David Johnston posted:This is what Lionel sold as an outside third rail shoe for the 701, which would work for all the 227 family of locos. Because of the difference in the wheels, I assume that Lionel intended all the 227 family to run on three rail tubular track with a center rail, so outside third rail would be unnecessary
I installed the shoe on my 231 just to see how it fit. I have never had one on a loco before. It is a one screw installation and it went on easily. The one thing I noted is that the third rail shoe base is close to the frame in some locations. A piece of insulating paper would probably be advisable if I were going to run it on outside third rail.
David,
Thanks for posting that. I've never seen what Lionel's third rail shoe for the 701 looked like. Very interesting that it easily fits the "non-scale" switchers easily, but that goes to show you how interchangeable (for most parts) they were. Not to be judgmental, but I think I would prefer the inside third rail than the outside version.
Tom
