2 part Assistance

[Anonymous]

I need assistance with two things:

First: I have my original Lionel train set that my parents bought back in 1970 and part of my dad's old lionel set.

My fathers Union Pacific Locomotive works but after awhile it seems like it strains to pull the set of rail cars then just slips. Also my steam locomotive just ceased to work, the lights come on but it doesn't move.
Any help would be appreciated.

Second:
Where can I find a good location other then the local hobby store to pick up foam and other material for build a nice layout?

[lionelsoni]

As for the steam locomotive, you might read the topic "Help on repair of a Lionel 1666 engine", which concerns similar problems with an older locomotive.

It sounds like the UP problem might be the train, not the locomotive, since it is able to slip the wheels. Is everything rolling easily? Modern Lionel cars use "fast angle" wheels, which have a conical tread and are locked to the axles. The axles have needle bearings on the ends and usually turn very freely. Older postwar cars and prewar cars have wheels that turn on the axles. They need (only a drop of) oil between the wheel and axle. Even when properly lubricated they do not turn as easily as the newer wheels.

It would help to know the model numbers of your locomotives especially (2023 for the UP, perhaps?) and either the model numbers or a description of the cars' trucks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for responding to my Post.
My Steam Locomotive has the number 239, the trainset came with a lionel lines coal car, a Lehigh Valley Hopper Car, Lionel Lines Liquid Tanker 6455, Horse Transport Car 6473 And D L & W 6119 Work Caboose.
I only have 4 Lionel Cars of my Father, his sister took the majority of his Lionel trains before my grand mother passed away.
But the UP Locomotive has the number 1065. He has a SUNOCO Oil Tanker (2465), a Pennsylvannia RR Gondola (2452), and SP Caboose 2257.
Thanks for the tips, I try the oil and I'll see if I can get that article. If anything else strikes you feel free to email me. Thanks and Happy New year!

[clinchfieldfan]

A good place to pick up styrofoam for mountian building is one of your local furniture stores. It comes in with the appliances and most places throw it away. I have read in CTT that some modelers use saw dust that they tint. I have never tried it. I buy alot of scenery from Scenic express, they have pretty good prices.

[lionelsoni]

The 239 was made in the mid-sixties, at the end of the postwar period. It uses the "Scout" motor originally designed for a low-cost line of trains later adopted into the regular O27 line. The motor does not have a separate E-unit. Instead, one of the field pieces swivels to pu***wo drums that are also brush holders through a pawl. It could be that your moveable field piece is stuck, or that a brush is missing. The whole mechanism is so weird that you should get a copy of the Greenberg service manual before trying to repair it.

The 1065 is close to the cheapest locomotive that Lionel ever made. It has neither magnetraction nor rubber tires. There is supposed to be a weight riveted to end of the body which might have come out. Aside from cleaning and greasing the gears, restoring or adding to the weight, and not giving it much of a load, there is not much you can do to increase its drawbar pull.