Hello. I have two Lionel Post War steam locos. A 1615 and a 1656. They look almost identical. Which one came with the Bell Ringing Tender? Thanks.
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1656 ….1615 was specific for O27 and thus wouldn’t have all the fancy features of the O gauge line …..remember, although tooled the exact same, back then, Lionel had 2 lines, ( as far as O gauge is concerned ) …..O & O27,…..1656 was catalogued as O gauge, and 1615 was an O27 ….
Pat
Thanks Pat. I appreciate it.
To add to Pat's reply, the 1656 has jacks in the backhead of the engine for the wire plugs coming from the tender for electric couplers on the locomotive and a ground wire. Plastic tender on the 1615 and die cast metal on the 1656. Also there may be running issues running the 1656 on O gauge track, such as stalling on 022 switches. 1656 ( and 1665) are late 1940's model and the cheapened 1615 in 1955.
I bought a nice 1615 with the engine being boxed for $70 at the April 2023 York. The tenders are almost the same looking except for the 1656 having the bell and electric coupler.
Cheapened or not, I always liked that small switcher!
The 1656 also features a die cast metal tender shell? , …..huh Chuck??….
I found my 1615 in the trash doing my paper route as a youngster……still have it!….I found a lot of trains in the trash delivering newspapers, or being first on the scene at a yard sale delivering papers……
Pat
Nice thing about the bell ringer steam switchers is the bell had a switch. The 622 and 6220 NW2s had no switch so you had to remove parts to stop the ringing or slowly go mad. Ding, ding, ding……………….…
Pete
Now I want a bell ringer! ,….I’ve got a 1615 & a 1656, but it has a plastic switcher tender….I never got any of the bell ringer NW2’s …..although slowly going mad doesn’t sound too pleasant…..
Pat
I have two 1615s and a 1656, and I was also wondering about which tender went with what. It seems that I have a mixed up kit - with 2 slope backed bell ringers and one bell-less that has a bulb in the tender light fixture (scratching head)
Now I gotta go dig them out to check this weekend👍😉
The 1656 was capable of allowing the slope back tender with the bell sounds, via a plug in connection from the tender to the rear of the steamer. Although that goes back many years and the the new A5 0-4-0 Legacy version coming to your favorite dealer somewhat soon will be an awesome replica more to scale and should be a fun to run steamer. When I get time, I’ll go to the original Lionel catalog snd give you a good review. I used to have both steamers, 1615 came with a plastic render, tge 1656 came with a metal tender, if my memory serves me correctly. Soon. Happy Railroading Everyone
@harmonyards posted:Now I want a bell ringer! ,….I’ve got a 1615 & a 1656, but it has a plastic switcher tender….I never got any of the bell ringer NW2’s …..although slowly going mad doesn’t sound too pleasant…..
Pat
With the exception of the 1615 I have all of Lionel's bell ringers starting with the pre-war semi-scale 8976 Steam Switcher and ending with the last two NW-2's, the Western Maryland and Southern Pacific , LTI made in the late 1980s and early 1990s and yes I went mad quite some time ago. My wife will of course verify that. I will say though that from time to time the simplistic ding, ding is a pleasant respite from the raucous noise of Railsounds.
Early 1656 switchers had a 2403B slope back tender (most lightly left overs from 1665 switcher) , 1656 switchers later had a 6403B tender. They both were bell ringers and had a working back up light.
The difference in the two bell ringer tenders, 2403B had a roller pick up on front truck (for bell), rear truck had a shoe (for coil coupler). 6403B tender had a roller and shoe on the rear truck. Also the 6403B coal load was casted as one in the diecast shell, 2403B the coal load was a separate plastic insert.
The 1615 switchers came with 1615T slope back tender which had a plastic shell, no bell, no back up light, and a magnetic coupler.
All switchers came w/ red jewels in the front marker lights. The common problem w/these switchers is the front marker lights got broke off.
They are all good runners.
@Trussman posted:Early 1656 switchers had a 2403B slope back tender (most lightly left overs from 1665 switcher) , 1656 switchers later had a 6403B tender. They both were bell ringers and had a working back up light.
The difference in the two bell ringer tenders, 2403B had a roller pick up on front truck (for bell), rear truck had a shoe (for coil coupler). 6403B tender had a roller and shoe on the rear truck. Also the 6403B coal load was casted as one in the diecast shell, 2403B the coal load was a separate plastic insert.
The 1615 switchers came with 1615T slope back tender which had a plastic shell, no bell, no back up light, and a magnetic coupler.
All switchers came w/ red jewels in the front marker lights. The common problem w/these switchers is the front marker lights got broke off.
They are all good runners.
Either one of the 1656’s with a bell ringer will be fine! …..thanks! ….😜😜😜
Pat
1656 Came with 2403B or 6403B tenders earlier 1665 came with the 2403B tender. The 2403 was a redo of the prewar 2201B 2203B tender Currently on my workbench is a 1665 boiler being modified to take a 201/203 6 wheel motor (Cutting new e-unit slot farther forward right behind the stack) to make a cataloged but not made 403 switcher see 1946 catalog
My pre-war 1663 came with o 2203T tenderNO BELL but has a full bell and "Magic-Electrol under the premise it was bought without bell and at a later date service station added a bell and thermostat for the bell. Tender frame was already set up for installing a bell.
side bar question -
does the 1615/1656/1665 have a prototype that it was based on?
EDIT: it was loosely based upon the Pennsylvania A5
Attachments
Images (1)
It captures some of the elements of a PRR A-5 including the Squared off Belpaire Firebox. Downside headlight on a PRR Loco is a high mount headlight
I the high-mount headlamp makes it look sharp! I wish the lionel had that but folks would've busted them off in many cases
Allow me to ask another question. I was able to pick up a 1663 with a 2203T metal tender. The 1663 is missing the forward valve gear screws and the related guide rods that go to the steam chest. In addition, it runs and then stops. Two Lionel guys have attempted repairs thus far (I am not a repair guy). The wiring is original, the bell sound is more like clunk clunk and clunk.
Other than the above, the stamped cab numbers are intact and the tender Lionel markings are excellent (looks like white paint).
Where should I send this for a corrective overhaul?
Thank you...and be sure to have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Beware...Gravy is not a beverage folks.
Chuck242
