The 203 looked more like a tank (as in gun) than a locomotive. Is that what you have? The tank-like 203 is a pretty prized item. It was made from about 1917-1921 or so.
As far as getting it going again, the transformer is my biggest concern. If the wires are frayed or broken, you need a new transformer. If the track is rusty, you'll probably need some new track. If it's just dirty or has very light rust, I've had excellent results using a kitchen scouring pad (NOT steel wool, one of the synthetic pads) and Bar Keeper's Friend.
The locomotive itself should be pretty easy to get running again. Put a drop of automotive oil (10W30, etc.) on the axles near where they meet the body of the locomotive. Put some grease (something from an auto parts store will be fine) on the gears. The wheels should turn pretty freely by hand after that treatment. I'd turn them by hand a while to help spread the lubricants around. Then clean the surface of the wheels and rollers with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any contaminents that might inhibit electric conductivity. Locos that old tend to be really simple, so that may very well be all it takes to get the locomotive running again.
Put a drop of oil on the axles by the wheels on all the cars to help them roll better.
Sounds like a very nice find you have there. I hope you enjoy it, and by all means ask whatever questions you need to ask. We'll be happy to help you get that old treasure running again.
I second what Dave said. I'd also suggest you do some reading on this forum and elsewhere (books) to become familiar with the 203. I did a search in this forum on "Lionel 203" and found a thread from 2004 titled "Classic Lionel Trains." This thread talked about the 203, what the trains might be worth, as well as the freight cars that came with the set if that is what you have.
There is a wealth of information here on maintenance, repair, lubrication, and restoration (pros, cons, and how to). Do you have an authorized repair facility near you if you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself?
There are participants in this forum who are really more dedicated to pre-war pieces, some probably with a 203, so be patient with responses to your post. It seems like the 203 is rarely discussed in the discussions than most, making me think it might be a rarer Lionel offering. That might be because in 1940-1941 people were wrapped up thinking about our impending entrance into WWII. The Depression still had a grip on the economy. So it is understandable if people were not out buying toy trains.
Your trains have been in storage for quite a while. From the sounds of your post, they have some sentimental value. Take your time. Don't be afraid to ask questions of forum members. Thankfully, they have patiently and graciously shared their knowledge and experience with me.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Does your engine look something like this?
It's already started. I rest my case. Nice pic, envfocus. I think I see a speck of dust on the stack.
You have a wonderful train! This "switcher" engine was available and catalogued by Lionel in 1940 and 1941. Just before WWII, Lionel began its push towards making more realistic looking engines and came out with several "switcher" engines that are somewhat coveted by collector's today. If you have the tender, see if it has a stamped number on the bottom. If it includes the letter "B" at the end, then you can look forward to your tender producing a ringing bell sound as it goes around the track! The picture below is from Lionel's 1940 catalog. I believe you mentioned that you may have more cars, so see if they match with the picture below. I'm not sure you asked, but between auction prices and price guides, in very good condition the engine and tender could fetch $325 to $600.
If your locomotive looks like the one in the picture, yours is the one from the 1940s. It's a very nice locomotive.
Don't worry about how long it takes, we'll still be here.
As far as information, there's not as much prewar Lionel info on the web. Postwar dominates the information, although prewar is what all the cool kids do. There are plenty of books, but many of them are out of print. I would suggest a trip to the library. My local library has tons of books on Lionel, and it helped me out a ton when I was starting out. There's more on the web now than there was five years ago, but the best information is still in books and magazines.
You will find that once the engine is revived you'll have an excellent running switcher. The quality motor and nickel rimmed tires make it comparable to Lionels top of the line 072 models. Although not actual scale, it's prototype was the Pennsy B6.
If yours has the bell ringer tender you will definitely see part of the bell and the on/off switch hanging down from under the tender frame. The sister engine to this one is the 201, physically identical except it had a lighted tender lamp and Magic Electrol, a reversing unit activated by DC current. I happened across this example and found that once it was properly cleaned and oiled it ran like a champ. It also pulls well, easily handling 10 or more cars on the flat.
