LIONEL Post War 1055 Texas Special diesel locomotive modification

Where do I find Deramus KATY decals Trinity River Bottoms Boomer?

Wow, that toggle switch looks awful. But so does an E-unit lever. Either way, this engine can’t pull hardly anything forward or reverse.

I would rather swap the chassis out for one from a beat up 218 Santa Fe. They are plentiful and have 2-axle Magne-Traction, 3-position reverse unit and horn.

GregR, You're absolutely correct. This thing can hardly get out of it's own way. I may have a 218 chassis to swap out. Thanks for the suggestion.

Joe, That would be very cool. Let me know when you hear back from your friend. Thanks!!!

Hi Joe,

Thanks for looking into this for me. I have a good friend that is expert at reproducing and painting  O gauge trains. Perhaps I'll give him the red Texas Special shell and see what he comes up with.

Take care, .......Don

@Dontano posted:

GregR, You're absolutely correct. This thing can hardly get out of it's own way. I may have a 218 chassis to swap out. Thanks for the suggestion.

Only thing to keep in mind is that the 218 Santa Fe has a front coupler on it while the 1055 does not, so you'll have to swap the front trucks or remove the coupler from the front truck of the 218.

Don,

I'm in the midst of a 1055 upgrade myself.  I bought a rough #218 and tired #210 set.  Both powered unite have three position reverse units and two axle magnatraction.  The 218 also has a horn.  They will all be custom painted next.

Bill

@Odenville Bill posted:

Don,

I'm in the midst of a 1055 upgrade myself.  I bought a rough #218 and tired #210 set.  Both powered unite have three position reverse units and two axle magnatraction.  The 218 also has a horn.  They will all be custom painted next.

Bill

Bill,

Did you cut that opening out of the front pilot of the 1055?  None of them came that way from the factory from what I understand.

@John Korling. My 1055 has the front coupler with the "enclosed " pilot.  I've never seen one without it. Good to see you posting again!

John

@John Meyncke posted:

@John Korling. My 1055 has the front coupler with the "enclosed " pilot.  I've never seen one without it. Good to see you posting again!

John

That's interesting, I've never seen an original 1055 FA that came with a front coupler, ever.  All the ones I've seen throughout the years, including the original set my uncle got as a kid, all have solid front pilots with no couplers.  Are you sure you're not mixing that one up with the Lionel 210 Texas Special FAs?

It's good to be back, thanks for the return welcome!

Well I'm not too big to admit that I don't know anything... I stand corrected and I feel foolish. I have a 210 Texas Special...not a 1055. @John Korling you are absolutely  correct. Welcome back anyway...😁

John

Another decal idea is some reproduction decals from the 2245. The Katy/ MKT front side.

@John Meyncke posted:

Well I'm not too big to admit that I don't know anything... I stand corrected and I feel foolish. I have a 210 Texas Special...not a 1055. @John Korling you are absolutely  correct. Welcome back anyway...😁

John

No worries at all John, I'm never above being corrected myself if I'm wrong or mistaken, so I was certainly willing to be corrected on the 1055 if I was in fact wrong! 

John H.,

I cut the opening in a #1055 shell for a coupler.  That hole is smaller than the factory hole.  Cut for O31 curves.  That shell is on a #218 chassis.  My #210 dummy got a roller truck and light from a #1055.  One of my #1055 ALCO's is from my first train set.  It remains stock.  The two axle magnatraction lets the 200 series pull my steep grades.  I will paint them green and gray with yellow trim.

Bill

When I was a kid back about 1961 I was in a TG&Y store. They had these sets for $2.99 a piece after Christmas. I bought two for my layout . Ran the **** out of them with no bad experiences. Been looking for that set just because. Bought it today for fifty bucks off eBay.  Comes with loco and three cars in nice shape. Glad to have a childhood friend back and in the collection.

Dontano

I would install a mini slide switch in the rear bulkhead of the loco near the bottom.  I would cut a hole just big enough to let the slide lever move in both directions.  I would glue the slide switch inside the loco with E6000 glue and solder the wires on first.

Charlie