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Messages - Mike T

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Postwar Lionel Trains 1945-1969 / Gotta love freebies

« on: June 09, 2020, 11:43:25 pm »

While I have chosen prewar OO for my current home layout. A free 2035 set was to hard to turn down. It was literally barn fresh from the original family. They were cleaning out the barn and found the old train set in a tattered, mouse eaten box. Even the marker lights were intact. A basic cleaning of the engine it took off running, smoking and sequencing like its brand new. Same for the whistle. The basic set cars cleaned up nice, but the automatic dump car is in pieces and missing parts. The track was mostly solid rust so they just trashed that. The 1033 still needs to go thru my shops for a new cord and a massive cleaning. The worst was the baggage platform and gatemans shanty, both had mouse nests in them. That was nasty cleaning(done outdoors). But they are clean now and dont stink thankfully. I will use this set under the tree this year and at our Jeep club's xmas party as they are members of the club. Mike the Aspie.
Here is when I got it home

Here is the engine cleaned up and operational

Here is the basic set, cleaned up and ready for more years of enjoyment

Trains Marketplace - Buy & Sell Here! / Lionel Prewar 2 rail OO set

« on: June 09, 2020, 11:10:08 pm »

I have gone with 3 rail for my Prewar OO layout, and would like to swap this 2 rail set for a second 3 rail Hudson to ease wear and tear on my lone engine I can run. Set is has the 004 semi scale NYC Hudson with 004W whistle tender, matching semi scale freight train with one extra car(the black scale SP coal hopper), and small loop(2 straight sections) of Lionel 2 rail track. all the roadbed is warped, but it can be carefully screwed down to a flat board to be usable with some patience and work. The Hudson runs excellent, its frame has been straightened by a gentleman in Arizona. Its not zinc pest that warps these, but the way the boiler is screwed to the light housing, which pulls up on the frame, and pushes down on the pilot via the steps on each side. You only want this screw finger tight, just enough to keep those steps in place. Its not a perfect set, the cab has been renumbered as the stamped number was wore away, but a good runner if you want to add some OO to your layout. Gargraves makes brand new 2 rail track, just no switches. Also open to a clean set of 2343 Santa Fe F3's but mostly looking for a 001 or 002 Hudson with Whistle tender in trade. Thanks Mike the Aspie

Prewar Lionel Trains 1900-1942 / Running my Lionel OO

« on: June 09, 2020, 10:54:33 pm »

I have been picking up some Lionel OO off some online sources other than ebay and have gotten one of my 2 Hudsons set up for 3 rail operation since you cannot get turnouts unless you go the On30 track route. I wanted the vintage look and feel, but had a pair of 2 rail Hudsons(003 full scale and 004 semi scale w/whistle). The 003 was a mess and missing a motor, so I picked up a wreck of a 002 three rail Hudson and used its parts to make the 003 run again but has a 3 rail model. I do still need to swap out the insulated drivers, but I am not using the non derailing feature of my turnouts, so she runs good enough for now. Its a non whistle version so, no need for a tender roller. I still have my 004/004w with full semi scale train and a loop of 2 rail Lionel track that I will probably sell or trade for a 001 Hudson with 001w whistle tender. Anyhow, here is a link to my small OO layout running. Its still a work in progress with more buildings to come and probably a loss of the green grass soon. Mike the Aspie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMFIA9b-nAI

General Model Train Discussions / Re: New user question

« on: May 07, 2017, 08:48:41 am »

Sounds like a "built up" set. The 2026 can be a 2-6-2 or 2-6-4. It never had a 4 wheel pilot truck from the factory, nor will one fit. Good solid entry level engine. There are online guides to what made up each set and from what year. I used to have the book but loaned it out and it hasn't returned yet. Unless the set comes from the original owner, then I look at it as possible assembled from seperate items to make up a set that once exhisted. Replacment part alone are not proof of this. These were toys, parts got broken or lost over the past 50+years. As long as it runs good, that was a fair price for all of that. Mike

General Lionel Model Train Discussion / Re: Eigth Grade Postwar Lionel Project

« on: May 07, 2017, 08:36:14 am »

I would highlight the big news items of that period starting with puffing smoke, the early bulb smokers and later pellet style, Magnatraction how it was beta tested on the 622 NW2 switcher before being unveiled in 1950, The wonderfull F3 that became the icon for that era and most wanted train (Santa Fe version). If you have a Magnatraction engine with good strong magnets, take it and pick it up with the track stuck to the wheels as a demostration. Talk about how plastic replaced tinplate steel in the postwar period. Mention the iconic ZW transformer. If GG1's or steam is your thing, talk about the highlights of those models, talk about how Lionel was once the "right arm" of Christmas. Right up there with Santa Clause and the family tree. You can mention the incredible store window displays of the past holiday seasons, like is seen in the begining of the movie "A Christmas story". Mike

General Lionel Model Train Discussion / Train repairs

« on: May 07, 2017, 08:22:54 am »

I also work on model trains, any scale/brand. I am autistic and struggle to keep a full time job. I repair trains to help support myself. I repaired trains for many years for Harmon's Trains in Arcadia, IN. from Z to G, I will work on them all. Mike

General Lionel Model Train Discussion / Re: Introductions

« on: December 30, 2012, 06:06:50 pm »

Hello, Mike here, 39yrs old. Got my start in model trains around 5yrs old watching grandpa run my fathers old Lionel set from the late 40's. I got my own set, a Tyco HO set unfortunatly, for Christmas the following year. I burnt up the motor in the locomotive the day I got it. Needless to say, grandpa talked to dad and for my birthday the following March I got a MPC era Midnight Flyer 027 train set. When I was 12 I got to take possesion of dad's old set which I still operate to this very day. I am in the process of building a small pre 1950 postwar Lionel layout in our spare room. I fix trains of all scales for the local hobby shop and I have repaired trains for 2 different Lionel shops in the past, Harmon's Trains in Arcadia, IN, and Train City in Erie, PA. Cheers Mike and Michele T

General Lionel Model Train Discussion / Re: Please share your Christmas Holiday Layouts on the Forum!

« on: December 30, 2012, 05:53:08 pm »

Wow, no posts since xmas? Well, here is my 2012 xmas layout, set up on the dining room table as dog hair and open gears dont mix. My father's 1423w set from 1948, still running strong and bringing smiles ever since. Consisting of a 1655 with tinplate whistle tender, Sunoco twin dome tank car, PRR gondola and SP type caboose. Even still using the original 1042 transformer but I have long since upgraded to 031 track and roller type pickups on the locomotive. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mike and Michele T

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