Father's 259E childhood trainset

Chris UnderwoodOGR Forum Member

I just recieved from my uncle my father's prewar 259E childhood trainset.

As you can see they are in rough condition, especially the engine. Is there anything else anyone can tell me about this set from the pictures? I noticed the tender is a different color black than the engine. Are they a set? I do know these were made in the 30's and my father was born in 1927 so the dates jive with his childhood.

You can see the engine is missing the front and rear tucks and the gears appear to be in bad shape. I haven't taken it appart yet to see how bad it may be but can anyone tell me what it might cost to get running again? Can I get parts or should I take it to a professional?

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1/15/2311:30 AM

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pdOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Tough to figure out what's what here, but it looks like a mish-mash of stuff. The locomotive looks to be gunmetal, but the tender is black. They are unlikely to have been sold together (unless the tender is a repaint and was originally gunmetal). The #654 tank car, the #651 flat car, and the #657 caboose may have been the original consist (all sold as O-gauge), but the #1679 box car is most likely an add-on (originally sold as O-27). The #651 flat has had one truck replaced with a postwar version (although retaining its latch-style coupler).

All of the missing parts are readily available from 3rd-party suppliers (loco pilot truck, loco pony truck, tank car handrails/stanchions, box car door, flat car posts, etc.), and a replacement original truck for the flat car can be found on the online auction sites.

So, a good project for this winter.

1/15/231:43 PM

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franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I think the engine is a 259e. Just google 259e set and you will find info on that easily.

1/15/233:56 PM

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Chris UnderwoodOGR Forum Member

@franktrain posted:
I think the engine is a 259e. Just google 259e set and you will find info on that easily.

Thanks franktrain. Yes, 259E. I don't know where that last number came from. confused Fixed the post. I have found a lot since I made the post. Still on the fence if I should try and repair the engine. I will probably open up tonight to see how bad it is.

1/15/235:30 PM

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gene maagOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

259e's are fun to work with and there are plenty of parts around. I have 3 I restored and 3 more in the work box waiting for me to bring back to life. The Grey one I have had since I was a Kid, it was pretty beat up but I restored with a little work and they all run good and should last another 70 years.