Where's the best place to...Now with Pics!!!

[Anonymous]

...get an old Lionel postwar loco refurbished? I've got a nice 681 Turbine I wouldn't mind getting freshened up along with an old Birkshire with a bent cab roof. I'm interested in getting any worn parts replaced, smoke units running again and maybe a fresh coat of paint.

So I guess I just need three questions answered.
1. How much does it decrease the value to do this?
2. How much would something like this cost?
3. Who will do a great job without charging an arm and a leg?

Thanks guys!

[Prairietype]

I don't have an answer for you, but I would be interested as well, because I have one of those 681's, w/out a tender, and it would be nice to have a spiffy, but old locomotive for the layout. I don't care what it would do to the value, because I paid little for it, and would never expect to get much for it if I were to sell.  Looking nice on the tracks would be really nice.

CTT had a nice article about bringing back a Berk a few years ago. I've though of trying that approach as well.

 

 

 

[jmkk]

Contact me at my email if you have any questions about Repair or Restoration. Yes it will change the value. How much depend on the condition it's in now and what the market is willing to pay. Example if it's in poor condition then you completly restore it you may be " sell " it for more than you paid for it.

[Algonquin]

Hi DaylightFan,

 

I  had an old 681 restored about 10 years ago. The internals had been significantly altered, there was little paint left on the engine and the tender shell was cracked. My local Lionel Dealer (Toys and Trains of Yesteryear- Morton Grove, Illinois) completly restored the engine and tender by repacing all missing parts, repainted the boiler and restamped the 681 lettering, replace the tender shell with a reproduction shell. He also cleaned and lubricated everything and made sure the engine and tender functioned like new. The cost at the time ten years ago was $175.00. The engine still runs and looks great.

The value of my original engine was probably close to parts value. The current value today with reprocuction parts is probably less than $200.00. But I have enjoyed running this engine for ten years and will continue to run it long into the future.

You can try contacting several lionel dealers in your are for estimate. They should also have some examples of their work and references you can check out.

 

Tim

[Anonymous]

Well, I had big plans to take pictures and post them on here to get your opinions. I'll have to do it sometime this week since the weekend seemed to fly by. (What else is new?)

The loco is in better shape than many I've seen. I'd say it's a 6-7 on a 10 scale. Some may say less, I dunno. I guess pics would help. I guess it wouldn't be worth it to have it repainted. I've heard of using petroleum jelly to bring back a shine to the paint. Has anyone else tried this?

[Anonymous]

DaylightFan,

                    Do not use petroleum jelly on the paint.  I tried it on my 681 a few years ago, and I ended up with a black rag and faded paint.  Use original Armor All instead.  I used it on my 736 and 2020 with no ill effects.  Refurbishing a 681 is not difficult at all.  You could do it yourself cheaper than sending it out.  Send me an email and I will walk you through it over email or over the phone if you'd like.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim, you'll probably be hearing from me soon.

Okay, here are the pics. Is it worth it to have it repainted or should I leave it as is?

[choochin3]

That turbine looks good to me.

I'd leave it alone,except a good cleaning and lube.

 

Carl T.

[Anonymous]

That engine looks like a 'classic toy train' to me.

[jmkk]

I repaint all the time because I buy "junkers" . It would be nice to find them cheep and still looking like the one you have. Looks good to me. I would just leave it the way it is.

 Jason

 

[stubbsO]

Yea know, what I did with my 681 that I picked up a year or so ago was to give it a thorough clean and lube, then I ran the snot out of it. Smoke unit took a dump and fixed that, and started to think. I just took a paint pen and touched up all the little chips and stuff. Engine looks like new.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the comments guys.  I guess I'll just clean it up and leave it as is. 

[Jumijo]

Thanks Jim, you'll probably be hearing from me soon.

Okay, here are the pics. Is it worth it to have it repainted or should I leave it as is?

 

I've made engines in worse shape than that look like new with a jar of black paint and a brush. Not difficult at all and you'd never know it wasn't original.