First train set found

Very cool! I wish that I had my old original trains, of course I know where they went, I traded them all for useless stuff. BUT.... I have since replaced everything that I cared about and bought so much more. Enjoy!

Jeff

If you're interested,  I have a 6465 tank car knocking about the residence.   Drop me an email (address in profile).  

Mitch 

Those are the best finds! probably just needs a little lubrication.

I still have my first set too, came from Montgomery Wards around 1962. Doesn't currently run either, needs some love.

Great find !!  Clean it, lube it and run it. You probably can find parts for the Culvert loader. When Uncle Sam called I gave my original set to my 4 nephews and the youngest has it for his boys. I have the 2018 engine I bought to go with it so a lot there.

Hey y'all,

I cleaned and oiled the wheels on all the old rolling stock.  The searchlight car (always a favorite) was ready for action too.  I opened the Alco to look-see.  I added a modest amount of Lionel oil to the top of the motor where it says "OIL".  Nothing.  After a few days, a little more oil and still nothing.  Is the motor stuck?  I know how to fix a Model T Ford that's stuck but I don't think it's a good idea for my first Lionel engine.  I have transformer voltage at the top of the motor.  What would you do next?

take the two screws out of the top brush plate. make sure to keep track of brushes and springs

as they tend to "spring" out. turn armature out of motor. Now turn the wheels on the motor to make sure they

turn freely. Clean commutator face, brushes. drop of oil where commutator shaft sits into motor. grease gears

in gear box, grease worm gear on commutator shaft. reinsert commutator/shaft back into motor. clean brush plate

and brush tubes. reinstall brushes, brush plate and screws. make sure all wire connections are soldered tight.

If there is an e-unit. I would 1rst spray it with CRC electronic cleaner(available at Walmart in automotive section, red can).

let dry, test on track. Usually I have good luck with that CRC cleaner and sometimes all is well after that. worse case scenario

you may have to pull e-unit apart and clean drum inside of e-unit. Have fun and goodluck

Popi

If things are not moving, don't leave the voltage up for very long. Bad things can happen! Meanwhile, probably time the look at the brushes, clean the commutator (where the brushes touch), change the grease on the worm gear (you have to take the brush plate off, which may require unsoldering a wire) and the reverse unit (E-unit). For the E-unit, it is best to find someone who has done this before.

Chris

LVHR

Thanks guys,

 I've read this can be a difficult motor to work on.  I have seen mention of putting a bag over the motor to catch parts.  Is there a "this goes here" chart?  It's been over 50 years since I took apart a train.  I still have a shoebox containing much of the last locomotive.  As I remember, this engine only went forward.  Is an upgrade a reasonable possibility?  A working engine like mine can be found on E*** for $50-60.  Because I value this engine more than its actual worth should I send it to a pro for all of above?  What does that cost?

Odenville Bill posted:

Thanks guys,

 I've read this can be a difficult motor to work on.  I have seen mention of putting a bag over the motor to catch parts.  Is there a "this goes here" chart?  It's been over 50 years since I took apart a train.  I still have a shoebox containing much of the last locomotive.  As I remember, this engine only went forward.  Is an upgrade a reasonable possibility?  A working engine like mine can be found on E*** for $50-60.  Because I value this engine more than its actual worth should I send it to a pro for all of above?  What does that cost?

Bill

I've done repairs for quite sometime and have had other forum members send me their items for repair. If your willing to ship me

your loco. I can repair it and send it back.

Popi

great find! make sure the pickup rollers are clean. These old trains are pretty easy to work on, but if you don't feel comfortable, I'd take Popi up on his offer. Pick up a copy of the Lionel repair manual, it'll show you part numbers for anything missing. Then call Jeff Kane. 

http://www.ttender.com/

Thanks guys.  Popi, I'll send an email.

for those that have enquiring minds!!

Bill sent me the 1055. I pulled her apart and the motor was seized up. a little gentle persuasion and she came apart.

she will need a good good cleaning and oil and lube job. I think she will live again.

This is a heartwarming post.  It got me thinking of my first train set.

Dad was very busy with his business, but he did make time for my brother, sister and me (I'm the eldest) for trains.  (Fishing too!).  It was an early '70's Christmas ( I would have been around 5 years old )  and we received an H.O. set.  It was too small for our little hands to manage so it was promptly returned for a Lionel Set, purchased from Handicraft Supplies.  The little steamer did many trips around a Figure 8 layout on a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood on the floor.  A few years later dad bought a diesel engine.  Even in the mid-to-late '70's I think dad paid close to $100 for the diesel engine - it was some of the last Lionel items Handicraft Supplies sold.

These gems take place on a shelf now as I run TMCC with my grandchildren.  Dad will be gone 10 years this year and these Lionel trains still have a place in my heart.  Dad must have sent in the 'warranty' card for the original steam set, but I still have the 'manual'.  For my fellow Canadian friends, I've included some photos of the 'manual' showing the Canadian Lionel dealers from long ago..........

beautiful memories , very nice trains

Nothing to stop you from running those engines!  Flick the switch to CONN (or is it CONV?) and crank 'em up!

Might want to clean/lube them first.

Odenville Bill:

You are so fortunate to have found your ORIGINAL set!!

I'll bet Popi will have that up and running in no time. Whatever you do, DON'T sell the set! It is an irreplaceable part of your life.

All the best!

Andre

If you need a good repair person, I recommend Bob Bart.

724-736-0488

Perryopolis, PA.

nice! back in 2020 early pandemic, my brother was stuck in ny.  went to his ex wifes house to fix something and found our christmas present from 1966, a lionel lines 2037 2-6-4 freight set. brought back to me, all original cars, track and transformer. 1 broken coulper and a missing break wheel, not bad for 55 yrs old.  we set it up, transformer dead. had an old bachmann laying around, the loco budged. so he took it family hobby in naples. they cleaned it, lubed it and sold him a new mrc tech 4 600 transformer, did'nt need anything bigger. less than an hour and the cost of the transformer later, it was 1966 again! still running, lighting and smoking to this day