221 2-6-4 Adriatic O27 New York Central
The 221 2-6-4 Adriatic O27 New York Central was modeled after the Hudson type locomotive designed by the famous Henry Dreyfuss. This Locomotive was used by the New York Central railroad for their 20th Century Limited during the 1930’s. By leaving off one of the leading truck wheels, Lionel made their version into an Adriatic type. This locomotive was produced on a painted die-cast body, and was available in 1946 and 1947. The silver (221) number is rubber-stamped on the sides of the cab, and the 221 has an ornamental safety valve and sand dome on top, along with a complete set of drive rod connecting the valve gear on the sides. A three position directional unit that is adjustable from the top of the boiler controls the direction of this locomotive. The light in the front has an oversized headlight lens. It came with a 221T or 221W sheet metal tender that has staple-end trucks with one electronic coupler. This locomotive was designed to be used on O27 Gauge track. When operated over O Gauge track it will tend to loose center rail electrical connection when navigating crossovers and the frogs of the No. O22 switches.
Variations
Variation A: Gray body with cast aluminum drivers and a thick pilot. 1946 Production.
Variation B: Same as Variation A except with black drivers.
Variation C: Black body with nickel rimmed drivers and thin pilot.