, so I can get a varied look on a small layout.

pd & Jumijo,

Thanks for your input, I think I'll be going after a couple of these engines.

I have a 1654 and a 1655, both have similar running characteristics as a 675, they are smoother runners than the magnetraction locos. One caveat is that they are older and might have more run time. Also the whistle tenders that come with these are not "repair friendly" due to the sheet metal tenders using tabs to hold the shell in place. As far as pulling power, it is amazing what a tiny drop of oil on the wheel of each freight car can do. If you like the look, buy one or two and enjoy them.

The 1654 might have some trouble on certain switches. My 1654 will not make it through fastrck or realtrax switches. The gears get in the way. Superb runners nonetheless. It will not run on super o either. I think the 1655 does not have this issue. 

One thing I never liked about the 1654 & 1655 are the sliding-shoe pickups.  They create extra drag, and if the spring is too stiff, they can even take weight off of the driving wheels (which contributes to poor pulling power.)  

It seems like it might be possible to replace the pickup plate and wipers with one from the early postwar 0-4-0's, which had rollers.  Just a thought.

I gave my 1655 a complete cleaning and tune up when I bought it, including new pickup shoes. I've not noticed any drag or other poor performance from them. As I stated earlier, my 1655 is one of my finest running locos, and it doesn't have any trouble going through FastTrack switches.

My 1655 is a great little steamer....easy to work on and easy to maintain.  Mine is used to pull 5 6400 series tin passenger cars.  As long as I keep the passenger wheels lubricated it pulls them just fine. 

Go for a 1655.  No problems on switches, and the motor is as smooth as the best spur-gear motors from the 40s.  Ditto Train Doctor: if you keep the axle ends lubricated on your cars, you should be able to pull 10 cars (6456, 6454, etc.) on level track, no problem.

I like sliding shoe engines like these Lionels and Marx for one reason:  I run my Marx after cleaning the track.  The sliding shoe tends to really clean the center rail.

I still have my Dad's 1655 , the 6654W tinplate whistle tender and the set's associated freight cars.  The engine runs just as quietly and smoothly as it did in 1948 when he purchased it and it pulls its freight consist easily.  I often add three or four more post war cars without any trouble whatsoever.  The whistle tender still sounds great as well.  I know I'm biased but go for the 1655.

Thank you all for your input. I now have my sights set on a 1655.

Regards,

LIONEL6457

I just bought a 1654, so will I have problems with my fast track switches? (Track not set up right now as working on bench work)

Any work-arounds or things I can do, besides change track?

You will probably notice it stalls or goes into neutral on fastrack switches. If it has a whistle tender you could run a jumper wire with a disconnect plug from the rollers of the tender to the locomotive. Both the 1654 and 55 have really large flanges on the drivers and will probably bump going through switched. The 1655 has a redesigned motor from the 1654 and runs marginally better.

Everything's already been said but I do like the 1655, a smooth, quiet runner.

1654 is a single reduction drive locomotive the large gear on the drive wheels. This can result in problems with switches and uncoupling tracks.  The 1655 is a redesign of the 1654 but has a double reduction drive which gets rid of the large gear on the drive wheels and eliminates the problems with switches.  It also lets the motor run faster providing smooth operation and more power.  I would recommend the 1655. The 1654 is more of a prewar locomotive built post war.

Have you looked at 2034 or 1130?

Not yet, as I have to see how bad the 1654 is since I just received it!

I picked up a 1130 & 6066T for around 25$ on eBay.  in Ex+ shape.   While I wanted the 1655, I was having a hard time finding one w/ a decent looking tender.  The 1130 runs pretty good, as it has the better, non scout motor in it