I came across a very nice post war 6220 ATSF bell ringing switcher at my local hobby shop and have been debating adding it to the fleet. After a bunch of “should I?/shouldn’t I?”, I figured it was just too nice to pass up.
This being an earlier production model of the NW2 than the later version I am used to, I got a pretty good education on the differences in a different thread at MTJ.
This is a really sturdy and hefty model, with far superior running characteristics than my 621 Jersey Central. It has super strong magnetraction, whereas the later production Jersey Central has flimsy magnetraction on one of the front axles only. While opinions differ, I do feel the front placement of the drive wheels contributes to the so-so performance of the 621 when compared to the rear drive set up of the 6220.
The detailing is just so much nicer as well:
The 621 has the “thumbtack” style couplers, and the difference in the stamped frame and guard rails is obvious. The rails to the door of the cab are a nice touch.
The 6220 has a lense and light over the cab at the rear. The 621 has just a hole.
Likewise the front lights of the 6220 are a standout, as is the 6220 rail just below the ATSF.
The factory on the far wall has been empty for many years - (as many as I have been working on this layout) - and the owners are wanting to get it rented. They have advertised it by boarding up the windows and painting the contact telephone number on the panels.
OR
The walls I purchased to make that factory were extras left over from Downtown Deco engine house kits, and the Randy sold them to me - wall only - no windows. So I had to improvise and board them up.
The phone number is actually my phone number from the 1950’s when phone numbers had word prefixed such as VAlley Stream -4-1649, or in my case Hillcrest 2-7339.
The engines are great … but I love that stone wall with the ivy or plant life on it ! Tell me about a bell ringing and ringing … my grand kids make me listen to that darn crew talk so much I hear it in my sleep ! [:P] Make it talk pappy … YIKES !
Congratulations! The 6220 and its O-gauge brother the 622 are some of the finest engineered locomotives to come ut in the postwar years. They share many of the good traits with the early diecast frame Alcos, although the Alcos never came with that bell…
That is great Frank. I don’t have the 6220 or the 622…yet. My 621 is as you say, not as detailed. Mine also had the bell removed. I have picked up some parts, but not sure I want them installed. Mine was also missing the rear lense and the front was just a roll of clear plastic shoved in. I am going to install LEDs in both. thinking of doing a detail with adding handrails, etc.
I agree, it’s a nice Engine. I have what I believe is the next iteration of that Switcher - the 623 AT&SF. Same detail, no bell - apparently Lionel also concluded that the bell was annoying (or expensive).
I used to work near some tracks that lead to a truck frame stamping plant, the frames were hauled out daily by the prototype of these switchers, and yep, the bells were always ringing as the switchers shunted cars back and forth to assemble the day’s production into about a 10 or so cars. The bells served to warn both pedestrian and auto traffic which crossed the tracks at several points in the same area. The plant is gone, but the switchers (no bells ringing) still work in the nearby yards.
I could also ‘smell the ozone’ - I like how the passenger cars look behind the engine. That bell ringing didn’t sound too bad to me - was the bell really often removed?
While not prototypical, we run fast and loose here on the Lionel Lines. I don’t have the benefit of having a lot of space, so having a yard where switchers make up the consist and present it to the engine is a pipe dream. In this economy, we put anything in service which can haul a train around the layout.
The bell is drowned out in the video by the roar of the chinczy mike in my camera. As I understand it, the bell was removed by many owners of these “back in the day” because they bell was perceived as annoying.
I just scored a #600 MKT switcher on e-bay today. Looking forward to putting it to work on the ping pong plain division of my Katy Central Line, up in attic heights.
Glad to hear that these are good running locomotives.
Lionel made some beautiful masterpieces during the Post War years and you are now a happy, proud owner of one.
Years ago I could have picked-up the #620 ‘O’ gauge version, like new and all and even though the price was right my pocket had to be tight!
I guess it was not meant to be.
Your classic has all of the detailing and features which make it a high caliber locomotive and it just shows through, in your video, during it’s level, ascending and descending rmaneuvers.
