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Lionel repair manuals recommendation

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • 140 posts
Lionel repair manuals recommendation
Posted by thankey on Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:58 PM

What books and manuals would you recommend for repair and maintenance of post war Lionel O-27 & O equipment? I have "Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945 - 1969" but it is more diagrams and descriptions than repair tips. I'd like something which is more repair and maintenance oriented, ideally with step by set instructions.

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2,306 posts
Posted by kpolak on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:06 PM

Throughout the Greenberg book, there are trouble shooting tips, and servicing locomotives, accessories, and switches.

Is there a specific question we (the forum) can help with?

Kurt

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Plymouth, MI
  • 1,615 posts
Posted by chuck on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:44 PM

There are repair tips scattered throught the Greenberg book and general repair guidance in the first chapter.  There are other publications on general train repair from Kalmbach (some are probably out of print) and there are two volumes of Dr. Tinkers (aka David Laughridge) that cover most PW repairs.

http://www.drtinkertrains.com/publications.htm 

 

Kalmbach books were done by Ray Plummer, Toy Train Repair made Easy and Beginners Guide to Repairing Lionel Trains. 

When everything else fails, play dead
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2,306 posts
Posted by kpolak on Friday, May 11, 2007 4:33 AM

I was searching the forums for other info, and came across these Kalmbach publications:

Toy Train Repair Made Easy, $16.95
Learn how to take it apart, fix it, rewire it, and make your Lionel train or accessory work again! Step-by-step instructions in this detailed 21-project book can help you get your collection running. By Ray L. Plummer. 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pgs.; 27 color and 114 b&w photos; 23 illus.; softcover.

Beginner's Guide to Repairing Lionel Trains, $15.95
Teaches how to get old Lionel trains running again! Shows how to repair and maintain Lionel O gauge trains built from the turn of the century through the 1970s. Gives detailed explanations with photos and diagrams illustrating easy repair, lubrication, and maintenance tips and techniques. 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pgs.; 150 b&w photos; softcover.

Kurt

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Friday, May 11, 2007 6:28 AM

I've found this forum to be an excellent source of repair knowledge. By far the best toy train forum on the internet. I've gone from being someone who was afraid to work on my trains, to someone who routinely works on them. I have the Chief to thank for that. He sat with me one night and showed me how to disassemble, clean and reassemble a post war 2056 that had not run in decades. He told me we would have that train running in a 1/2 hour and sure enough, we did! He also inadvertantly taught me how to solder by accidently tearing a wire off of a brush holder!

Every once in a while I come upon a problem that I can't figure out. Someone on the forum helps me and the problem is solved. Practice is the best teacher!

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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