Prewar Lionel Prototype ?

Looks like a standard 225, minus some parts and a coupler added to the pilot.

I forgot to mention the engine also has what appears to be smoke unit.

Hey Duane,

This is a tough one. I know you and I have talked about some of the stuff Steve had over the years and so yes there is a chance that this might have some heritage as a Lionel mockup, etc. That being said, having worked with a number of items out of the archives, I'm leaning towards a very slim chance. Lionel liked to number prototypes as a four digit 0000 especially in the postwar years. In the prewar years, things were given specific paint markings on the underside which I do not see here. The added parts look like 700E scale Hudson parts, especially the coupler and headlight. There are too many missing things for me to look at this and say "Yup, that's a prototype." You'd have to turn up some kind of documentation or photos that tell that Lionel was considering this design for production before it's got a leg to stand on as a possibility. Even if that turned up, then you have to find a way to prove other than just Steve's word that it was indeed a Lionel mockup.

All that being said and interesting conversation item and from a collection that was wonderful.

Hope you all are well.

Derek

Also, looking at it, have those wheel flanges been turned down to O Scale? Also a shot through the smokebox door at the smoke unit would also be interesting. Looks like someone tried to two rail this thing.

Hey Derek,

Nice to hear from you.......I understand what your saying and respect your opinion. I really wish I could have talked to Steve about this engine. As far as I know he did not customize his trains. He even was against weathering his stuff. That's why I find it hard to believe he messed with the engine. His caretaker told me the only trains Steve would not sell till after he died were his two Vision Line GG1s and the engine we are talking about. I ended up purchasing all three. For some reason this engine was important to Steve and for that alone it's a neat piece to me.........Stay safe my friend.

It looks to me like this loco was converted to two rail, outside third rail. I have a 225 that was converted to an 0-6-0 switcher that way.

Sorry to digress. Was Steve in one of the magazines standing next to his bascule bridge?

Yes Don.......Steve was in 1990 Classic Toy Trains Magazine with his layout when he lived in the Los Angeles area. He later retired to Flagstaff Arizona and that's were I learned of Steve and his incredible model building skills. The whole story is on Notch 6 "The Lionel Employee in the Neighborhood " I think it's episode #103.

Thanks everyone for your help! Enjoy your trains.

@Dwayne B posted:

Yes Don.......Steve was in 1990 Classic Toy Trains Magazine with his layout when he lived in the Los Angeles area. He later retired to Flagstaff Arizona and that's were I learned of Steve and his incredible model building skills. The whole story is on Notch 6 "The Lionel Employee in the Neighborhood " I think it's episode #103.

Thanks everyone for your help! Enjoy your trains.

Thank you. I met Steve many years ago. He came to our museum to visit. His brother Joe was a member.

Joe moved nearby and downsized. The bascule bridge is at another members home layout. That member has passed but layout is still up.