The Lionel 2-4-2 Locomotive & Vanderbilt Oil Tender ~ RIO GRANDE ~ Rd# 8903 is a ready-to-go model steam locomotive and tender set by Lionel. This replica of the Baldwin Locomotive Works COLUMBIAN is in 1:48 scale and features a black color scheme with details such as light and sound functions. The set includes an analog control system and operates on a 3-rail-2-conductor rail system. With a vintage design from 1986, this collectible piece is perfect for model railroad enthusiasts aged 17 years and up who appreciate the American Railroads franchise.

Railroads that switched from coal to oil burning often modified their tenders to carry and store fuel oil instead of coal. In oil conversions, the coal bunker was typically replaced with a large oil tank in the tender’s bunker area. This tank needed to be heated to keep the oil fluid, especially for heavy fuel oils like #5, which are less volatile than light distillates. Heating coils or other means were installed to prevent “gassing” (fuel vaporization) during storage and transport. The tender’s water capacity remained important, as steam locomotives still required large amounts of water, so many oil-firing tenders retained or even increased water storage. Often with the Locomotive's increased range an Auxiliary-Water-Tender was added to the consist to provide the additional water needed.

Built by Baldwin as an experiment, Baldwin's overall wheelbase and tender coal capacity, in April 1893. Named in honor of the 1893 Columbian Exposition at Chicago, this was intended to be the prototype of a new type of express passenger engine. The 2-4-2 or "Columbia" wheel arrangement met with little success in the US because of its uneasy riding qualities.    Most passenger locomotives of the time were 4-4-0-s, 4-6-0s or 4-4-2s.   In 1898, the Columbia was donated to Columbia University, where it was set up in the vault between Havemeyer Hall and the Engineering Building. 

To see all of our eBay listings, visit:   Ika's Train Store

Note #1: I will combine shipping for multiple items. Please purchase the items but do *NOT* pay. I will review and calculate shipping as close as to what I have to pay. I will then forward an invoice with the adjusted shipping. If you do pay ahead of this recalculation, I will refund the shipping difference as part of preparing the items for shipment.

Note #2: I want you to be happy with your purchase and would appreciate you leaving positive feedback. In the event you are not, please contact me immediately before leaving feedback so we may resolve it. Thank you.  

Note #3: If not previously stated item(s) come from a smoke-free environment with cats.

Note #4: This is a Grandma & Grandpa shop. We have a 4-business day shipping window (this means that if you pay for your order on a Friday, it may not get shipping until the following Thursday). We do combine shipping especially when we are asked about it.

If you want combined shipping, please purchase all your items in one order. If you purchase items in more than one order, send us a message so that we know about the additional items and box the orders together. (When items are bought in multiple orders, we do not always notice they were bought by the same person unless we are notified by the buyer.) We refund extra shipping charges when combined shipping is requested. If we ship items separately, we do not issue a shipping refund.

For our international customers: YES!! we do combine shipping. The most economical way for you to buy multiple items from us is for you to send us a list of the items you want to buy. Do not purchase them as they are listed!! (This leads to higher than necessary fees & shipping.) Send us a complete list of all the items you want. Then we will cancel the listings for the items and turn them into a special listing just for you (We'll send you the listing named before making it active). It will have your full purchase with the correct shipping box size and weight. This saves you on the international fees & shipping.