The Used, Abused, and Humble Lionel 520 Box Cab

Nice!  

It certainly looks like you got a nice one.
I've always liked the 520 and have owned a number of them over the years.
They have a decent motor and a three position E-unit.

Not suggesting you modify yours, I think it is too nice.
On one I painted the "headlights" silver and added grain of wheat bulbs to light them.
On another I added a whistle relay to control the e-unit.

Be careful anytime you have to remove the shell. There are two "fingers" that clip the body onto the frame on the end opposite the screw. Almost every 520 I've seen has them broken off.
I'd also recommend picking up the loco by the metal frame, as opposed to the body.

Very nice!!!

C W Burfle posted:

It certainly looks like you got a nice one.
I've always liked the 520 and have owned a number of them over the years.
They have a decent motor and a three position E-unit.

Not suggesting you modify yours, I think it is too nice.
On one I painted the "headlights" silver and added grain of wheat bulbs to light them.
On another I added a whistle relay to control the e-unit.

Be careful anytime you have to remove the shell. There are two "fingers" that clip the body onto the frame on the end opposite the screw. Almost every 520 I've seen has them broken off.
I'd also recommend picking up the loco by the metal frame, as opposed to the body.

Thanks CW, 

Good advice. Much appreciated.

Although I do like the looks of the 520 in a general way, I could never get past the fact that Lionel never put actual trucks on it.  Maybe if Lionel were to reissue it with individual trucks and working headlights, I'd buy the modern version.

There's a method to my madness acquiring the Lionel 520.

I like to build Postwar sets a car at a time. It's fun and can usually do it more cheaply than buying a complete set at auction or on the Bay. Have to shop carefully but very doable.

This is going to be part of the X-150 uncataloged set. An easy set as it's only four modest cars. However one of them is the rare and hard to find Chun King boxcar. Go figure.

So, three of the four are in hand!

I used to repaint these and sell them at train shows.Below are pictures of the last two i kept. I would drill out the headlights add lenses from a 2350 and put a grain of wheat bulb behind the lens. The 4 bulbs wired together never got too hot and added a nice detail. I also sometimes added horns,a bell, window glass and handrails. I've got one of the K Line units on my bench now to repaint also as a NH.

Pete, 

Fantastic! Just outstanding work. Love that NH livery!

As old timers around here and on the now extinct AOL boards likely know, I am a big fan of the 520 Boxcab, and have been since I first bought one back when I was a young teen. I even founded the "Friends of the 520" association way back when--a loosely organized and informal group of online folks who shared my affection for this inexpensive little locomotive. Have a couple of the K-Line versions as well, and was at one time looking forward to an even more improved/updated version that Walter Matuch of RMT once had on the back burner. Now that he's back in business, perhaps we will see a new version.

I couldn't wait for RMT's version. 

I don't have my repair manual in front of me, but I remember the motor is a four wheel steam loco motor/chassis. It is a good puller and runs smooth. I double head mine with my 1615 switcher; looks cool.

My dad handed his 520 down to me in November. It quit working when I was very young. To the joy of my father, I brought it back to life. Here it is, along with the rolling stock that comprises set 1542.  

The entire set was a Christmas gift to my dad from my great grandparents in 1956. The satisfaction that I get from watching this little set run around my tree is beyond words. 

A great little loco for kit bashing.  

Cool as can be.

I do remember reading that these were sent to Chile in the 30s (I think) to be operated by a mining company. 

Either way, it's a super cool history for both the real item and the Lionel 520. Imagine the sheer amount of power flowing through that massive DC motor! 

I like the K-line version.  

Sometimes, as with many things in life, less is MORE! 

Ironic that the Lionel version sits lower than the prototype, owing to it not having any actual trucks. At least Marx's similarly-powered Alco (ish) switcher (the one that became the K-Line S2/RMT 'Bang') had dummy wheelsets on both ends.

Has anyone ever actually modified a 520 into an actual 4-axle switcher? (I imagine you'd need low-profile power trucks to do it under the Lionel chassis...after cutting out the fake truck sideframes.

---PCJ

Just paid for a used K-Line 520 on Evilbay.  $70.00.  Seems like a decent deal.  Can't wait for it to arrive.  

I have a 520 "set" with the engine, cars, transformer, track and the Lionel shipper along with an insert or two but I am looking for images of how the set was packed plus a complete list of the documents and parts which accompanied the set. I was never able to figure out how the track and transformer along with the cars were positioned and packaged in the box.

