opinion on 252 headlights

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.

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,