Lionel prewar226E Problem

I think the first course of action is to contact TrainZ directly.  See what they say and if they can help you.  I think you assuming they'll reimburse you for the part is presumptuous without at least talking to them.

Marty, I already called them and left a message.

They will usually five a partial refund.

In my dealings earlier this year, they have been pretty responsive and reasonable with partial refunds. They might even have the correct pilot/steam chest casting in their parts inventory.

That being said, if they can provide the part or you golooking for one, pay very close attention the the fine details of the casting. At first glance, you may think its the same casting as a 726 or 736 berk but it isn’t. If you are going to keep it instead or returning it. I’d suggest removing the part and taking multiple pictures of all sides of it. The 226 steam chest is not an easy part to locate and they can get expensive. AFAIK they were never reproduced so you will need to find an original.

I have decided to send it back to them. They are sending me a shipping label.

@eddie g posted:

I have decided to send it back to them. They are sending me a shipping label.

That's what I would've done. Damaged goods= return to seller.

Sorry it did not work out. The prewar #226E is a fantastic locomotive. They are known for running like a Swiss watch. In my opinion the late 30s early 40s before the war was Lionel's high water mark. Everything was made to very high quality. The #226E is my favorite engine Lionel ever made and that includes new and old.

@Dwayne B posted:

Sorry it did not work out. The prewar #226E is a fantastic locomotive. They are known for running like a Swiss watch. In my opinion the late 30s early 40s before the war was Lionel's high water mark. Everything was made to very high quality. The #226E is my favorite engine Lionel ever made and that includes new and old.

Fully agree with this statement. As someone who spent 10 years repairing trains for customers and refurbishing trains for resale at a store, I have rebuilt a lot of postwar and prewar Lionel. My favorite pieces have always been the late 30s to late 40s era models. The quality in engineering, materials, and craftsmanship are unbeatable. The 6 wheel Baldwin disc drive that is used in the 224, 225, 226, and 675 is easily my favorite mechanism.

@Ryan Selvius posted:

Fully agree with this statement. As someone who spent 10 years repairing trains for customers and refurbishing trains for resale at a store, I have rebuilt a lot of postwar and prewar Lionel. My favorite pieces have always been the late 30s to late 40s era models. The quality in engineering, materials, and craftsmanship are unbeatable. The 6 wheel Baldwin disc drive that is used in the 224, 225, 226, and 675 is easily my favorite mechanism.

Couldn't agree more. I have two 224's, a 225 and two 226's. I couldn't get the one 226 I restored to run right after rebuilding the "E" unit, new brush plate, springs, brushes and resurfacing the commutator. The more it ran the more voltage it required, up to 18 on a ZW. Sent the chassis to the Motor Doctor and he rewound the armature, installed a new commutator and revarnished  the field. Now she purr's like a kitten at 11 1/2 volts pulling three passenger cars. It was well worth the $100 he charged me.