Can someone please provide these images and list of part (envelopes), documents, etc., or provide a link to the packaging images, etc. Thank you.  

N&W posted:

I have a 520 "set" with the engine, cars, transformer, track and the Lionel shipper along with an insert or two but I am looking for images of how the set was packed plus a complete list of the documents and parts which accompanied the set. I was never able to figure out how the track and transformer along with the cars were positioned and packaged in the box.

Can someone please provide these images and list of part (envelopes), documents, etc., or provide a link to the packaging images, etc. Thank you.  

Well, there were several sets that included the 520 box cab. The one I know is the X-150 which was an uncatalogued set.

See link below from an auction for this set which has a few pictures. I found this with a google search. I'm sure there's more out there. 

https://www.liveauctioneers.co...014-chun-king-boxcar

Edit: Some more info on the 520 from the excellent PW Tandem site:

https://www.tandem-associates....ins_520_electric.htm

Kind of ironic that such a relatively basic loco should have such a loyal following!

johnstrains posted:

N&W posted:

I have a 520 "set" with the engine, cars, transformer, track and the Lionel shipper along with an insert or two but I am looking for images of how the set was packed plus a complete list of the documents and parts which accompanied the set. I was never able to figure out how the track and transformer along with the cars were positioned and packaged in the box.

Can someone please provide these images and list of part (envelopes), documents, etc., or provide a link to the packaging images, etc. Thank you.  

Well, there were several sets that included the 520 box cab. The one I know is the X-150 which was an uncatalogued set.

See link below from an auction for this set which has a few pictures. I found this with a google search. I'm sure there's more out there. 

https://www.liveauctioneers.co...014-chun-king-boxcar

Thanks, I've seen this image as well but what I was looking for  images of how the pieces were packed in the set box....for example; was there a second layer with the track, etc? what dividers were used around the cars, transformer, etc.  In other words, when you open the flaps of the box how are things arranged, protected, etc? I know there were no orange/blue boxes within the set box, just dividers.....but there must have been some order as it is a rather deep box for the few pieces involved.  Thanks.

johnstrains posted:

As a Postwar guy have known about the 520 for years but never owned one. Until now. Picked one up the other day and it looks like it just came out of the orange and blue box in 1956. 

They haven't always enjoyed the greatest reputation but these little guys are great pullers and just plain fun.

I always stayed away from the 520. I thought, how chinsey to put a shell over a four driver steamer power block and call it an electric. Plus the prices that were being asked for them 15 to 20 years ago seemed exorbitant for what it was.

Now that the prices are down and more are showing up at shows I gave them a closer look and ended up buying one in April. I agree with johnstrains that there is more to these little locomotives than expected. It was reliable, pulled very well for its size, and just plain looked spunky going down the track.

ebtrr posted:

johnstrains posted:

As a Postwar guy have known about the 520 for years but never owned one. Until now. Picked one up the other day and it looks like it just came out of the orange and blue box in 1956. 

They haven't always enjoyed the greatest reputation but these little guys are great pullers and just plain fun.

I always stayed away from the 520. I thought, how chinsey to put a shell over a four driver steamer power block and call it an electric. Plus the prices that were being asked for them 15 to 20 years ago seemed exorbitant for what it was.

Now that the prices are down and more are showing up at shows I gave them a closer look and ended up buying one in April. I agree with johnstrains that there is more to these little locomotives than expected. It was reliable, pulled very well for its size, and just plain looked spunky going down the track.

 

And as I mentioned in an earlier post, just think of the kit bashing this little loco offers.  A fairly good replica of the Milwaukee Road or Great Northern boxcars can be made using two or three 520s coupled together.  

Johnstrains,

The O gauge track on your layout has a very appealing appearance to me. Could you tell me if it is Lionel new or old, or perhaps Menards brand?

Pete in Kansas posted:

I used to repaint these and sell them at train shows.Below are pictures of the last two i kept. I would drill out the headlights add lenses from a 2350 and put a grain of wheat bulb behind the lens. The 4 bulbs wired together never got too hot and added a nice detail. I also sometimes added horns,a bell, window glass and handrails. I've got one of the K Line units on my bench now to repaint also as a NH.

Late reply here - but those look fantastic!

