Prewar.

[railfanespee4449]

I got this on Ebay for $125 for a restoration. Here is the description- A 259E 2-4-2 metal ENGINE with all its wheels, trim, droverods, light, and coupler intact. The engine has lots of wear and some surface rust, but is in good physical condition. It LIGHTS and RUNS nicely in forwards and reverse , but would benefit from servicing.
The SET CARS are a 2689W whistle tender (untested), a 654 Shell 3-dome tank car (missing 1 piece of trim), a 652 gondola and a 657 caboose. The cars have all their wheels, journals and couplers. They have lots of wear, worn paint , small dings, and some surface rust.
ALSO INCLUDED are a Lionel 1040 transformer and whistle controller (untested), track clips, a #20 crosstrack, an uncoupling track with controller (cracked cover), a lock-on Type UTC and 14 curved and 6 straight pieces of track.





I need mor info about what to use to clean & lube it, if I should repaint it, and the history of the set.

[Anonymous]

I would try cleaning it up before thinking about painting, I use armor all with a old soft sock, and a small paint bru***o work it into the small crevices to polish my trains I get in for repair. I use labelle oil for the bearings, and a wire brush on my dremel to poli***he trim work on the engine, all the wheels ect. Carefull use of the dremel and you can polish all the brightwork on the engine and cars. I have a BIG track cleaning pad made by LGB for G scale trains that works wonders with the track, its basicly a big eraser but made for scrubing track. If you would like it done by somebody else, email me. I handle all the repair for Charlie Siegel's Train City here in Erie, PA. I can go thru the set and have it done for about $45 plus any parts that may be needed and shipping costs. That includes cleaning the whole set, testing the transformer, cleaning the track, and going thru the locomotive to make sure all the wiring is in good shape, most prewar wiring gets brittle and will short out as the insulation flakes off. Cheers Mike

[railfanespee4449]

This is for a school project- I'm making a documentary about the restoration.

[Anonymous]

Railfan,

The 259E is a really good running locomotive. I gave one to my son (told him it was a baby 400E-note the styling). A lot of the prewar stuff is very worn (at least when I get it).
When you take it apart, check all of the bearing for slop (the wheel bearings can be checked without taking the locomotive apart). All of the bearings, gears, etc. should be easily available from George Tebolt. If the phenolic brush plate is worn where the armature turns in it, a small piece of brass tubing can be epoxied in, and bored to the correct i.d.

Anyway, cleaned, lubed and overhauled if necessary, it should be ready for at least another 60 years of service.

Congratulations!

[1688torpedo]

Hello Railfanespee4449 ! Your 259E is a big brother of the 027 258 tin loco that Lionel made in the late 30's. In those days Lionel made Two versions of just about every thing they made.The Pennsy Torpedo's , Commodore Vanderbilts,Fying yankees and other Engines were made in 0 or 027 to satisy different budgets of the buying public in those times.The 0 gauge engines had larger drivewheels and motors while the 027's had smaller wheels & motors.Also the 259E usually pulled 600 series freight cars while the 258 pulled the 027 tin litho 1600 series freight cars.3 digit numbers were used for 0 gauge while 4 digit numbers were used for 027 trains.Sometimes a dealer or store Like Macy's would have Lionel make up special sets by Changing colors of certain cars or by adding or deleting a car or certain sections of Track.Madison Hardware was famous for having special or made up sets from Lionel. Madison Hardware was probably Joshua Cowens favorite Train Shop as he was Known to go there in his limo and take Lou Shur out to lunch different times of the week.Hope this helps you out[8D].....Keith.

[railfanespee4449]

It will be here any day now. Could anyone put a value on the individual camponnents? I'd like to know