Lionel 259e "Restoration"

Brian,

I'll be watching for updates on your 259e project.  

I just sent off a check for one, so this is a timely thread for me.

Dave

Luckily for you I work fast

So I started off stripping the paint off with some Jasco paint remover, which, if you haven't heard of it I highly suggest it! even 3 layers of paint will come off while you're still applying the stuff with the brush!

Here you can see the cab & frame haven't been stripped yet, the boiler parts have, and the steamchest is soaking. I decided to try something a little different this time because the Jasco is difficult to remove with a wire brush and a rag, so after stripping I sprayed with Carb cleaner vigorously until all the goop was gone. All the parts came out very shiny, I was surprised because when I first got it there was a lot of rust (I painted over the areas that were rusty or missing paint with a similar grey color I found at the model shop).

Everything is ready to paint!

The priming gets done without any problems!

After priming all the parts go into my super high tech industrial grade paint oven to bake, which is where they're at right now

And now I just have to wait for 20 minutes.....

Those ovens work great. Looking good so far.

Just painted the cowcatcher red and popped it back in the oven, next will be the black.

Brian, That's looking great so far.  Just keep an eye out for the early 259/259E frame that uses the early red wheels.  It won't take long to find on the bay.

Here is one I got to Restore, but ended up not repainting after all.  I was able to clean most of it up pretty good.  I have added the copper smoke stack since this photo, but still need to purchase the handrails.

Before

After:

I did respray the cow catcher since it was very rusty.  It runes really well now.

I love when you think something needs a total restore, and it turns out it was just dirty  Your 259 looks nice! I hope you can get all the parts for it soon

I saw a motor last night that looked like a 259 motor, was completely rebuilt for $50... Wish I woulda bought it now.

So after 1 coat of red and 2 of black and an overall time of about an hour and 20 minutes in the oven, I removed the masking tape and kind of piled the parts on top of each-other to make a small mock up of the final product (because I'm IMPATIENT!) and I gotta say I'm pretty happy with the results so far and I'm really liking the red cowcatcher.

Now if only I can get the wheels... Does anybody have a 259 motor they'd be willing to trade/sell?

There is one on ebay right now (though I  notice the rear mount seems to be missing).... if you don't buy it, I probably will   It'll fit the red spoke wheels you took off the other motor.  Now one point though, that other motor the wheels came on would be the right one for the early 262....

How much is that motor going for? Can I get a link to it?

The one I have does appear to go to a 262.

Here's the body all re-assembled and sitting atop the non-fitting motor and wheels purely for aesthetics.

Little Testors metallic copper on the bell and the body was mostly finished, I didn't do the smokebox cover yet because of the plastic headlight piece (Didn't want to bake that...) so I'll paint it to-morrow.

That looks real good!

I think this should get you to the motor I saw.  I needs cleaned up but should be useable at $15.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL...;hash=item58abdaac6b

I'm not sure I know enough yet about repairing motors to get one that barely works, also, I don't have the driving rod connecting pieces for the red wheels (not sure what the technical term is). I might sell the motor I have and get one in full working order.

EDIT:

So I decided to just paint the wheels... actually turned out pretty good, I might just keep it like this.

Finished painting the tender and the smokebox door this morning, so here is the final product!

Brian,

the 259 look great!

You did a very nice job, the wheels look good!

Happy rails!

Dave

Brian

Very, very nice. The red drivers shout tin plate.

Steve

Thanks!

I really love the earlier styles, but the 259e was quite a bit cheaper than some of the more colorful locomotives. I wish the other wheels woulda' fit it but I think this still looks a lot better than flat black.  I don't think it hurts sometimes to get a little artsy with a restoration.

Brian, That looks great.

Look at it this way, since you already have that other motor, you can look for a 261 or 262 to put it in

Funny thing is I saw a 261 shell (mostly complete) for $4 at the meet, but for some reason I bought a 1688 shell instead... maybe if I'm lucky it'll be there next month.

This was the first time I posted a full restoration online, glad you all liked it! I had fun doing it  

She came out awesome Brian.

Looks great Brian!!!

Thanks guys, I cleaned up the motor too and she runs a lot better now

now tht sucks...another must have on my ever growing wish list. That locomotive is beautiful! I had a 262 set my Wife bought me a few years ago I had to sell. Need to get aonther one after seeing your thread.

wish I had been there!