A couple of years ago (before I started building my layout), I had a flood in my basement. While most things were up off the floor, the water rose to the bottom of the box which my original Lionel trains were stored in (a 1962 13008 Super O set). Unfortunately, the bottom of the 637 steamer got wet and I didn’t realize it for a couple of weeks. This is what it looked like...
Based on many comments on the forum, I decided to contact Len Carparelli to see if the engine could be repaired... I sent him some pics of the damage And we discussed my options. From the pics, Len suggested that the damage was pretty bad and a repair might be expensive - more than the engine was worth. Since there is substantial sentimental value in the engine, I sent it to Len for a full inspection and evaluation. After he got the engine on his workbench, he found that the corrosion, while significant, hadn’t attacked the wheels, so he was able to remove all the rust. Len also checked out the motor and did some lube work. Here is the engine after he sent it back...
So, today, for the first time in probably 45 years, my original train set road the rails (well, almost my set - I can’t fine the work caboose from the set, so I substituted my older brother’s rather generic caboose). And, in a break with current operating procedures, I popped an original smoke pellet in the stack - it still works!!!
Thanks Len for a beautiful job!!! Later this week I will pack up the 2360 I bought from Madison Hardware for my mother back around 1980 - the shell needs some TLC!!!
). The sound, overall is rather nostalgic... the engine has that old growl I remember. As for the tender, the whistle is a bit rough, but it was serviced and hasn’t been used in over 40 years. One of these days when I get some time, I’m going to have to look into how the whistle can be serviced.