Hail, Hail, to the Lionel PW 2046 Engine!

Enjoyed seeing and watching yours, Dave.  They really are cool trains.

Aunts and uncles gave my brother, who is 11 years older than me, a 2046 set for Christmas, when he was a wee boy. It got handed down to me, as no one else wanted the set. Their loss. It is an earlier 3-window version.

I do enjoy modern technology,  but I really love this rugged piece of Americana. I proudly run this 66 year old "toy" for folks, as much as my new ones.

Dave,

Sounds and looks great! Nice looking layout also.

Frank

A truly immortal engine

My brother, who was mostly into pre-war Marx, had a really nice 2046 that we would run when I visited him.  I inherited that engine, along with a couple of other Lionel PW engines, when he passed (his extensive Marx collection went to his kids).  Ran it for a while, but it and the other engines have been in storage for the last few years.  I bought several early TMCC command boards that work with AC engines but never got around to installing them.   Need to find these engines and run them again.

You should glue the jewels back in the marker lights. Other than that, it looks very nice. I have had a lot of these over the years. Nice engine.  Nice layout too.

Really enjoyed the posts and video!  Reminds me of why I love pw lionel.  

I have several. I think it is their best post-war steamer.

I don't have that one, but do have a 675, 2026, 681, 736, and a 224, like the one I got for Christmas in 1946. Also have 3 Flyer postwar steamers. 

the 2046 is a great engine. I've been meaning to add a Berk whistle and boiler front to mine.

I have newer more expensive stuff but my 2046 is a primary loco. Runs great and has childhood memories as well.

One of my favorites.

One of many great PW engines Lionel put out.   The 2046, along with other PW engines and rolling stock will forever have a special place in O gauge that can never be replaced.  Even with the modern motive power I have, and new electronics, command, etc., my PW Lionel has the memories of my dad and I running them together for years.  Now, they are all in my care and shall forever remain, running as they always have and right beside all the other engines I own.

Jesse   TCA   12-68275

Hi Guys,  thanks so much for your kind comments!   I feel fortunate to have a hobby that allows so many ways to enjoy.   While I enjoy the new stuff,  its the MPC/post war era equipment that I feel capable enough to repair and restore and if I can't figure it out, the OGR Forum is the perfect place for answers.

I think this was a Berk shell placed over4-6-4 guts.  Nice looking engine.

I bought a nice one a few years ago. When I was a wee lad, my dad bought me a 2365 C&O GP7 set. It's the very stripped down Geep, no horn, plastic couplers, no fuel tank.  The neighbor kid had a 646 (the O version of the 2046). We did a tug of war and I lost big, the 646 walked away and left my geep spinning its wheels. 

So I might restage the battle on my own layout - I bought a 2365 recently and 'hotrodded it', adding the fuel tank, but loaded with lead shot, and changed out the plastic couplers for operating ones. It pulls much better now. Who will win in this contest.

2046 is a great looking, fine running loco, pulls great. A very clever way to make a small NYC hudson from 736 and 2055 parts.

Jim

Nice looking loco. I have a 2026 that I bought when I got back into the hobby a few years ago. One of my favorites. Lionel built some quality stuff over the years.

The 2046 might have been my favorite PW steamers as a kid. Never had one until a few years ago though. 

Dave, I am having a hard time seeing the detail in your pics but could the main rods be on backwards? They appear to have little or no detail. Maybe its just the lighting. They should have raised edges like the side rods and eccentric rod.

When I restored mine I also had to buy some new valve gear. I noticed the repro gear is now nickel plated vs tin. (Note the color difference from the side rods). A brush plating kit from Caswell fixed that.

Before:

After:

BTW 5340 is from a kit that Charles Ro made for the 2046. I consists of a new shell and 2426 tender. Not sure when it was first offered though as I am not the original purchaser.

Pete

Steamer posted:

the 2046 is a great engine. I've been meaning to add a Berk whistle and boiler front to mine.

I did the same thing.  It's easy, and improves the appearance considerably.

eddie g posted:

You should glue the jewels back in the marker lights. Other than that, it looks very nice. I have had a lot of these over the years. Nice engine.  Nice layout too.

Hi Eddie,

Great catch about the jewels!  I just ordered several parts from the Train Tender and included the jewels, I elected to go with the 24 count package with the bulk rate of 15 cents a piece.

Hope you are doing well!  Dave

Norton posted:

The 2046 might have been my favorite PW steamers as a kid. Never had one until a few years ago though. 

Dave, I am having a hard time seeing the detail in your pics but could the main rods be on backwards? They appear to have little or no detail. Maybe its just the lighting. They should have raised edges like the side rods and eccentric rod.

When I restored mine I also had to buy some new valve gear. I noticed the repro gear is now nickel plated vs tin. (Note the color difference from the side rods). A brush plating kit from Caswell fixed that.

Before:

After:

BTW 5340 is from a kit that Charles Ro made for the 2046. I consists of a new shell and 2426 tender. Not sure when it was first offered though as I am not the original purchaser.

Pete

 

Hi Pete, thanks for the tip on the plating kit.  I may need to try that.  I had to look up which rods were the main rods to answer your question lol.  The detail was just washed out, so the plating kit may be the trick to get them looking like the other rods.  

Really appreciate everyone's comments.  This hobby provides a nice respite from work and other life challenges.

All the best, Dave

Dave, I think you will find the plating kit very useful. I have used it to restore original valve and drive gear that was rusted to like new. Do a few of these and the kit will pay for itself. Also good for plating brass castings where appropiate.

Here is an example of a restoration using orginal parts.

Pete

Norton posted:

When I restored mine I also had to buy some new valve gear. I noticed the repro gear is now nickel plated vs tin. (Note the color difference from the side rods).  

In the early post war era Lionel went to cadmium plating. When it corrodes it gets a yellow or greenish look to it. Cadmium is so toxic that it is rarely used for plating anymore. It was a superior plating for nuts and bolts because of its anti seize and lubricating properties. But no more. The other common platings were/are nickel and zinc. 

I wasn't aware Lionel used cadmium but knew about the use of nickel. Besides the tin plating kit I also have nickel, brass, and copper. You only have to buy one kit. For other metals you just have to get the plating solution and applicating wand.

Caswell has something called Copy Cad which is supposed to be close to cadmium in color but non toxic.

The fasteners on my Norton were cadmium plated. Never ate one but I suspect I was exposed many times. 

Pete