Lionel 8300 2-4-0 steam locomotive

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I have a Lionel 8300 2-4-0 steam locomotive, probably from a Cannonball Express set since I seem to have all of the other cars that came with that set.

8300-loco-side

Unfortunately I’m missing the front boiler cap, and at some point I replaced it with a cap from a film container. Does anyone know where I might be able to get that part?

8300-loco-front

Also, this locomotive has a switch in the back and I don’t remember what the switch does. Reverse direction? Does anyone know?

8300-loco-rear

Thanks!

2

[#welcome]

Try E-Bay that is a starter set engine and you can get another Loco for what a cap would cost you.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=lionel+boiler+cap&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=lionel+8300+boiler+cap&_sacat=0

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=lionel+8300+boiler+cap&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=lionel+8300++&_sacat=0

3

Thanks. I’ll do that. I’d like to keep this set alive since I have the whole set.

4

Just guessin’, but I think that switch may be a two-position E-unit switch, strictly “on-off” for an inexpensive engine like that. Does it run forward-reverse with no “neutral” in between?

5

Thanks. It’s a 3 position switch, so it must be forward, neutral, reverse. I’m going to have to try to run it. My dad probably has some track and a transformer I can use to test it. The only track and transformer I have are from a “new in box” (never used) set, so I don’t want to take them out just to test an old locomotive.

6

I believe that switch may just be a forward/reverse switch with no nuetral.

The nose your missing. I need to look in my parts box in the garage but believe I may have one. I do not believe there is a part source other than highway robbery on the bay.

Mine is silver so may not be what you actually need but if you want it you can have it say for exact postage. You may be able to custom it to fit I don’t know.

7

Thanks. That would be great. It does seem like I might have to buy a whole new locomotive on the evil site. I also notice that people selling trains on that site seem to advertise low prices and then charge ridiculous shipping. I saw a complete set (used) for $40 plus $60 shipping. Yeah right. :slight_smile:

8

Yes it is a manual forward/reverse switch.

9

The boiler front is part #8300-40

Larry

10

Difficult part to find, but S&W has them. If you order one, ask Bill whether the headlight lens is included. You may have to order a seperate part, I think it’s number 8300-025

http://www.sandwparts.com

11

Thanks everyone for the info. I set up a simple track yesterday and ran the locomotive, so at least I know that it works! The switch is forward, neutral, reverse. I’m used to HO where the direction is controlled at the power pack. It’s nice to have neutral so you can leave locomotives on the track without them going anywhere and without DCC. Now that I know the locomotive works I will definitely look for the cap.

12

I was able to find a parts locomotive that had the boiler cap, so I’m all set. My locomotive had the lens. I see that these locomotives come up all the time on the eVil site, and a lot of them are missing the boiler cap and/or lens. There is a lens for sale right now for $1.00 if anyone needs one.