I wonder if you were behind one I saw on eBay recently - it was in Milwaukee Road colors - but didn't have any lettering. Had a few brass details added I think. Nice - wonder if someone here won it?

Had one years back the motor is very similar to the 2034-100 motor if not the same.That type of motor is very reliable. the pictures in thread of custom painted ones are very very nice indeed.

Thanks for showing them.

Dan Padova posted:

.....And as I mentioned in an earlier post, just think of the kit bashing this little loco offers.  A fairly good replica of the Milwaukee Road or Great Northern boxcars can be made using two or three 520s coupled together.  

Here's my "1560" .

Jim

Jim, that's a fantastic looking locomotive !   Nice work !  Now can you give us some background on the build ?

Roving Sign, I was blessed that Pete from Kansas let me buy both of these from him.  His work is truly amazing.  

Chris Sheldon

"Kind of ironic that such a relatively basic loco should have such a loyal following!"

Box cabs are just inherently appealing. Big ones (love that scratch bashed "1560" above) and small ones. My favorite electric - and one of my favorite locos of any type - is the NYC P-2 box cab, by far - and only partly because it's NYC. The P-2 is sort of the Hudson of electrics - the classiest of its motive power type - and all of them scrapped...

I have 3 old 520 bodies, and probably a donor Williams diesel in a box, and a saw...not sure mine would look as good as the "1560", though.

Rescued Trains posted:

Johnstrains,

The O gauge track on your layout has a very appealing appearance to me. Could you tell me if it is Lionel new or old, or perhaps Menards brand?

Rescued,

That's all plain Lionel tin track. Most of it purchased within the last five years.

Johnstrains, thanks for the response.

There were not enough PW centenary electrics to satisfy the juice itch. It's following is no huge surprise. (When Gramps was questioned why some didn't have pantographs, I was told the two air tanks were swapped for tanks of propane for a generator. Hard to say if "that one" was sprinkled with truth, or if he just wanted me to understand the concept; he liked oddballs and experimentals too     I'd also credit the odd looks to the appeal. It is the VW Bug of Lionels; loved or hated, not much in between, with slightly underestimated abilities.

   A 520 is "the one that got away". I was in elementry school, 4th or 5th grade, saved my odd job and added in my birthday money (first time) and had been eyeballing engines, but was still shy of enough for a 6 driver loco (Ive never been found of later 4 driver "medium sized" steam proportions, switchers and "Old Timers" I like). Some time later while looking through supply  drawers under the shelves, I found what I knew from Gramps house, was a Lionel shipper. I had always loved his boxcabs (a pure red & an "orange" variation) and now held one in my hands with a $20 price on it. A manager saw it as the clerk was ringing it up and said "that's not the right price", I need to call and check that you can pick it up tomorrow. I didn't argue the price laws, $20 was too cheap, and figured I'd get it in the morning at one price or another. I was also waiting for my neighbor that worked there, my pals mom, to take us home.

The next day the manager acted like it never happened. He " had no clue what your talking about". And fearing for my neighbors job, didn't kick up too much fuss. (but once she quit, I'd cough out "liar" whenever I saw him pass by. Funny, who else but a liar would take that from a kid repeatedly )

100 to 1 says he took it home himself for $20  

  Call it passive agressive, or maybe just plain stupid, but I find now I "can't" buy one till I find a deal to sort of equal it, or I'll feel he still kinda "won" with dishonesty   

A little late to the party perhaps, yes, a 5 year old thread, but does the 520 ever truly die? 😁. I recreated my first train set, the 1542 with the 520 box cab, to introduce to my grandchildren.  Hope you like it.

https://youtu.be/uJCHm1pI7dI

On Christmas Day, 1956, Santa had given me my first train, the Lionel 1615 steam switcher set. My little brother had received the Lionel electric “motor” 520 set. We both still have our first trains and still love them. A few years ago, I decided to buy a 520 and its set cars just like my brother’s original set. I enjoy running my 1615 and the recreation of my brother’s set.

Thanks for reviving this thread. The red plastic body of the 520 (which I’ve never seen) was repurposed to be used as the 3535 Security Car with Rotating Searchlight. I acquired one of these recently and didn’t understand what all the tubes on top were meant to be. I may end up putting some headlights on it, but the tubes are all closed so I would need to drill an opening and find some headlight covers.

A true post-war classic.

I have the K-line remake. Neat little buggers for sure.