How do I clean a 3472 White Oper. Milk Car?

[FEClionel]

Just purchased a 3472 in fair to good condition. The good news is that it works however as most of these are its yellowed and stained with dirt. Is there any way to make it brighter and clean? Any helkp would be great. i also got the stand which I will repaint in correct color(rusted and dirty) however everything came in the orginal box. Love the old stuff and can't wait to make it work and look great again!

[brianel027]

The difficult part in cleaning any of the older postwar cars FEC is always the lettering and especially old decals. I've been cleaning older cars with lukewarm water and dishsoap for some time and it works well. I use a toothbru***o scrub details, but be careful about scrubbing lettering at any extended length. I and others have also used lemon Pledge, which does clean up some residue and puts a nice sheen on the item.
Also be advised that many of the milk cars came in several shades of white, cream or even ivory. Early ones such as the 3462 were actually painted. Lionel started saving money with the 3472 by using the molded color in the shell and not painting it. So there may undoubtedly be some discoloration and some dirt on your milk car... but the car may also be more of a cream or ivory shade of white than you suspect.
There was a company making a cleaning solution for old trains, I believe it was Hamptons, but I'm going by memory here. They did advertise in the train mags. Probably parts dealers would carry something like that.
You may want to consider getting a CTT subscription if you don't already (unpaid endorsement here). I know recently there was a feature article on Lionel milk cars... a month or two ago. And there have been articles on cleaning old trains... again I think there was one recently, but I don't have the mags in front of me right now. That, and I sometimes get stories mixed up between CTT and the other magazine, OGR (sorry CTT guys... just too many things to remember!).
Looks like you've been having some fun FEC finding some older trains! Part of the fun is looking... but even more fun when you find what you want and at a good price too!!

brianel, Agent 027

[FEClionel]

Brian,
Thanks for your help or should I say continued help. It truly has been a lot of finding new cars and other items! I got the milk car and platform in the box in good condition for $30 not an amazingly cheap price by its what I wanted. While its not perfect it is fun to make it a usable fun toy again and to save it from the trash or rusting away forever. I don't mind not having a mint item. Thats what the post-war celebration series is for, all the guys who never got a chance to own a new barrel loader or coal car. Currently I am just trying to start an operating collection and someday a functioning layout. Not too many guys my age into the hobby that I know of or hobby shops in Miami, so its been difficult but thanks to people like you on this board and CTT magazine its been great!

[brianel027]

FEC, I like your attitude. Very likely you'll have more fun in this hobby than those who collect for sheer monetary value only. I got my 3472 for $35. The car was in great shape other than a broken door. That's where I discovered the color variations - when I tried to get a replacement door. The stand with mine was beat, but the stand is easy enough to restore.
It's been said the older Lionel trains were actually over-engineered and built. Maybe that's why they stand up so well. I've had my share of beaters, but I don't mind repainting if necessary. I've had a few that may have been worth some moola had they not been in such rough shape - but that's perfect for me. I get a car I want and when I'm done, it's also in a roadname I also want. For me, that's part of the fun.
I'm sure there are some train guys in your neck of the country... it'll just take some time to find them. Maybe when your friends see what you're doing (not just the fun but that you can do it on a budget if you shop wisely), you'll bring some new folks into the hobby.
brianel, Agent 027