F3's under my tree

artfull dodger posted:

Some classic Lionel 2333 F3's from 1948 under the tree in the first pic, followed by my custom Autism Express ones(2243's both powered).  The front NYC needs a professional repaint, its flaking everywhere, but the trailing unit looks really nice for its age.    Merry Lionel Christmas!    Mike the Aspie

Mike,

Are these the F3's I passed along a couple of years ago?  Nice job, regardless!

Bruce

Great job.

IMHO nothings says Christmas like F3's!!

I think so Bruce, they came from someone here and CJB painting and design did the strip and repaint of them, Both are powered, QSI reverse units that are set up so they start as a pair in the correct direction(one foward and one in reverse on initial start up)

I need to ship the NYC shells to Len Caprelli for restoration this coming spring so I get them back before Christmas 2018.   Unless I find a nice NYC rubber stamped shell at a show after the holidays.  The trailing unit looks nice, no flaking issues, lead unit is horrible, espically the roof.  I have had to touch up lots of areas where the paint completely peeled away.   Need to see if the horn works, I have never tried it.  Even when I serviced the drive system.  Hope to get my ZW tonight.  Picked one up for $35 in really nice shape with a box.   Trying to score the near mint F3's that came in the estate.  They ran in a local jewelry store pulling several red LV hoppers with fake fancy rocks in them.  He hasn't decided if he is going to keep them or not.  He knows I want them though.    Mike the Aspie

artfull dodger posted:

Some classic Lionel 2333 F3's from 1948 under the tree in the first pic, followed by my custom Autism Express ones(2243's both powered).  The front NYC needs a professional repaint, its flaking everywhere, but the trailing unit looks really nice for its age.    Merry Lionel Christmas!    Mike the Aspie

My wife is a Special Needs teacher, retired now.  She is quite impressed with the job you did on the F3s.  She explained the meaning of the puzzle to me, which I should have known.  

I am happy she liked them.  I need to drill out the portholes and pick up some window inserts for them at the next train show I see a parts dealer at.  

Looks Great, cant beat classic Lionel for looks. 

After some TLC in the shop, the custom ones are running as I type this.  Neither had really been run since I got them back from the painter.  Just on display in my train room.  They are just purring now!  Lionel running under the tree and TSO and Manheim Steamroller on the stereo!   Next up is classic Christmas music from the postwar era.