The Lionel Adriatic Type 2-6-4 New York Central Locomotive No. 221 was patterned after the famous Henry Dreyfuss designed Hudson type locomotive used by the New York Central railroad for their 20th Century Limited during the 1930’s. Lionel only left off one of the leading truck wheels making their version into an Adriatic type.

Produced on a painted die-cast body, this locomotive was available in 1946 and 1947. The SILVER number is rubber-stamped on the sides of the cab, and it has ornamental safety valve and sand dome on top, along with a complete set of drive rod connecting valve gear on the sides. A three position directional unit that is adjustable from the top of the boiler controls the direction of this locomotive that is lighted in front through an oversized headlight lens. Came with a 221T or 221W sheet metal tender that have staple-end trucks with one electronic coupler. There are three variations:

Variation A: GRAY body with cast aluminum drivers and a thick pilot. 1946 Production.

Variation B: Same as Variation A except with black drivers.

Variation C: BLACK body with nickel rimmed drivers and thin pilot. 1947 Production.

This locomotive was designed to be used on O27 Gauge track. When operated over O Gauge track it will tend to loose center rail electrical connection when navigating crossovers and the frogs of the No. O22 switches.