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       #Post#: 1058--------------------------------------------------
       Lionel 2345 Western Pacific 1952
       By: bluedragon Date: April 3, 2015, 3:27 am
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       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
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       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
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       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
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       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
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       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
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