Post War, need a little help, please.

This forum is a great resource, a lot of the contributors do Lionel repairs, me being one of them. If you have a hobby shop near you, ask the owner for recommendations. There are several paperback how to books out there, from getting started to repair manuals. Greenberg publications has a lot of good references to help anyone from the beginner to the pro. 

It's much more likely that you'll find exactly the opposite to be the case.

These take more maintenance than can motors but last a whole bunch longer.  For the most part these are easy to work on.  My oldest locomotive is 81 years old and still runs fine.  OGR has a series of videos on repairs - look for Jim Barett's Backshop series.  Just click on the OGR web store above.

Jason:

I agree with Balshis, post-war engines are much easier to disassemble, service and repair than the new ones. 

But if yours hadn’t been properly maintained by a previous owner then you will need to do some work to get them back into good running condition.  They are much more “user-friendly” than the new ones and you may be able to do much or all of it yourself.  Let us know the numbers on your engines, and if I have the service manual pages I’ll scan and post them for you.

HTH,

Bill

If the locomotives are not already worn out, you should keep them clean and properly lubricated, they will run another life time.  The motor commutator and e-unit fingers will require special cleaning and care.  The smoke unit and whistle will be separate challenges.  In the Lionel service manual at the beginning of the LOC pages there is a 3 or 4 page discussion on how to service and fix the locomotives, which is worth reading.  It has been reproduced in a number of books.

There are basically two types of post war steam locomotives, the larger ones have a separate motor that drives through a worm arrangement.  It provides better performance but requires a little more effort to maintain.  The small locomotives use a motor built between the frame, which is a parallel spur drive arrangement.  This is easier to maintain, but can be very difficult to fix if the motor sides need to be separated.

i have been running my 2046 for 55 years with only routine maintenance.  Lionel sure over built their toys.

Thanks to all, this was exactly what I was looking for.

Today, the line up is a 2018, 2035, and a 2025. That will change as I will be picking up more of these.

I am sure you are all correct on the modern engines being well outside my scope for repairs, whereas the PW should be within my ability, with the right reference, and perhaps a little help / advice along the path.

Thanks!

Cincy, welcome! You and your son have joined the best hobby ever. I second Wood's reccomendation of the greenburgs book. It is the best printed resource available. It was invaluable to me once I got several PW Lionel engines. Have fun!

Repairing postwar engines can be a very educational experience for you and your son.  

The repair manual is beneficial, but not required to repair engines.  Additionally, it is very rare that you will need replacement parts, unless you bought an engine that is missing parts.  In over 60 years of playing with trains, I have had to replace two e-unit drums.

Good luck on your new adventure.

Earl

Part of the charm & fun of postwar (MPC even)  is to be able to work on them yourself

Check out this link

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm

Here is another helpful site.

http://www.themotordoctor.com

franktrain

Again my thanks to each of you.

Amazon will be delivering the Greenburg guide on Monday, I will get started with the basic service work following that. I'm taking the concept that these engines have not been serviced so that is the best course of action, clean and lube, I can work what might not work after that - smoke units, head lamps, etc.

Of the three, only 2018 is really of concern at this point as it sort "screams" its way along that track -- well it did for about 2 feet before we pulled it off line until it can be worked on. The 2025 and 2035 run just fine, good smoke on the 2025, the whistles are little rough but that might just be me -- all our other trains are new MTH PS2/3 with the electronic rather than mechanical sound.

Thanks again, the form is what caused me to explore the PW trains, the first week has already been a learning experience and a lot of fun.

Have a great extended weekend!

quote:

Of the three, only 2018 is really of concern at this point as it sort "screams" its way along that track

The armature bearings are probably dry.

Jason:

I see that you are getting the service manual so I don’t need to scan any pages from mine.  But keep posting if you have any service or repair questions.

Good luck and enjoy the hobby with your son,

Bill

Thanks Bill!