I saw a lionel train set that includes an O-27 1666E prairie steamer. It comes with a lionel lines sheetmetal tender that has no air-whistle. I assumed it was made in the 30’s because of the sheetmetal tender. If anyone could tell me exactly when this engine was made I would be thankful. I was surprized at how smooth this little engine ran after 60 years. It runs about as well as my williams steamer. It has no headlight but it has a bracket to hold one. Would it be easy to replace it?
A price guide is the quickest way to find a date-1946/47.any type of 14 to 16 volt bulb would work.
The 1666E was pre and post war. The one you describe came out in 1937 and was discontinued in 1942 for WW2.
Berk765,
Keep this site in mind for similar questions:
Unfortunately for your particular question, this site has information mostly about post-war trains; but it looks as if you have already received good info.
The 1666E is supposedly one of the smoothest running locomotives of its day. It’s a nice looking loco too. I believe it was available in black or gunmetal gray.
Jim
Hello Berk765!
The Lightbulb number for your 1666E is #432 which is a large globe 12 volt light & was used in many pre-war engines. Jeff Kane at the Train Tender would have the Socket & Light Bulb for you with the Wire also. Easy to replace. Just type in ‘Train Tender’ on your computer address bar & Jeff’s website will come up. Take Care.
Sorry, I forgot to check the prewar listing. the “E” is the clue and I missed it.
Hah! Finally a question i can use my prewar knowledge for. The 1666e was released in 1938. In that year the loco was only available in gun metal gray with the sheetmetal 1689/2689 tender. The 1938 engine also had blackened drivers without nickel tires. The second version released in 1939 was black and was available with the sheetmetal tender again. The same engine was catalogued again in 1940 but it was in this year that the “E” was dropped from the plates. Note that early locos may have 1666 plates and late locos having 1666e plates as lionel used up stock before the war. In 1940/41 the two small ridges ontop of the large dome behind the stack where removed. It is unknown why this was done but i feel it was done to simplify the “cleaning up” of the raw castings. So no 1941 or late 40 versions will show up with these ridges. Some collectors say the ridges were removed in 1940, however i have two boxed original 1940 sets containing locos with ridges. (Im getting a bit technical, haha.) These years the loco was available with the sheetmetal or bakelite 2666t/w. The engine was discontinued in 1942 due to war constraints.
When the engine reemerged in 46’ it had a rounded cab floor. This was the easiest way to distinguish prewar/postwar engines 224/1666, which i may add shared the casting.
The 1666 was again offered in 47 in uncatalogued sets. This version is tough to find as it is rubber stamped and carries the rather homely cast 1 piece bell.
After 1947 the 1666 was dropped from the line to reemerge with major casting mods as the 2026 equipped with smoke.
The casting would be used for the next 50 some years as a plethora of engines including the 2018/2037.
Nicely done Ivesboy!
I have a 1666 I think. My father painted it what I was younger, and I didn’t re-number, so I wasn’t sure about the model. This clears things up!
Thanks,
Kurt
I have several of the 1666’s and I can honestly say, they are simple, nice looking and very strong runners, Jake