256 Electric Loco Arrives!

Take it slow the first laps around the track. There can be clearance issues. I know my MTH version hit the O-gauge post-war signal bridge. Not sure if it cleard the Bascule bridge and Lionel dark green later version lift bridge.

Enjoy your new set.

I picked mine up this past weekend and am ashamed to admit that I haven't even taken it out of its box yet.  I hope to spend some time playing with it this coming weekend.  It's a sister for the red and blue models that I bought some time ago.

And, yes, they are big...possibly the biggest of the O gauge electrics.

Right you are, Jim. I found myself moving around the layout and sliding things out of the way here and there for side clearance. 

Allan,

Did you get the PS2 version?

I did and like it, although the “Station Announcements” sound package is pretty funny. Among other things, one of the clips is “all aboard for St. Louis.”  Don’t think any 256’s (or their prototypes)  were pulling cars out that way.    No biggie, though, as I don’t really use that sound feature all that much.

johnstrains...

There are plenty of 256s out this way...

No prototypes though.  We like steam power, so, we let em run all the way to the station.

Always loved the 256 - sometimes called an honorary standard gauge loco due to its impressive size for O gauge.

The probable prototype loco on the New Haven:

Jim

Rob,

Over the weekend, I got curious and did a little research (emphasis on a little) on older electric locos and their uses. Ran into lots of interesting stuff, including many references to the Hoosac Tunnel up in Western Massachusetts. Anyway, among other pages found this pic on one website with a picture of an actual loco and a reference to the Lionel 256:

http://tinplatetrack.blogspot....ric-locomotives.html

Fun to read about as I know nothing about these old electrics, and want to be ready for the inevitable, i.e., some visitor to my layout who asks, "...what the heck is that?"

EDIT: Great minds, Jim! Was posting my pic just as you put that one up.

For someone who does not care for the boxy AEM-7 "toasters", I sure like like the box cab electrics. I have the MTH 256- very nice, but about the only cars that look good with it are the 700 series (?) passenger cars because it is so big!

Now that is nice, I think I'll spring for one.

Johnstrains,  You have hit the jackpot...the Lionel 256 was indeed based on the Hoosac Tunnel motor...according to my research.  They used it for the same reason the SP turned their locos around and made cab-forwards... the crews were choking on all the exhaust!  These locos were made by Baldwin-Westinghouse for the specific purpose of the navigating the tunnel...steam power would bank the fire and ride along behind the "256's" on the B&M main in the tunnel, then take over after the tunnel was traversed.

No long tunnels or restrictive municipalities out here in ST. Louis.. We had to live the "what if" scenario with our toy 256's!

Here is what we do with them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKiqjltqEnA&feature=plcp

Jim, I bet if you looked close at some Flyer prewar (Wide AND Narrow), you would see why we call them "New Haven" cabs.....  Take a look at the Lionel 253 as well....

Very cool ! Thanks for posting.

Would the Lionel Blue-Orange 600 series cars (like the 605) go with this engine, or would it look too small? I don't care for the color orange, and all orange colored cars with an orange engine would be a bit much for me. To say nothing of the price of a 3 car 700 series set...

I found this picture of one of those 256s pulling a steamer out of the Hoosac Tunnel. The B&O had the same problem pulling trains through the Howard Street Tunnel, so they set up a small electric line that used steeplecab electrics.

And here's a clip on Youtube that shows them in action:

Dave,

I think this one ultimately falls into the eye-of-the-beholder category, i.e., run what you like. However, my guess is those 600 series cars will look quite small behind the 256. The 710 series are great with the 256, but even they “look smaller” to some extent. As others have mentioned, for an O gauge loco it’s just so darned large.

Great video of the tunnel and electric motors. Thanks for posting.  

The 605 series cars would indeed look tiny. Lionel only cataloged the 256 with the 710 series cars.

Ron M

Now that I've had a week to live with my 256 and the passenger cars, I have to say that I'm very pleased. 

However, I just happened to notice something earlier today that I'm not sure about. On the MTH product page for the 710 passenger cars it indicates "Detailed Car Interiors."  Well, the cars I got have no interior detail to speak of. The windows have some decorative inserts but that's it. The rest is a light bulb and wiring.

Frankly, I didn't think these cars would come with seats and other features seen in higher end items, but have to wonder. I know, I should probably contact MTH on this but wanted to throw this out to anyone who might have the 710s.

Thoughts?

In an extraordinary set of coincidences, an original 256 set just found its way onto my layout. It is a restoration that was performed long enough ago to allow the set to acquire a degree of that patina which I believe enhances the Lionel orange. It's not perfect in all details, but it has me smiling.

I thank (or is it blame ) this thread for renewing my interest in this old electric and leading to my acquisition of this set when it happened to cross my path at the local hobby shop!

Jim

Wow, Jim, that set looks fantastic!  I totally agree about the aging process and how it enhances the finish.  I love my new 256 and passenger car set, but it is awfully ORANGE. I need a few brown spots.

It’s fun comparing your pics with mine. Having never seen a 256 in the flesh, I can see that LCT did a pretty good job on the repro version.

Glad that this thread was able to work its magic and bring one your way.