Lionel's #6-8008 - The Cheaper Chessie Steam Special- Classic MPC 4-4-2 Steamer

Lionel's number 8008 steamer, the cheaper Chizzy steam special, on this episode of Toy Train Tips and Tricks. The summer of 1976 had been an exciting time for American rail fans. Not only had dozens, perhaps even a hundred, locomotives of all shapes and sizes been decorated in special paint schemes celebrating America's bicentennial, but the American Freedom Train, a traveling museum of American history led by classic steam locomotives, had toured the nation and had been visited by more than seven million spectators. But Chizzy's system, comprised of the Baltimore and Ohio, Chesapeake and Ohio, and Western Maryland railways, was eyeing a different celebration, the sesquicentennial of the B&O Railroad, America's Several officers for the Chizzy system had suggested that a special steam-powered train would be very appropriate for B&O's birthday as well, but others were skeptical of the cost. The story goes that when the final proposal was presented to CEO Hayes Watkins and 12 other Chizzy system officers, the vote was 12 to 1 against, with only Watkins in support. So therefore, the vote was unanimous and the Chizzy steam special was given the highball. Former Redding T1 class 484 number 2101, which had served as the American Freedom Train number one in 1975 and 76, was selected to power the train. Over the course of 1977 and 1978, the Chizzy steam special operated more than 100 excursion trips over the entire Chizzy system network. As a young lad, I had many encounters with the 2101, both with the American Freedom Train, yep I'm the little guy, and of course the Chizzy steam special. Hey look, there I am again! And the Big T1 was my favorite steam locomotive. When the steamer was destroyed in a roundhouse fire after the 1978 season, I felt I had lost a friend. Former CNO 484 number 614 replaced the 2101 as the Chizzy Safety Express, and later the Family Lines Safety Express as well, until the train's run came to a close in late 1981. In its 1980 catalog, Lionel commemorated the Chizzy steam special with a five-car passenger set, led by the first 284 Berkshire steamer produced since the post-war era. But that wasn't the only Chizzy steamer in the Lionel catalog that year. The number 61052 Chesapeake Flyer starter set was also led by a Chizzy system steamer, a blue 442 with headlight, smoke, and a die-cast shell. The square tender wore a color scheme very reminiscent of the Chizzy steam special, and it also featured the bean can mechanical sound of steam. Similar sets had been a staple of the Lionel catalog since the first Allegheny set was issued in 1971, also with a die-cast 442, headlight, smoke, and Lionel's digital sound of steam, along with a similar collection of rolling stock. These 442s were modified versions of the classic 2018, 2037, and similar 264s of the post-war era, but something was different about this 442. It operated only on DC current. While Lionel had made DC-powered sets throughout the 1970s, in 1980 Lionel wanted to show that DC power was the future, and every starter set locomotive in the 1980 catalog, both steamers and diesels, were designed for DC-only operation. This locomotive, the No. 8008, was the only DC-only 442 steamer that Lionel ever made, and one of the few DC-only steamers with a die-cast shell. In the end, consumers did not agree that DC power was the future, and these locomotives are generally shunned by collectors and operators today. The end result is the No. 8008 is a perfect choice for those of us who love the Chessy Steam Special, but lack the large layout or the large bank account needed to acquire one of the Berkshires or any of the later productions of the Chessy Steam Special. Apparently, there are a number of us in these categories, as this locomotive, and the Tender in particular, can be difficult to find. In fact, with its colorful and generally accurate color scheme, the Tender often sells for more than the steamer itself. Lionel made another Chessy System starter set steamer, the No. 8403, in 1984 and 1985, but this steamer's Tender was decorated with a simple Chessy System text against a blue background, a far cry from the colorful Tender on the 8008. I found this example on eBay. Both the Tender and the Steamer are a little more bagged up than I would prefer, a few scrapes and scruffs, but the asking price of only $25, I couldn't expect them to be pristine. Plus, after a little bit of cleaning and some touch-up, they're gonna look pretty good, I think. The first problem I noticed was a missing roller pickup. In my scrap box are the remaining hulks of several dead Lionel 242 steamers that I've picked up over the years, and this one became my parts donor for this simple project. Using a small screwdriver, just push down and twist the old roller from its mounting. To replace the roller, push down on the copper conductive strip and insert the roller into place. You may need to bend the end of the strip upwards when you're done to help secure the roller into its slot. To access the motor and smoke unit, the shell must be removed. First, remove the single screw from the top of the boiler. I chose to disconnect the side rods, first by removing the two L brackets at the front of the valve gear, and then the screws that attach the top of the valve gear mechanism. For most maintenance chores, these steps are unnecessary, as you will see. Then I removed the screws holding the aluminum mounting plate for the pilot truck. This is a necessary step for most maintenance. You will now have access to the smoke unit and the headlight assembly, and you'll be able to wiggle the motor out of its place as well. To access the motor, rotate the wheels and pull until the valve gear comes free from the steam chest assembly. Now you can clearly see the DC can motor, and note the lack of any type of reverse mechanism. This is because DC motors change direction by polarity changes from the DC power pack itself. Later Lionel and other models do