(DIR) Return Create A Forum - Home --------------------------------------------------------- Lionel Trains (HTM) https://lioneltrains.createaforum.com --------------------------------------------------------- ***************************************************** (DIR) Return to: Postwar Lionel Trains 1945-1969 ***************************************************** #Post#: 1058-------------------------------------------------- Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952 By: bluedragon Date: April 3, 2015, 3:27 am --------------------------------------------------------- I recently purchased a Lionel 2345 AA Western Pacific set from 1952, and noticed the horn was in the non powered unit, and was not working so during my research on goggle, i am seeing that the horn was supposed to me in the powered unit, but i am not sure. So my question is, did Lionel put the horn in the powered or non powered unit of the 2345 WP in 1952, or do i have a bastardized set. If not then what chassis do i have. The powered unit has the two horizontally mounted engines and the eunit. The non powered unit has the horn and pickups. Also, i am reading that maybe the pickups of the powered unit may be a different size from subsequent locomotives i.e. 2353. Thanks... #Post#: 1059-------------------------------------------------- Re: Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952 By: TrainLarry Date: April 3, 2015, 12:21 pm --------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the forum! It seems you have at least the chassis of the 2355 WP F-3 locomotive. The 2355 WP F-3 has the horn in the 'A' non-powered unit as you describe. You need to ascertain whether you have true 2345 shells. See the following descriptions for the differences in the 2345 and 2355 locomotive shells. 2345 (HTM) http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2345 (HTM) http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2345 2355 (HTM) http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2355 (HTM) http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2355 Look carefully at the nose handrails. This is the key to ascertaining what shells you have. You may either have a 2345 shell on a 2355 chassis, or a 2355 locomotive with the wrong numberboards on the nose. Larry #Post#: 1062-------------------------------------------------- Re: Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952 By: bluedragon Date: April 3, 2015, 7:59 pm --------------------------------------------------------- Larry, after doing more research, it appears that i have 2345 shells and 2355 chassis. Attached is a pic which shows the handrails and screened vents of the 2345. So, i guess i need to search for a 2345 chassis. Also, it appears that the 2343 chassis is the same too, Right?? Thanks. Much. Mike [attachment deleted by admin] #Post#: 1063-------------------------------------------------- Re: Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952 By: TrainLarry Date: April 4, 2015, 12:09 am --------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for the picture, Mike. It is possible that your locomotives may have been assembled from spare shells and chassis by a dealer long ago. Dealers were known to make custom trains from spare parts, so occasionally a train is seen that does not appear in any listing, and does not match any known factory variations. It is possible Lionel may have made the locomotive at their factory from spare parts also. Without knowing the history of the locomotive and its' original owner, one can only speculate. The 2343, 2344, and 2345 all used the same chassis and shells. The service manual for these engines is here. (HTM) http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/2355p.htm (HTM) http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/2355p.htm To check the horn, take a fresh battery and touch the bottom of it to the horn itself. Take a length of wire and touch the top of the battery to the horn wire on the relay. The horn should blow. If it does, the relay battery contacts and frame need to be cleaned of any dirt or corrosion. Larry #Post#: 1064-------------------------------------------------- Re: Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952 By: bluedragon Date: April 4, 2015, 1:15 am --------------------------------------------------------- Larry, thanks for the additional info. I also speculated whether or not Lionel may have built it at the factory. I will try to find out more about the history, but i am trying to stay with conventional wisdom about the year 1952. Since i was also born that year. Regards, Mike *****************************************************