The Lionel Switcher Type 0-4-0-Locomotive No. 1656 was available in 1948 and 1949. This BLACK painted die-cast boiler came with RED jewels on the front. 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 and there are two electrical receptacles on the 1656M-1 motor to accept electrical plugs from the tender. The left hand plug was for the front electronic coupler and the center plug provided a ground for the motor. This locomotive has a headlight lens and is lighted in the front and there is a nickel ornamental bell with a bracket on top.

The tender is equipped with an operating bell, a working back-up light, wire handrail and came with staple-end trucks that have one electronic coupler. There are two variations:

Variation A: Came with tender No. 2403B that has "LIONEL LINES" whose letters are spaced closely together. This tender is often found with the number "6043B" rubber-stamped on the bottom in error. The correct number should be "6403B".

Variation B: Came with tender No. 2403B that has "LIONEL LINES" whose letters are spaced out across the side. This tender is rubber-stamped "6403B" on the bottom. 1949 Production.

This locomotive was designed to work with O27 track, but will run equally well on the wider radius of O gauge track.