The Lionel New York Central F-3 No. 2333 would be issued with the same number as the more popular Santa Fe when they were cataloged in 1948. This engine was available beginning in February of 1949, and would replaced by the No. 2344 in 1950. This version was not equipped with Magnetraction. Lionel had a problem with the lettering wearing off on this diesel, so sometime in 1949 they began using a heat-stamp to apply this lettering. Previously they had used rubber-stamp for this lettering, however, the lightning stripes would still be applied with a rubber-stamp. These differences account for the variations in this diesel.

This engine has the screens on the roof vents, portholes with convex celluloid lenses, front grab rails, side ladders, electronic couplers on the front ends, and solid rear couplers. This diesel came with a horn that was operated by a D Cell battery, and a three position directional unit whose control lever was adjustable from underneath the chassis. The dual horizontal worm drive motors powered each axle...and they make a neat "growling" sound when operating!

There are three variations:

Variation A: Rubber-stamped lettering (early 1949).

Variation B: Heat-stamped lettering (late 1949).

Variation C: This variation was produced with the RED/WHITE GM decals located above the "BUILT BY LIONEL" lettering on the rear of the engine (early 1949).

All of the Lionel F-3’s are designed to work on the larger radius of O Gauge track. When used with O27 Gauge track this diesel will scrape the switch machine housing on the early version of the No. 1122 O27 Switches when passing through the curved turnout. Evidence of scrapes on the fuel tank of these diesels is a sure indication of operation on O27 track.