Pre war 259E Project

In my opinion, that locomotive doesn't need a repaint (at least based on your photo).  For as old as it is, it looks to be in great shape.

That's a very nice looking engine for one that's about 80 years old.  IMHO I suggest that it would be fine if just cleaned up.  Whatever you do, have fun with it.

 

BTW, my 259E, also in gunmetal, is one of the very best-running locos I have.  It's very smooth and quite quiet, as well as never having to need any work at all done on it.

From what I see, I'd leave the paint alone.

Yes, I have two of them, both good runners and they look best in the original paint.

Pennsydave, I restored one of these awhile back. It started life wearing gunmetal. I decided a steamer looks better in black (At that time). But fast forward to now, whenever i look at mine,  i cant help but to think I should've painted it gunmetal.

 

Before

and after

 

I say leave it as is.

 

If you decide to repaint, here are some sources:  http://henningstrains.com/CollectorColor.html

http://www.ttender.com/partslist.html

 

I would call both to see which color they recommend to best match.

 

Good luck and post some pictures of the final outcome!

that looks too good to repaint! I know I wouldn't.

I agree with the others; I don't think it needs a re-paint.

 

Jeff Davis

Dave,

I agree with the others except I would buff not polish the paint back.

 

ALSO, NEVER EVER re-bend tabs or attempt to straighten them. Gently put a slight twist on each. Try this when you take more prewar apart. Carefully preheat each tab with your soldering iron just before you attempt dis-assembly. This allows tab to become less fragile.

 

"Pappy"

 

Thanks for that tip! Don't know why I didn't think of that about a hundred broken tabs ago.

As everyone else said, don't repaint that!

 

I have the black version on my workbench right now. I can't wait to get it running.

Looks like I just clean it and see what happens.  I ordered some new brushes and few other minor items from the Train Tender.  Will post pictures when it is done.  

   pennsydave,

    I agree with the others, looks to be in pretty good shape and I like the original Gun Metal Gray on these old Tin Plate engines better than anything! The Original  264 Lionel gun Metal Gray on the left, the MTH P2 Gray on the Right. 

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

   I think it looks pretty good in its original paint. What is the verdict...did you decide yet? You should be able to find a tender pretty easily.

 

Tom

Unless the paint is in excellent condition I usually opt to repaint, but I like my engines (and accessories) to shine like new

 

But that's just me, wish I coulda found a picture of my 259e that I repainted black & red... I did a post on it a while back though if you're interested: 

 

https://ogrforum.com/t...nel-259e-restoration

Since you asked: It looks too good to repaint.

Well I decided not to repaint it, just cleaned it up well and it is now back together, except for the motor.  I discovered after putting the motor in and installing the rods the wheels would not move and noticed the wheels are not 'quartered'.  So now I have to pull some wheels.  Also when you take the armature out of the 259, you must make sure the front and rear set of wheels are rotated properly for the rods, since the wheels can turn independently.  Has set me back a bit what with all the Christmas stuff going on.  

 

The paint is in good shape however there are a lot of scratches on the entire engine and paint areas where it is missing.   It still looks okay to the casual observer. 

 

Note:  I only way I found my writeup is by going to my 'member's listing.  The thread no longer appears in proper chronological order.  I am still getting emails of the most recent postings though.  

I read somewhere about those pesky metel tabs.

when taking apart, if the tab was originaly bent,

when putting it back together, twist it.

if its twisted in one direction, twist it in the other

direction when putting it back together.

I think the logic here is that bending it the same way

everytime will eventually break off. if you bend it

or twist it in a different direction, the chances of break

are minimized.

 

 

If it's in good shape run it like it is...I like to repaint the beat up oldies...Here are three of my 259E's...I use Draino to remove the paint, and paint with Krylon spray paint and bake it at 200 degrees. They come to life again.

Wow, those guys are beautiful.  And they all run well I suppose.  Very cool.

From what I understand, the paint cannot be duplicated exactly.  Those old gun metal locos are loaded with lead paint.  That's what makes that color so special.

There's actually a paint I purchased at NAPA to repaint my engine block that looks strikingly similar to Lionel Gunmetal Grey, it's called cast coat iron by Duplicolor.