Lionel Electric Trains Identification Guide Sub-Title Bottom of Page

This Identification Guide for Lionel Electric Trains covers the "Post-war Era" only from 1945 until 1969.

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The Lionel No. 53 Rio Grande Snow PlowLIONEL RIO GRANDE SNOW PLOW UNIT No. 53

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The Rio Grande Snow Plow No. 53 A Variation The Rio Grande Snow Plow No. 53 B Variation

The Lionel No. 53 Rio Grande Snow PlowThe No. 53 Rio Grande Snow Plow was created in 1957 when Lionel removed the front coupler from the Gas Vulcan Unit and replaced it with a plow. Lionel only produced this engine for separate sale until 1960. Has a BLACK body and BLACK heat-stamped writing on a YELLOW painted cab. This unit was equipped with a 3-position E-unit that was adjustable from the left side. Has one magnetic tabbed coupler on the rear. There are headlight lenses on each end, but there is no interior light.

 No. 53 Late Classic Box End

There are two variations:
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Variation A: An error on the heat-stamp caused Lionel to print the "a" in "Rio Grande" backwards.
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Variation B: This variation is the rarer and has the "a" oriented properly.
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 No. 53 Front View

As with all of the Vulcan Units the window struts on this engine are often broken or missing altogether.
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