Hi Guys,
Success! I have been working on restoring a few Lionel 2037 and 2026 engines. I completely cleaned the motors, replaced the brushes, new wires and new smoke units (the resistor types), new bulbs. I uses a dremel tool to clean the valve gears. They are great runners and smokers!.
Here are a few pictures of the 2026 and a movie.
Many thanks to Jeff Kane aka the Train Tender for his fast service on parts.
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Very nice!
Nicely done!.
I love to see old locos restored and running. I don't have a 2037, but coincidentally, I had my 2026 down to run yesterday. It is the first time in about three years and it was a little rough at first. Not the original tender, but a small rail sounds one i made. Also note the tether I added to connect loco and tender pickups to make them run smoother.
And yes, that is a submarine back in the trees behind it. Too long a story to go into now.
Job well done, Brewman1973.
You took great care it seems as the results show.
that video tour around your layout was excellent as is your whole set up. Not too much
in a small area and done to perfection.
Well done! Your layout is very nice ,also! I have a 2026, and it is one of my favorites, rather compact with the cool nickel trim drivers. I love to see them restored!
Hi Guys,
Success! I have been working on restoring a few Lionel 2037 and 2026 engines. I completely cleaned the motors, replaced the brushes, new wires and new smoke units (the resistor types), new bulbs. I uses a dremel tool to clean the valve gears. They are great runners and smokers!.
Here are a few pictures of the 2026 and a movie.
Many thanks to Jeff Kane aka the Train Tender for his fast service on parts.
Very nice work and layout, nice image too.
that looks great! I have a 2026 waiting it's turn in the shop for finial parts (from Jeff) and a decision on a repaint. I like to keep the original paint when I can, but it's borderline.Mine was barely running when I got it (holes worn thru the slide shoes), so till I order replacements I filled the holes with some solder, now it about flies off the rails.
Looks fantastic. Nice photos & video.
Dave,
Looks Fantastic! The extra length of the tender shouts, "I'm a workhorse!!".
"Pappy"
cool cool video.
very very nice. love the smoke.
choo choo man
LOVE IT!
I like the 2026 very much, too, and think the 2-6-2 model with its detailed trailing truck is particularly attractive. Nice job on the restoration!
1948 2-6-2 was my first Lionel engine. I remember looking at it on the carpet layout and noticing the fine detail. I can still smell that engine smoke. I thought it was the greatest engine made. Glad you are fixing them up. Don
Nice job Dave, looks really good.
Great job.
The 2026 is a great looking & running little PW loco; it's the first O gauge locomotive I got as a present from my parents, and I still have it.
Hi guys, thanks so much for your comments it really makes my day! The quality and workmanship of the lionel trains from that era are nothing short of spectacular. The forum is such a great resource for getting ideas for this type of work. I did not need to repaint the shell, it was really dirty, but no rust. It still has the label under the cab roof.
I don't think that the engine was run too much, but I will say (to Don's comment) that it may have been run on a carpet, and the family had a dog or cat, because the wheels seemed to have carpet fibers or pet hairs warped around the axels.
In any event, I think the engine was loved for a long time and its now running again. Ray Plummer would be smiling right now. Three down and three more to do, including my 2037 from my childhood.
Always great to see the old work horses being returned to prime running shape.
quote:I don't think that the engine was run too much, but I will say (to Don's comment) that it may have been run on a carpet, and the family had a dog or cat, because the wheels seemed to have carpet fibers or pet hairs warped around the axels.
In any event, I think the engine was loved for a long time and its now running again.
Fixing up decrepit trains is my favorite part of the hobby. Usually I do not repaint or even touch up. Keep having fun!
Great job! The first postwar set I recieved from my dad's cousin in 1998 was headed up by an early 2026. It's a great little engine; runs smooth, good smoker, and the sound that all that linkage makes; still one of my favorites!
Well done! Your layout is very nice ,also! I have a 2026, and it is one of my favorites, rather compact with the cool nickel trim drivers. I love to see them restored!
Agreed. I love to see the postwar locos running and looking good. I also love the nickel trim drivers. These steamers are typically much smaller than newer locos, but they're all heart. I also like to see the action of the bars on the driving wheels.
Brew,
Nice work - and your layout looks very very nice! Is that "home grown" shelving in the background or something you bought?
The quality and workmanship of the lionel trains from that era are nothing short of spectacular.
Dave, you are so right about this. I recently bought a pair of the little Erie RR ALCos from 1952-54. I'm astounded by how heavy and solidly constructed they are. The dummy B-unit weighs more than my Marx powered E7s! And they weren't even top of the line at the time.
Looks great! Well done!
-Eric Siegel
Great Job!!!
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