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Good repair manual for prewar locomotives

B Ben78OGR Forum Member

Hi guys,

 

Ive bought a few Lionel prewar locomotives and want to get them running again. The one I got the other day needs the wheels replaced. Does anyone know of a good repair manual? I'd like to buy Greenbergs guide to repairing prewar trains, but there is no way I'm paying $100-$200 for a book. Any ideas. Thanks in advance

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PP Prewar PappyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Ben78:

 I'd like to buy Greenbergs guide to repairing prewar trains, but there is no way I'm paying $100-$200 for a book. Any ideas. Thanks in advance

It is over-rated and over-priced. Plus, it doesn't cover much of anything besides a section on the 700E & Build-A-Loco Motor IMHO. Look for Greenberg's Repair Guide For Postwar Trains. Plus it also covers most all of the accessories. It will cover more of what you're looking for.

PP Prewar PappyOGR Forum Member

Ben 78,

I do not know how long you've been in the hobby or what scale you're enjoying. With careful work you can repair most all without a, "repair manual". You will find the answers to most all of your questions right here on the forum. Do not be afraid to ask. The O-Gauge prewar motors changed very little. Std Gauge made changes early on. You might want to focus on one 10-12 year time frame. At least until you're comfortable. Jeff Kane at the Train Tender is helpful and patient. He has a wheel puller that works great on Std and O-Gauge. It's not cheap, however, you get what you pay for. It may well be the one and only puller you'll ever buy.

trainman713trainman713OGR Forum Member
Start with a cheap, small 0 gauge locomotive.  You will learn a lot from this one restoration. Make paper diagrams or take pictures of anything you take apart.
 
A few books on repair and restoration are beneficial.  I agree, Greenberg's Guide To Lionel Prewar Trains Repair and Operating Manual is overrated.  Ray Plummer's A Beginner's Guide to Repairing Lionel Trains is pretty good.  The library http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm on Olsen's web site is useful.  You can save the PDF's, but you can't print them out.  The wheel puller and press is a big investment unless you plan to do a lot of locos.  Joe Mania at JLM Trains can re-wheel a loco and rebuild the motor for about $65.
 
If you get stuck there are plenty of people here to ask for help.
 
Jeff Davis
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