The Lionel 2245 Texas Special is a postwar F3 diesel A-B set produced in 1954 and 1955. Finished in the Texas Special’s distinctive red and white scheme with MKT and Frisco markings, the No. 2245 was cataloged by Lionel as an O27 locomotive and was always sold as an A-B combination.
Lionel 2245 at a Glance
- Manufacturer: Lionel
- Catalog number: 2245
- Train: The Texas Special
- Railroad markings: MKT and Frisco
- Locomotive type: F3 diesel A-B set
- Era: Postwar Lionel
- Production: 1954–1955
- Cataloged gauge: O27
- Power: Single-motor powered A-unit
- Traction: Magnetraction
About the Lionel 2245 Texas Special
The No. 2245 was Lionel’s first F3 A-unit produced with a single motor. Despite having one motor rather than the dual-motor arrangement found in some other Lionel F3s, the powered A-unit was equipped with Magnetraction to improve its pulling ability.
The A-unit also featured an operating horn, three-position E-unit, illuminated headlight and number boards, and an operating front coupler. MKT and Frisco decals appeared below the cab windows. The matching B-unit was unpowered.
Lionel 2245 Production Variations
Collector references document three distinct versions of the 2245 during its two-year production run. Differences in the motor, B-unit portholes, frames and trucks can help identify when a particular set was produced.
1954 Version
The 1954 powered A-unit used a single horizontal motor. Its matching B-unit had open portholes fitted with clear lens inserts.
Early 1955 Version
For early 1955 production, Lionel changed the A-unit to a single vertical motor. The B-unit was also changed: the clear porthole inserts were eliminated and the portholes were molded closed as part of the shell.
Late 1955 Black-Truck Version
Later in 1955, Lionel retained the closed-porthole B-unit and other basic shell characteristics but changed the chassis configuration. These later examples have silver frames with black trucks.
This is the variation shown in the TrainReference photographs below. Collector documentation describes the late-1955 version as the hardest of the three primary 2245 variations to locate.
Identifying a Lionel 2245
Original 2245 sets have red and white painted areas over gray plastic shells. The powered A-unit carries MKT and Frisco markings below the cab windows and has a white star on the nose.
When identifying a 2245, the B-unit portholes provide an especially useful clue. Open portholes with clear inserts indicate the 1954 configuration, while molded closed portholes are associated with 1955 production. On a closed-porthole example, black trucks point to the later 1955 variation.
Lionel 2245 Texas Special Photos
The photographs below show a Lionel 2245 Texas Special A-B set with the closed-porthole B-unit and black trucks associated with late 1955 production.
References and Further Reading
Lionel 2245 Texas Special Trains and Parts
Original Lionel 2245 A-B sets, individual units and replacement parts continue to appear on the collector market. Current eBay listings related to the Lionel 2245 are shown below.
Related Lionel References
- Lionel 2245 Texas Special F3
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