Lionel 5 steam engine

You could try Hennings Trains in Lansdale.

I will have to try them. Do you know if they do full restoration work or do they only sell parts?

They just serviced the motor for my circa 1918 Lionel 42, whose commutator had come apart.

They installed a new armature and serviced the motor.

Very quick turn around.

Once you get it running post a video ...here is mine running on period split pin track and pulling some 3 rivet freights.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_-221KL1eE

I will give them a call sometime, hopefully tonight. I have purchased parts from them before and they seem very nice and helpful.

                                           Trainfam

Hennings had parts and will do full restorations as well.

Carey Williams posted:

Once you get it running post a video ...here is mine running on period split pin track and pulling some 3 rivet freights.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_-221KL1eE

 

 

Carey - 

You’ve got some great stuff!

Can you explain more about the “split-pin track” ?

Fran McM

Split pin is the first "standard" gauge section track ....please see photos and patents ...center pin is split ..half in each end ...for good contact... very thin and high ties ...no reinforced base ... separate clips to hold rail to ties....many many little pieces ... early track 3 tie per curve ...which would spread in time ...so later 4 ties per curve ..better .. spilt pin causes a high point on the rail ..which causes extra drag on early shoes   which cause the engine / train to slow at each joint ...this whole idea was reformed a bit in 1911/12 with the next version of split rail ...using wide ties ..one season affair by 1913 the track you are more familiar with hit the market and it was off to the races ...as it was much faster to make ..the key to selling more trains ...because you need more track to sell more trains    it's a catch 22.. 

Running on split rail is a challenge as it can be hard too find ... straights are much harder than curves to find , the track was marginal when new and has not improved with age ...but if it was easy everyone would be doing it ...  cheers Carey 

Carey-

Thanks for the additional info regarding the early track!

Wow!

I would appreciate it if you could drop me an e-mail.

 Thanks! 

Fran McM.

Hi everyone, 

I have an update on the number 5. I was able to get the motor running, but it seems to be sputtering a lot i.e. the motor engine has to be pushed down the tracks to run. Should I send it to hennings or can I fix this myself?

Fran McM posted:

They just serviced the motor for my circa 1918 Lionel 42, whose commutator had come apart.

They installed a new armature and serviced the motor.

Very quick turn around.

How much did it cost to have this done and how long did it take to have it repaired?

                                            Trainfam