There is an estate sale with a large collection of Lionel track, transformers, cars, engines and most contain original boxes.  The auction house is grouping them in lots, so some good deals might be had.  Attachment is PDF of manifest if anyone is interested.

https://lasvegasauction.hibid.com/catalog/524618/sun--10am---silverado-ranch-estate-online-auction-3-17?q=train

Hi! I was wondering if anyone knew how to remove the siderod spacers from a 681 turbine? It’s the screw inserts that go inside the wheels before you put the actual siderod on. Thanks .

Product Review

Our Lionel O gauge Lion Chief Santa Fe train set arrived today. Since our first two Lionel O gauge trains had to be returned, we are thrilled that it works, and it works well.

The tracks took a bit of muscle to assemble, but the locomotive started right up. The three passenger cars light up well, the sounds are clear, and the headlights work.
Both the ad and the box say that it has a smoke function, but it does not.

It's one of Lionel's lower-priced complete train sets, and I feel that I got my money's worth.

Hello!  I'd like to introduce myself... I'm Dennis, I'm 60, and I've loved and owned Lionel O Scale trains nearly my entire life.  They were something I would always make a point to set up around the tree every Christmas and from time to time, but never had the space for a dedicated layout.  When my son was little in the 90's, I purchased newer trains and cars so he could enjoy them (I let my older brother have the stuff we grew up with).

My interest resurfaced when my first grandchild was born a handful of years ago.  I thought it would be great to have him (now them!) experience the thrill of Lionel O trains I had in my youth.  I purchased the new Santa Fe Lion Chief set with Fastrack and bluetooth capabilities.  I really loved it and have since also purchased the Hogwarts set for my wife, as well as many of the relatively newer Lionel cars, mainly ones that have functions that our grandkids would enjoy, such as the searchlight, walking brakeman, chasing gondolas, aquariums, hobo jumper, etc...

I'm now interested in acquiring some of the more complex operating cars, such as the milk car with platform, and horse car with corral, accessories such as crossing gates, and also the old gang car, as well as the newer independent hand cars featuring two Disney characters.  My question is, will these items that were created before the Fastrack/bluetooth system be compatible?  Will the remote control (or phone) be able to regulate speed?  I'm more concerned that running them on new system will cause damage to either the hand/milk/corral cars' motors, or the new transformer.   I do still have an older transformer from the 90s and tubular track, but it would be great if everything would work on the Fastrack. 

Thank you for reading!
Dennis

Disassembled, cleaned and lubed 2689W whistle tender. The motor spins like a top now and no longer howls like a banshee, but there is no whistle. Not sure what I did but it's not obvious to me. The impeller seems tight on the shaft, I pulled it off for maintenance. Put a tissue over the impeller inlet to make sure it was ok and the tissue was sucked in when I hit the whistle button on my transformer.
Thanks in advance.