Hello all!
My name is James and I live in Monterey CA. I recently got some trains that are the ones my Dad played with when he was a child. Never knew he had these stashed away and his passing has had these fall into my hands. I'm looking to get these running under the family Christmas tree.
Is there a known place or person that is the Go To to see within my area?
I'm hoping to have the black locomotive #671 running with a few of the cars behind it. I have no tracks and don't even know the exact gauge of these pieces.
Is there a way to set-up the power so the train is on a hourly timer for a few minutes?
I don't know if these still work.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Two more pics
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My 671 Turbine and GG1 work fine on 027 track in case you want to run a tighter circle (ie: smaller layout). That being said, I did convert over to the Lionel Fastrack due to the convenience that track offers. On old trains I find I always try to clean as much of the old oils and grease away as possible first, then re-lubricate using Lionel's recommendations as a "suggestion" as there are better lubricants out there today (you can do online searches and find most of the instructions for the trains you own, or similar one, which will give you maintenance information. In regard to the 671 you will need to take off the shell. Back in the day, that was just part and parcel of owning a train, being a little mechanical minded, so many today are not). DO NOT use 3 in 1. No no. I use sewing machine oil for all the locations Lionel says to use oil on and a molly based lubricant where they say to use grease. I've brought back to life some non-running engines from the 20's and 30's this way without anything more then a good cleaning and oiling. Of course on these real old ones once you get it running you find you need to fix other issues like wiring where the insulation has dried up and come off. I replace the insulation with shrink wrap tubing. Saves the original wiring and I only need to unhook one end of the wire to slide the tubing on helping to keep everything straight.
James C.
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!
What a wonderful inheritance, I am sure your father loved his trains.
Train Larry and 70gtvert have given you good information to help you get your trains running, only a couple things I can add.
I have switched over to using Mobil 1 synthetic oil, it is plastic compatable, you get a quart for 5 or 6 dollars instead of a one or two ounce bottle of hobbyist oil for 7 or 8. A quart of Mobil 1 will last you and your friends quite a while.
I DO NOT SUGGEST SEWING MACHINE OIL. Real Sewing machine oil is made from whale oil. Whales are endangered, using or purchasing whale oil products encourages the illegal hunting/murder of whales.
With the old tin plate trains, 3 in 1 or even plain old 30 weight oil were often used for lubricants, but not being plastic compatable, the use eventually leads to the break down of the plastic on post war and newer plastic trains.
Clean your wheels on the locomotive and rolling stock, I use rubbing alcohol, others us smoke fluid.
lubricate all the wheels and axles on your rolling stock as well as your locomotive, will let them roll easier.
If a motor is really dirty, I use contact cleaner on it and the e unit, spraying it thoroughly and then letting it evaporate.
Track and transformers are readily available both new and used.
Happy Rails!
dave
Hey Dave, just to let you know, the Singer sewing machine oil I use is synthetic. No whales died for my trains!