Magnetraction question

Any magnet will slowly lose it's power over time, this is slowed by shorting the magnetic field with metal. It is more a function of the metal in the wheels, good metal will hold the field longer.

Also, any impact can reduce the field, so don't drop it. (I know, we don't want to drop them anyway)

If you want to help maintain the field and store the engine in it's box, slip a thin plate of sheet metal (steel not aluminum) across the drivers before storing it.

Walt I heard instructions like that with the old "C" magnets in science class. My old Lionel engines  still have the magnetic attraction but I do not know if it has been reduced.

Walt:  I'm a bit confused? You state that your S.F. F-3 diesel was purchased in 1949 and has magnatraction.  According to the data that I've read, only the new NW-2 switcher in 1949 had magnatraction.  The S.F. F-3 diesel of that year, # 2333, was not manufactured with magnatraction. It was not until the updated # 2343, and the later #2353, did the F-3 diesel get the magnatraction addition.  So which model do you have? Just curious to know.  Dennis M.

What is Jim's theory on global warming?

Dennis,

 

My older brother told me that our Dad bought all of the train stuff in 1949 so I've always just believed that.  Yes, I have the 2343 so I guess my brother was off a year or so.

 

thanks for pointing it out, especially for some personal reasons!!!

 

- walt

It is very common for people to be 100 percent certain about when trains were purchased, and still be  off by a few years. Those of us who buy out of homes run into this frequently.
As far as magnetraction goes, I don't think Lionel ever recommended using trackor anything else as a keeper. I have never purchased a train that was stored with a keeper (best of my knowledge)
Some engines have stronger magnets than others. At least sometimes that was intentional.
Summary: IMHO, a keeper isn't needed, but would not hurt.

Uh-oh, sounds like you stirred up a family controversy

Chris,

 

It was a few years back but it's now not so much an issue with me anymore.  My brother always claimed that what I now call "The Family Train" is really his because it was bought before I was born, which was in 1949.  He for some reason used to feel (and maybe inside still does without saying so) very strongly that it was his train even though he hasn't cared about it for decades.  By default I became the caretaker of it when my parents died because I was the only one into trains.

 

More than anyone cares to hear I'm sure!

 

- walt

My Uncle's Lionel 202 UP Diesel has had a bent paper clip on the wheels since new,  and it's stronger than the magnetraction in my 736 and 681.

For whatever it's worth, my two PW locomotives with the strongest MagneTraction are my 6220 and my 2032 Erie A-A.  I display them on 027 track, but I have no idea how they were stored before they came into my stewardship.

Permanent magnets don't wear out.  They can degrade if they weren't made correctly, if they are subjected to heat, if they are physically abused.  The soft iron slugs used to "short" the field are not to preserve the magnet they are to keep the stray field from attracting debris.

You look very young for a guy in his 60's!

I would agree.

My 1951 vintage 2046 still has plenty of power in the Magnetraction. And this locomotive spent nearly 40 years sitting unused in a box without any metal under the wheels. 

Yeah, I have the same experience.  A 2321 Train Master that I bought had spent nearly that amount of time packed away, and it takes a noticeable amount of effort to pull it away from the track.

The magnetraction in my 681 Turbine from the early 50s was as strong as ever last time I checked it a couple years ago.  It has always been in its box or on a wooden shelf.  I have done nothing to preserve it.

.....

Dennis