You've got quite the nice little gem there! Gramps had good taste!
Bruce Webster
Wow, you inherited a wonderful locomotive. The 203 switcher is a scarce one. Although i wouldnt quite call it rare. They are very desirable, and especially valuable if the two red marker lights on the boiler front are intact. The cab roof edges are also prone to bending or breaking. (Lionel fixed this after the war on the 1665). Unfortunately the 201/203 family of switchers are probably one of the top ten most difficult locos to work on. They are complicated to disassemble, and even more difficult to reassemble. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most difficult locos to obtain parts for. They were sort of an odd mix between Lionel's scale switchers and the lower end 0-27 switchers. Due to the value and difficulty, and also considering the sentimental value, i would suggest taking the loco to a reputable service station in your area to be cleaned and lubricated before using. If you provide the area in which you live, im sure someone would be more than happy to point you to a repair station. Also i wouldn't suggest letting your son play with it for a few more years, they are delicate, and he will wish he had it later. I know from experience, i trashed a prewar set of my fathers as a kid, and wish my mom had never let me in the case. Youve been given a rare and beautiful set. Good luck.
slackerr,
Try this link. If clicking on the individual pages doesn't work, try a right click and hit "Open link in new window."
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=757
It's usually not necessary to take them completely apart. Get some CRC zero-residue contact cleaner and spray down the motor with that. Let the crud run out and spray it down again. Clean the driver wheels with contact cleaner and cotton swabs. They don't have to be spotless but if the swabs are coming up really black, they need more cleaning.
Next, oil the axles and grease the gears. You may already have some grease and oil on hand for your other hobbies. If not, Labelle 107 oil and 106 grease are good choices, but you can even use motor oil and automotive grease. Almost anything available today is better than what was available 60 years ago.
Good luck!
I have one and would say a VERY scarce locomotive. You appear to have one that was "one owner", in your family, little use. Lots of Pre-War trains were turned in for Scrap during WW-II.
Using the body casting from the #1662, the standard "O" gauge 6 wheel motor, and the wheels/side rods/valve gear/steam chest from the full scale 8976 switcher, this two year only production engine is a really scarce item. If the two red front maker lights are in place (not broken off) you have a prize.
At train shows, FAKES are too often up for sale as a #203. They take a #1666 O-27 wheels and motor and put under a #1662 or #1656 boiler casting.
Look close at the wheels, full number of spokes and nickle rims. The Cab number is 203 in small letters, rubber stamped in silver, also, under the tender it should be rubber stamped in silver, the number 2203B .
Don U. TCA 73-5735
#203 was cataloged in 1940 as Set (Outfit)#245 with 2203T Tender OR as #245B with 2203B (bell Ringing)Tender:
2655 Cream Box Car, 2654 Orange Shell Tank Car, 2657X Caboose (coupler on both ends), 14 sections of track and a #88 Reversing Controller (no transformer)
#203 was cataloged in 1941 only as an upgraded set #865B with the 2203B Bell Ringing Tender and "Scale Detailed" 2700 Series Cars:
2758 Scale Detailed Tuscan Automobile Car, 2755 Black Sunoco Tank Car (very valuable), 2757X Tuscan Penn Caboose with couplers on both end, same track and #88 Reverser as the 1940 set.
I need your help - you sound like you are very much on top of this subject
I was given a train set that belonged to my Father and I am not sure what I have
Lionel Train Set:
Engine #203 with coal car
2654 shell oil car
3651 lumber car
2657x caboose
power supply - track - crossing lights - other lights for track ect - instruction manual & track
also - American Flyer train:
engine #3107
car #3161
car # 3162
car #3150
All in original boxes and excellent condition - can you help me out here and let me knwo what I have?
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