The 623 switcher - my first postwar engine!

Nice engine! A bought a 623 a few years ago as my first PW engine as well. Smooth runner and one of my favorites. Congrats.

@yankspride4 posted:

Nice engine! A bought a 623 a few years ago as my first PW engine as well. Smooth runner and one of my favorites. Congrats.

Thanks! It will definitely be a favorite for me too.

A couple things i didn't mention:  I haven't cleaned the shell yet, need to first figure out a safe way to do it. Soap and water, I assume. The two light bulbs were burned. It calls for the 363 bulbs, but after doing some research, I ordered some 1445 instead, for better durability.

You should not wash it with soap and water.  The Santa Fe decal is a water release decal and soap and water may take it off. Try going over it with a soft paint brush. For hard to get places I use Armoral on a q-tip.  

@David Johnston posted:

You should not wash it with soap and water.  The Santa Fe decal is a water release decal and soap and water may take it off. Try going over it with a soft paint brush. For hard to get places I use Armoral on a q-tip.  

Thanks! I did some more searching and started cleaning, very carefully. The letters are cleaning up nicely without any issues so far.

The logo looked like that when I bought the engine. It has a transparent film overlapping it. Could this mean that the original logo has been replaced, and the clear film was supposed to be removed when applying the logo?

Maybe i should look for a replacement logo?

no that is the original decal.  It appears that you have the 10 stantion version which was only made in 1952

@Art Lites posted:

no that is the original decal.  It appears that you have the 10 stantion version which was only made in 1952

Yeah, I figured out there were 3 and 10 stantion variations, but I hadn't figured out the particular year yet. Thanks for the info!

Looks Like a nice find Good luck with your 623, Some photos of your parts if ever needed, Always wanted one.

Good Luck

@Sitka posted:

Looks Like a nice find Good luck with your 623, Some photos of your parts if ever needed, Always wanted one.

Good Luck

Thanks! 

Congratulations. The NW2s are among my favorites and the 623, 624, and 6250 are the best of the lot. While it doesn’t have the bell, that can be a plus or a minus, it does have the best magnatraction along with its die cast frame.  You could only pull about half of those cars with a 622. As for 3 or 10 stanchions, all the diecast NW2s came with ten holes in the shell. Mine all get ten stanchions regardless if they had them originally.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Congratulations. The NW2s are among my favorites and the 623, 624, and 6250 are the best of the lot. While it doesn’t have the bell, that can be a plus or a minus, it does have the best magnatraction along with its die cast frame.  You could only pull about half of those cars with a 622. As for 3 or 10 stanchions, all the diecast NW2s came with ten holes in the shell. Mine all get ten stanchions regardless if they had them originally.

Pete

Thanks! This is my first post-war, first e-unit (my MPC NW2 has only manual switch), my first magnatraction. It is always fun to learn new stuff

That early series of switchers is by far the best ones to have and run. Enjoy.

I also purchased a 623 this year and I love it!
However, it does not have much magnetism left. I had a Magne-Traction engine back in the 1950's and I know that my current 623 engine needs help.
I found an OGR post from a couple of years ago that said, "The magnetized axles loss their properties more easily and are more difficult to maintain/service." Another post said, "It takes a whole  20 seconds to charge the magnets!"
So, is there someone in California that charges Magne-Traction engines or is it something I could do myself?

John, Magne-traction was developed by Lionel on the 622/623 model locomotives. I believe most 623 locos use frame magnets, not axle magnets. When Lionel built a locomotive, they magnetized the truck after it was assembled. The only person I know who had the equipment to magnetize a Lionel truck was Denis Waldron. Denis dies last year and I am not aware that anybody has taken over his business.  You might look for a magnet person, rather than a train person, to see if they can help with remagnetize your locomotive.   First you may want to check that your loco was a truck frame magnetic arrangement and that the magnetic are there.  These should be one magnetic glued into a recess in each end of the truck frame on top.  These magnets are available.

If it turns out that your locomotive does have axle magnetic, Jeff Kane, The Train Tender,  has reproduced then.  You could give Jeff a call and ask him who he might recommend to change the axles. Changing axles does require some special tools to pull and reinstall the wheels. On the 623 getting the worm wheel off and back on the axle can be tricky.

I wonder if the alnico magnet Lionel used could be replaced by a smaller rare earth magnet. They are easier to find these days. One that is the same size would likely be too strong.

David is correct, the 623 went to frame magnets as the magnetic axles were not very effective.

Pete