My father in law recently bought a prewar Lionel Mickey Mouse Circus set. He said he paid a lot of money for it and is scared to run it. Is there a more common engine that I could scavenge the clockwork motor out of so he could run this set without fearing that he will break the spring? We are heading to York next week and would like to know what to look for in advance.
Thanks,
J White
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From my personal observations, any Lionel clockworks are hard to find, and running Lionel clockworks are even more scarce. I can't imagine you would find a Lionel windup that would bolt in place that could be considered "common". Hopefully, some of our members with a better working knowledge of Lionel clockworks will be able to chime in with some advice on compatible motors.
I don't know how much room there is, but it might be possible to find a Marx windup motor that could be retrofitted into the Lionel. The important thing would be to not make any modifications to the Lionel body; make all modifications to the motor, perhaps using custom made motor mounts. Marx windup motors are (mostly) cheap and plentiful. I have a prewar clockwork Lionel Torpedo that I have repowered with a Marx prewar ratchet motor, and it runs very well.
I have one of the shells from the Mickey Mouse style loco and installed a Marx electric motor in it. It took some serious cutting to do it so I doubt a Marx clockwork will fit in that shell.
Steve
Somebody had a red 1511 windup w/whistle w/key and tender for sale in the last few weeks listed on the for sale page. I just contacted him recently to see if it was still available but he has not responded.
Comments about the scarcity of Lionel clockworks is interesting as I have sometimes wondered if such items are not common. I have a LionelTtorpedo with its passenger cars (all nicely repainted) in running order complete with whistle (that works quite well.) How common are these? I am in New Zealand and it is hard to tell from here!
My father in law recently bought a prewar Lionel Mickey Mouse Circus set. He said he paid a lot of money for it and is scared to run it. Is there a more common engine that I could scavenge the clockwork motor out of so he could run this set without fearing that he will break the spring?
I would be more scared for damage due to derailing with a clockwork train then for breaking the spring. I myself would however run it anyway. The fun of running trains is for me greater then the value of a train in a showcase (or in a box).
Regards
Fred
So true. If you have a tight-track with tight curves… clockworks seem to sometimes fly OFF the tracks done they?! I'd be more worried about the "bodies" of trains also.. The wind up motors were built to last! (*or easily replace)
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