Hello I was wondering if anybody can tell me what lights they think fit on this 252.I got it at a yard sale a couple of years ago and just got around to repairing it.It had no lights on it.Looking at the top holes it seems like on one end should be a strap light on the other side a cast light.I looked at the newer greenburg book of prewar trains(great book ) and it doesn't show any engines with that arrangement.They all have either a cast light or a strap light.
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Jim, the headlight for your engine should be the cast headlight. It goes on the left end in your photograph. A small pantagraph and whistle go on the other. Hennings Trains has all your parts.
You can reach me via email for a list of part numbers and cost. Here is mine.
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Using up old stock? Repair from a serious wreck? Maybe the factory prototype? Looks like your going to need 2 different lights.
As you can tell, there never was a strap headlight installed as the slots have never been used. (One slot stamping incomplete and no signs of a tab scrape in the metal,) It does have the square cutout for the later cast headlight. So the engine had a cast headlight. 252's only had one light.
@Chuck Sartor I checked both Doyle's and Greenberg's prewar books.
Doyle's book shows a green 252 with 2 strap headlights. It also mention "Headlights" in a couple varieties. However Greenberg's newest prewar vol.1 does not show or mention a single 252 with 2 headlights. I would trust Greenberg's book more than Doyle's. Was there possibly a 252 that was Lionel made with 2 headlights or an owner installed upgrade? Just Wondering
252's always had only 1 headlight. The engine you saw was at some point added a headlight. The Doyle book may be using that for a 'ringer'.
Thanks for all the replies.I think I will put in a cast light as a strap light and a cast on the other side would look funny,