| 2343C Santa Fe F3 Diesel B Unit 1950 - 1955 |  |
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Page Last Updated 3/27/02
| 2343C Santa Fe F3 Diesel B Unit 1950 - 1955 | |
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Page Last Updated 3/27/02
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History
The 2343 Santa Fe F3 B unit of the early and mid-1950s was produced to be
used with either the 2343 or 2353 Santa Fe F3 AA diesels. When a 2343C is coupled
between a pair of AA diesels, the end result is an impressive-looking ABA unit. The
ABA lash-up was both prototypical and a common sight on US railroads during the 1950s and 1960s.
Externally, the 2343C followed the same manufacturing change as the 2343 and 2353. From 1950 thru 1952, the 2343C had wire-cloth roof ventilators -- exactly as those found on the the 2343 F3 AA diesels. For its final three years of production (1953 through 1955), the 2343C had plastic ventilators molded into the body -- just as the 2353 diesel was manufactured. Therefore, if you are looking to match a Santa Fe B unit to an AA diesel combination, there is an early and late version of the 2343C. To this day it remains a mystery as to why Lionel changed the number of the AA unit regarding the ventilator change but not the number of the B unit!
Features
Standard features of the B unit includes: a silver painted shell with red, yellow
and black strips running along the lower portion of each side, non-functional front
and rear die-cast couplers, metal ladder steps on each truck plus roof ventilators.
Each side also has two open portholes with clear -- often yellowed -- plastic lens.
One interesting item to note about the B unit is the lack of a printed roadname on the sides. The B unit carries the famous Indian Head Santa Fe logo on each side, but the actual Santa Fe name does not appear on this diesel.
Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
Wire-Cloth Roof Ventilators - From
1950 through 1952, Lionel used a wire-cloth material for the roof ventilators.
Body-Molded Roof Ventilators -
Shown in the photo above - Beginning in 1953 and continuing
through 1955, the roof ventilators were changed to be molded into the bodies shell.
| 2343C Santa Fe F3 B Unit
Click on each Variation for a Photo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variation | Years | . | Box Type | Years |
| Wire-Cloth Ventilators | 1950 - 1952 | : | Middle Classic | 1950 - 1955 |
| Body-Molded Ventilators | 1953 - 1955 | : | ~ ~ ~ ~ | ~ |
Inventory For Sale
The following inventory is available for sale from our website sponsors.
| 2343C Santa Fe F3 B Unit Click on the sponsors name for contact information. Available inventory as of Wed Sep 8 04:10:36 2010 . | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | Condition | Price | Comments |
| All Aboard Train Shoppe | 7+/OB | $395.00 | This is the later version with the molded roof louvers. This B unit is in great condition, nice and clean and includes all original porthole lens. The silver is clean as are the red and yellow strips. |
| All Aboard Train Shoppe | 9/OB | $495.00 | This B unit looks stunning, almost as if it were produced this year! The silver is clean, vibrant and bright, as well as the yellow and red side strips and decals. This B unit is the later version with molded louvers on the roof. |
Related Paper Products For Sale
The following inventory is available for sale from our website sponsors.
| Click on the Description for purchase details. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Sheet # | Date | Condition | Price | Comments |
| There are no related paper items currently available for sale for this product. | |||||
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This web page is the result of a collaborative effort by individuals who own the websites shown below. They are continually working to present you with accurate information that is both useful and easy to read. Click on their names for available quality postwar Lionel trains and accessories for sale.
Website Information and Design Provided by All Aboard Train Shoppe (www.trainshoppe.com)
Website Review and Organization Provided by Dave's Trains, Inc. (www.davestrains.com)
