The Lionel Switcher Type 0-4-0-Locomotive No. 1615 was available between 1955 and 1957. This locomotive usually came without marker lights, although many collectors have since added RED jewels to the front of the boiler that has excellent cab interior detail. This engine has a three position directional unit whose control lever protrudes from the top of the boiler right in front of the sand dome. The tender was the No. 1615T that was lettered "LIONEL LINES" and is very light. This causes problems when pushing cars through Lionel’s sharply curved track. We recommend that you add some lead weights to the tender for better operation. The tender came with bar-end trucks and one tabbed coupler. This locomotive was designed to work with O27 track, but will also run on O gauge track.

There are three variations:

Variation A: The number is rubber-stamped in SILVER on the cab and this version has a blackened drawbar for the tender. (1955)

Variation B: The number is heat-stamped in WHITE on the cab and the drawbar is not blackened. (1956-57)

Variation C: Has grab-rails on the front of the boiler and on the top of the tender. This is believed to be the very first production of this locomotive in 1955 and is what is illustrated in this year’s catalog. This variation offers the most similarities with the No. 1656 that was issued six years earlier.