The Lionel Columbia Type 2-4-2-Locomotive No. 239 was available in 1965 and 1966. Released in Sets No. 11540 and No. 11550, it has a die-cast boiler with a plastic motor that is controled by a two position directional unit whose control lever would protrude through the top of the boiler between the two domes. Equipped with a head light and a liquid smoke unit, this locomotive came with a No. 234W tender that has a whistle, and late AAR trucks with one disc coupler.

Why would Lionel equip a die-cast engine with a plastic motor? In 1965, when this engine was produced, the slot car craze was in full swing and Lionel was forced to reduce their line of train sets that were offered due to lagging sales. The top of the line 027 locomotive for this year was the No. 2029 and this would have been the only die-cast engine produced this year had not Lionel also produced a die-cast boiler for this locomotive. There are two variations:

Variation A: Ribbed motor bottom, traction tire on right rear driving wheel, with thick rubber-stamped number on the cab.

Variation B: Same as Variation A except thin rubber-stamped number on cab.

This locomotive was designed to work on O27 Gauge track and it will also run on O Gauge track.