Hobbies And Interests
Prairie Type 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive
The Prairie Type 2-6-2 steam locomotive was developed in the 1880s. This locomotive was used around the world and in the U.S. Deployed along farming and prairie lines, the locomotive was nicknamed the Prairie locomotive. The engine design was based on the Mogul engine series and was known for reliability problems. The locomotive was produced by Chicago, Burlington &Quincy Railroad in 1900 and was used commercially throughout the early to mid 20th century.
Lionel 2466W Tender
The Lionel 2466W was an early design tender for the Prairie Type 2-6-2 locomotive. The 2466W tender has nickel rims and wheels with the word "Baldwin" embossed on them. Other features include rear deck handrails, staple-end trucks and electronic couplers. Several variations of the 2466W tender were developed. The "A" variation tender cars have "675" printed on the boiler and "Lionel" printed on the tender. Variation "B" has a smoke stack made of aluminum and "5690" printed on the sides.
Lionel 2466WX Tender
The Lionel 2466WX tender differs slightly from the 2466W tender with magnetic couplers and "PRR" printed on the sides. The 2465WX tender was an upgrade of the classic 2466W tender and was produced in 1947 through 1949. Like the 2466W, the 2466WX has a whistle component and can also be used with different Lionel steam engine locomotives, such as the Lionel 2025 engine.
The Purpose of Tenders
Train engine tenders carried coal and helped provide support for engines when traveling around curved track. The tender carried coal in a central area known as the "fuel bunker." A U-shaped water bunker surrounded the fuel bunker. The tender carried thousands of gallons of water to make steam which drove the engine. In a Lionel model railroad engine, the tender does not perform any action other than act as a decoration although the 2466W and 2466WX have whistle components.