Im looking to add a AA set of Lionel Santa Fe F-3's to my collection. I want to get them in good shape and for 300.00 or less, Is this possible??? Im seeing tons of them on ebay but for prices way over my budget. Is there any place where I can by these engines for not such a big bang in the wallet? The thing is, Many people tell me, Buy some junkers off of ebay and fix'em up. I dont really now how to restore loco's like that or anything really, I would just have a hobby shop do that for me. Im only 14 so I really dont know how to do anything like that but would really like to see a pair of those good old warbonnets runnin around my layout. Thanks, Dillon
I do think you can probably find a pretty good set of Lionel postwar Santa Fe F-3's in your price range. You may have to do a little more looking than just e-bay, though. Sunbird Train Mart in Colorado Springs just sent me a flyer with a 2333 A-A (excellent) for $349.00, and a 2353 set (good) that needs a rear coupler on the dummy for $299.00. They are selling a HUGE postwar collection. Phone number is (719) 574-2080. I've been there quite a few times, and they are pretty easy to work with. Not sure about the grades, though. Maybe they could e-mail some pics. They also have a website: www.sunbirdtrainmart.com.
I think with any postwar engine you buy, routine mantainence will be a must, which means taking the shell off, and cleaning, lubing and possibly replacing some parts such as brushes. These are not major repairs, and you should be able to that yourself. I realize you don't want to do that, but it would probably save some money, in lieu of paying the hobby shop to do it.
I hesitate to bring this up, but will anyway. Have you considered a Williams reproduction of the F-3's? With a street price of about $230.00, and free shipping from Justrains, you will have a brand new copy of the original, with perfect paint and a warranty. They do have can motors instead of the open-field motors of postwar Lionel, and an electronic e-unit in place of the mechanical e-unit, but... For the money you would save (using your $300.00 price point, and perhaps taking a postwar unit to a hobby shop for repair), you could purchase the B-unit, also. Just a thought.
As a former kid in the fifties, I recommend the 2243. It has only one motor and is an AB set. But it's a vertical motor and much smoother than the horizontal ones. The truck center bearings are also located farther inboard, letting it clear O27 turnout switch motors without any problem. I got one of the two sets that I have new in 1955; and it still runs perfectly. And I see that a nice set just went for $172.50 on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-POSTWAR-2243-SANTA-FE-F3-AB-UNITS-1567W-BRKUP_W0QQitemZ120114102777QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Two of these and you've got an ABBA, which is how the Santa Fe liked to use them.
Bob Nelson
BNSFreak,
I understand the desire for a postwar Lionel version. I have the 2343 ABA set, which my father gave me, and love them. They will negotiate O-27 curves and switches just fine, and are pretty good pullers. They "growl" a lot, but sure are fun.
If you do find a set in your price range, I would suggest purchasing a Greenberg repair manual, also. You can probably fix any postwar engine with this book as a guide and by asking questions here. The e-unit is the trickiest part of a repair as far as I'm concerned. I would be more concerned about condition of the shells than the motors inside. The shells are difficult to repair.
Hope you can find the one you want in your price range! I think you probably can with a little patience.
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