Need advice on Lionel 1666 Scout

1. These loco's were not designed to pull more than two or three cars. There are no wheels with traction tires available that match the originals. However, you may want to try getting a set of very thin traction tires and slip them over the rear wheels.

2. This is typically a bad or weak DC circuit in the transformer. Given that the whistle is serviced and properly adjusted, you need to get the power there. If the relay is engaging ok and holding, then your transformer may not gave enough power, and it's time for an upgrade. 

3. The way the casting was made, no. You would have to drill the stack out just to put a Seuth unit in there. To completely modify it with a Lionel smoker, yor would have to also add the pilot casting and smoker parts from an early 2026.

Gandy

Gandy covered it all very well.

If a longer train is you goal, then consider adding some Lionel MPC era relling stock. These cars are very lite, and are great rollers.

I would not arremped to add smoke. A post war 1666 could be up to 69 years old these days. Although not a very collectable engine, the 1666 is a classic and has out lived many engines made ater her. The quality and detail on this "starter set" engine surpasses any starter set made today.

Thanks,

Richard

Your 1666 locomotive isn't considered a scout. IMHO, you've already determined it's pulling limit at 5-6 cars (I'd keep it to 4 - 5)

IMHO, the behavior your locomotive is exhibiting is normal for that model.

Woodie - I was in your shoes 10 years ago or so. Had an old engine, didn't perform all that great, saw what Lionel was making at the time, hmmm...

Even though I don't have a layout, today I have several Legacy locomotives, steam & diesel, and enjoy the daylights out of them.

Sounds like you might be on a similar path!!

My original Lionel resides proudly on a shelf near my desk.

Good Luck!!

Well it wasn't what I wanted to hear but it sounds like good advice.  I realize the 1666 isn't a valuable collectible model but it brings back good times with my dad and uncles who are gone now.  I was planning on upgrading the transformer anyway so hopefully that will eliminate some of the whistle problem. Guess I didn't want the darned old smoke anyway. Thanks to all

Is it a pre-war 1666 or a post-war 1666?

I'm going to have to disagree with some of the above responses. My 1666 will pull 10 postwar short boxcars, with power to spare, and I'm talking about the NYC, SF, WP, operating boxcars, not the "scout" style boxcars. This is on a "pretty much" level layout, using Lionel tubular track, and an LW for power. The loop is 5x9. My track isn't all that clean, but not dirty. I'm curious which cars you are pulling with the engine, and if they've been serviced? Type of transformer and conditions the track is on would help (carpet, plywood, foam, etc.). Also, have you serviced the whistle unit recently?

Your 1666 should certainly pull more than 6 cars in clean, well-powered condition. Take it a step at a time. Clean the track. Clean the wheels on everything. Lightly oil the axles on the rolling stock and tender. Later go after the whistle, which is pretty easy to do, and we can talk you through it right here on the forum. Don't give up on the old thing yet, sounds like there's plenty of life still in it.

I'm attempting to run the 1666 on new Fastrack.  I think I'll start by cleaning the track and drivers with alcohol or something to remove any traces of oil etc. Sounds like a good idea to service the rolling stock while I'm at it.  The cars I'm attempting to pull are the original cars that came with the set plus a some newer cars.  I'll check out the actual part numbers of the cars tomorrow and post that info.

Oh and my apologies, 1666 is not a Scout it was dubbed Prairie by Lionel.

Eddie I really don't know enough about this to make statements but I was under the impression that 1666 Prairies were built in '46 & '47.  This one appears to be variation C built in '47.

I have both the gray & black 1666. Nice locomotives and in my opinion some real clean lines. The ones with sliders can be a bit touchy on Fastrack because the center rail is not slightly elevated like tubular track.

Good engine, enjoy it.

Steve

Steve, I'm learning more on every post, did not realize that 1666 came in gray.  I've always liked mine even though it doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the later engines. Your remark about sliders is exactly what I was experiencing at first.  The engine would stutter along down a straight and immediately on entering a curve die completely.  I finally took a piece of Fastrack, placed the engine on it and was able to look underneath to see what was happening.  A very gentle bit of prying down on the slider brought it a tiny bit lower and now it runs fine. Thanks for your input, Mike

In response to the question concerning what cars I'm pulling, I'm running combinations of these items: 2466x - Tender, 2465 - Tank Car, 6472 - Reefer, 2452x - Gondola, 2472 - Caboose, 6916 - Work Car, 15082 - PRR Box Car, 6656 - Cattle Car, 36153 - Tank Car, 36653 - Caboose, 6456 - Hopper, 3362 - Helium Flat Car.

The 6656 and 36153 Tank car weigh next to nothing due to plastic construction.