The Lionel 2341 Jersey Central Lines Train Master is a postwar Lionel diesel locomotive produced in 1956. Based on the Fairbanks-Morse Train Master, the No. 2341 is especially recognizable by its orange body, white Jersey Central Lines lettering and distinctive postwar Lionel styling.
Lionel 2341 at a Glance
- Manufacturer: Lionel
- Catalog number: 2341
- Railroad: Jersey Central Lines
- Prototype: Fairbanks-Morse Train Master
- Era: Postwar Lionel
- Production year: 1956
- Power: Dual motors
- Traction: Magnetraction
- Lighting: Interior lights at both ends
- Couplers: Operating disc couplers
About the Lionel 2341 Train Master
Lionel offered the Jersey Central No. 2341 for only one year, 1956. The locomotive represents the Fairbanks-Morse Train Master diesel and was equipped with two vertical worm-drive motors and Lionel’s Magnetraction system.
Other operating features included a horn, lights at both ends, a three-position directional unit and operating couplers at both ends. The inner axles were made without wheel flanges to allow the long locomotive to negotiate Lionel’s O Gauge curves.
Identifying an Original Lionel 2341
The 2341 used a blue plastic body that Lionel painted orange and marked with white JERSEY CENTRAL LINES lettering. Original examples used heat-stamped lettering rather than modern screen printing.
Collector references note differences in the spacing of the lettering from one side of the locomotive to the other. On some originals, the heat-stamping process also caused the letter J in JERSEY to press noticeably into the plastic. These manufacturing characteristics can help distinguish an original shell from later reproductions.
Lionel 2341 Variations and Condition
Two primary finish variations are documented. One has a high-gloss orange finish, while the other has a duller orange finish. Because polishing or waxing can make a dull-finish locomotive appear glossier, finish alone should be evaluated carefully when identifying a variation.
Another area to inspect is the body around the mounting screw holes at each end. Cracks can develop in these locations, making intact original shells particularly desirable to collectors.
Lionel 2341 Jersey Central Photos
The photographs below show an original Lionel 2341 Jersey Central Lines Train Master.
References and Further Reading
Lionel 2341 Trains and Related Items
Original Lionel 2341 locomotives, replacement parts and related Jersey Central models continue to appear on the collector market. Current eBay listings related to the Lionel 2341 are shown below.
Related Lionel References
- Lionel 2245 Texas Special F3
- Lionel 2341 Jersey Central Train Master
- Browse all Lionel model train references
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 Lionel 2341 Jersey Central FM Licensed Reproduction Box |  LIONEL #2341 JERSEY CENTRAL FM CELEBRATION SERIES |
LIONEL 6-18321 O Gauge Jersey Central Lines FM Trainmaster 2341 RailSounds TMCC
LIONEL -REPLACEMENT BOX FOR POST-WAR 2341 JERSEY CENTRAL FM - NO INSERT- NEW -
Lionel 691PCB1084X Jersey Central FM Sound Chip #2341
Lionel 691PCB1084 Jersey Central FM #2341 Railsounds 4.0 PCB Circuit Board