use DC can motors, but they have a circuit board to rectify the AC power and to provide directional control and sometimes even sound. This model uses the same frame as an AC powered version, and you can see where the reverse unit would have been on a standard model. Likewise, the smoke unit and headlight assembly are the same as those used on other MPC era 242 and 442 steamers. In fact, the electrical contacts for the electronic sound of steam system are in place on this unit. The headlight is a push-in type. I've not yet found a direct LED replacement for these. For now, I'm replacing burned out bulbs with examples from my scrap box. With the shell fully separated from the motor, it's a good time to give it a mild bath with lukewarm water and very mild dishwashing soap. This will take off the dust, grease, and grime without harming the paint. I also used a damp cloth to clean any gunky residue from the motor area at this time. Then I tested the headlight and smoke unit assembly to make certain it worked properly. Before testing the motor, I used a quarter inch socket to detach the remaining side rods. That kept them out of the way while the motor was running. I clamped one DC power lead to the frame and touched the other to the pickup rollers, and everything worked. Then I applied a light coat of grease to the gears and worked it in. Then it was time for reassembly. Everything went back together in reverse order. Be sure to ground the headlight and smoke unit assembly to the screw on the aluminum bracket at the front of the locomotive. With the mechanical aspects working well, I turned my attention to cosmetic items. I was not happy with the way the yellow stripe on the locomotive was missing in several places. I decided to use a marker to touch up the stripe. I found this one at Hobby Lobby. The color is simply marked yellow. The shade turns out to be just a touch lighter than the original, but I think it still looks better than the previous condition of my model. Because yellow tends not to cover well, I applied two coats. Likewise, the original blue paint had failed in numerous locations on my model. This paint marker, also from Hobby Lobby, is the navy color. I found this color to be a dead-on match, although the sheen is very glossy. After drying, the glossier parts are hardly noticeable, especially along the edges of the model. And here it is. There are still a few blue spots for me to touch up, but overall, it now looks almost new. And then the classification lights. One was missing. Well, I could have ordered a replacement to match, but I was never a fan of the red lenses anyway. So instead, I removed the remaining red lens and put it in my parts box. I may need it someday. Then I used my Dollar Tree jewel trick and placed two new clear marker jewels on the model. See the video link if you missed this trick before. And there it is. It's not original, but I think it looks much better than it did before. Before we go to the layout, note that there are several variations of the number 8008. The earliest versions, as shown in the catalog, have the yellow stripe continuing through the numbers, with the numbers then appearing as a blue outline. The E-unit lever slot at the top of the boiler is also filled in. Apparently, either Lionel had difficulty with the numbers printing clearly using this method, or the application was a little too expensive. But in any case, they quickly changed the design to a blue cab with yellow printed numbers, still using the filled-in E-unit lever. At some later time, Lionel began simply repainting old versions of the 442 shell with the E-unit slot still intact, as on my model. There does not appear to be any significant price difference between the variations among collectors. The catalog text mentions a red firebox glow effect that would appear on the number 8008, but there's no evidence it was actually produced that way. And now to the layout. First, be sure you are using a DC power source. This video shows how I made my AC to DC conversion box that works for any standard AC transformer. As the video describes, there are times when it's advantageous to run standard AC models on DC power, so this is a handy tool to have available on your railroad. You could modify the locomotive for AC operation with a bridge rectifier, but then it will operate in one direction only. I prefer the flexibility of my conversion box so I can switch between AC and DC power with the flip of a toggle switch. On the layout, the 8008 is a winner. The die-cast shell and single traction tire give it plenty of tractive effort for a starter set locomotive, the can motor provides smooth operation at all speeds, and my model is a prodigious smoker. The bean can mechanical sound of steam is a matter of taste. It may seem silly by today's digital sound standards, but I think any 8-10 year old 45 years ago would have been very happy with the effect. Lionel and other manufacturers have recreated the Chessy Steam Special numerous times over the years, from the highly realistic Lionel imported brass scale models, to whimsical standard gauge editions. For me, Lionel's original 1980 editions still hold a special place in my heart. As for the real locomotive, after the Roundhouse fire, the remaining Hulk of the number 2101 was moved to the B&O Railroad Museum and cosmetically restored into American Freedom Train colors. For now, I can run steam powered excursion trains using a variety of borrowed passenger cars, but I will keep my eyes open for bargains on the original Lionel Chessy Steam Special passenger cars, or perhaps a set of Williams reproductions. Who knows, maybe someday I'll find the original Berkshire Steamer at a price that doesn't make me cringe. There's joy in the hunt. As always, I hope you enjoyed this video as much as I enjoyed making it, and if so, please like the video, share, subscribe, and tell your friends and neighbors. Keep the trains running, whether on AC or DC power, and we'll catch you next time on Toy Train Tips and Tricks.