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I recently acquired a Postwar Lionel 633 Santa Fe switcher. This is a low end piece from 1962, made one year only. The engine is unusual because an Alco motor truck was used. The motor truck does not have a couple, just an empty pocket. The collector truck has a non-operating truck.
As far as I know, the motor is double wound for use with a two position e-unit. Only one axle is driven.

Here is my question: the guide book I checked says it should have a traction tire, is that so?

The guide books have mistakes from time to time.

Also, has anybody seen this engine with a different power truck?
The one I picked up has:

double wound field

both axles driven

no axle bearings.

one traction tire.

 

I think the motor was probably replaced, but whomever did the work did a much neater, careful job than is typically seen.

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quote:


I'm confused, your book says it should have a traction tire, and yours has one.

 

What is the discrepancy?



 

The one I picked up has both axles driven. According to the book, only one axle should be driven.
The difficulty with collecting late switchers and ALCOs is that parts can be easily swapped around. I have looked at a number of 633's with single axle drive, but I never noticed whether or not they had a traction tire.

Last edited by C W Burfle

Based on Chuck Sartor's comment, I got out my "Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Promotional Outfits. (great book)
What a surprise!

 

According to this book:

the single axle drive version is a 633-25. It came in one promotional set from 1962.

The dual axle drive version is a 633-50. It came in five different promotional sets in 1962, and one set in 1963.

 

I only saw 1 cataloged set, made in 1962.

 

Last edited by C W Burfle

That's interesting information.  Until now I wasn't aware that traction tires were used this early let alone the drive line difference.  One can only imagine the rampant penny pinching during this point in Lionel's history.  2 different 633 versions dependent on the performance needed for different sets...so tight it squeaks.  Then came the 634....no tires, both couplers are dummies and lesser decoration on the '66 version.

 

Bruce

 

 

 

quote:
 Then came the 634....no tires, both couplers are dummies and lesser decoration on the '66 version.



 

I checked the 634 I had handy. It has a single traction tire. I checked the Lionel parts list for the 634 (it has its own page). a grooved wheel and traction tire is listed.

 

Some time ago I looked into the subject of when Lionel introduced diesel traction tires, and came to the conclusion it was probably 1962. The diesel traction tire carries the part number 222-108, and the grooved wheel is 222-107. The 222 is a 1962 locomotive.

The grooved steam engine wheel's part number is 242-217, the tire is 242-206. the 242 locomotive was also introduced in 1962.

 

Last edited by C W Burfle

Now that I know that the Postwar Lionel 633 came from the factory with both single and dual driven axle versions, I have another question:

 

I have been watching 633's on Ebay. So far, they have all been dual axle versions, with an ALCO style coupler mounted on the motor truck.
I believe the single axle versions were sold with no coupler on the motor truck.

 

Did Lionel include a knuckle coupler on the dual motor truck version of the 633?

(I originally thought the ones with front couples were added post-factory, but there seems to be too many)

Last edited by C W Burfle

Hi CW, I highly doubt any 633's were factory equipped with a front coupler. If a coupler was added, (2243 B unit coupler) it was post factory. I would check for needle nose pliers marks on the aluminum frame.The swing of the short coupler would pull the first car behind the engine off the track on the first 027 curve it tried to go around.

I looked at the motor truck on my dual axle drive 633 the best I could without removing it. I cannot see any tool marks.
As I posted previously, every dual axle drive 633 that I have seen has a front coupler.
I looked at the illustrations in the Project Roars uncataloged set book. Only a couple of the 633 sets were illustrated, and I could not tell from the picture whether there was a front couple.
I also checked the Lionel service manual. There is only one parts sheet that makes no mention of there being dual axle and single axle versions.
Curiously, the parts list also includes a 1033-120 resistor assembly. But it is not shown in the wiring diagram. I have not disassembled my 633 to see if there is one in there. I am guessing that the part was listed in error.

Originally Posted by C W Burfle:

Based on Chuck Sartor's comment, I got out my "Authoritative Guide to Lionel's According to this book:

the single axle drive version is a 633-25. It came in one promotional set from 1962.

The dual axle drive version is a 633-50. It came in five different promotional sets in 1962, and one set in 1963.

I only saw 1 cataloged set, made in 1962. 

CW,

Now the questions yet to be answered. Keep the little engine by it's lonesome or build up the set pieces while you search for a empty set box? Just a random thought..LOL! 




quote:
Now the questions yet to be answered. Keep the little engine by it's lonesome or build up the set pieces while you search for a empty set box? Just a random thought..LOL! 




 

I don't really have any interest in trying to assemble sets. The only time I did anything close, it was to replace all the cars that came in a set I picked up. In this particular set, every car was smoke damaged. The engine must have been stored elsewhere, because it did not have any damage. It took years to find the correct cars.

 

I have kept everything together from the last couple of private party purchases I made.

 

I have some different postwar Lionel Alco FA units, two-axle drive, one-axle drive, unpowered, 2-position and 3-position E-units or none; they are all later versions, not the diecast frames. No Magne-Traction. The single-axle drive versions have one traction tire. I've changed some shells around to make a pair of single-axle powered units that can pull a decent train (of lighter equipment). So my point is that if shells have been changed around, it's difficult to know what was "original". Plus it seems that some Lionel items had variations (perhaps between catalogued and non-catalogued set versions) that created less-common combinations of features, and the guide books may not have documented all these. I don't concern myself with maintaining originality because I prefer to modify items to suit my own operating preferences.

 

100_2541

 

I recently purchased a 627 center-cab loco which needs some work, and it appears to be the same type of motor. It has two-axle drive and one Magne-traction axle.

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Last edited by Ace



quote:
 So my point is that if shells have been changed around, it's difficult to know what was "original". Plus it seems that some Lionel items had variations (perhaps between catalogued and non-catalogued set versions) that created less-common combinations of features, and the guide books may not have documented all these. I don't concern myself with maintaining originality because I prefer to modify items to suit my own operating preferences.




 

To be clear, I see nothing wrong with Ace swapping things around to suit his needs/desires. 

For those of us who do care about originality, most of the factory configurations are documented, although there are exceptions. 

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