Lionel Steam Engine Repair

[Anonymous]

I have a 2046 Steam Engine that I am attempting to repair. I have acquired a few good manuals (Greenberg is one). However, I'm wondering if there are any good videos available that deal specifically with post-war steam engine repair (late 40's - early 50's) ?

Thanks................Pat[:)]

[Anonymous]

Hi Pat,

I haven't seen any.

I have a book on repairing Lionel Steam Locomotives. I don't know how much work your locomotive needs.

Joe

[Chris F]

As far as videos go, O Gauge Railroading ( www.ogaugerr.com ) is advertising Jim Barrett in the Backshop, Vol 9, as having a segment on post-war locomotive repair. I don't think it's available, yet., but I have one on order.

Please note that the current issue of CTT (March 2004) has an article on tender air-whistle repair (using a 2046 as the example), the Dec. 2003 issue had an article on cleaning/repainting the boiler and tender shells, the Feb. 2003 issue had an article on smoke unit repair, and the Sept. 2002 issue had an article on motor repair.

I used information from these articles when restoring a friend's 2056 steamer, and was pleased with the results. So was my friend!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Joe & Chris for your responses. I appreciate your feedback.

I found the article on the air whistle repair and have printed it. My engine is in good shape. No rust anywhere. Wires are not frayed. Smoke unit works fine. All in all, it's in very good shape. However, I messed it up a few years ago (before I knew better) by an overenthusiastic application of oil which worked it's way up into the brushes and now it won't run.

A few days ago, I removed the casing (not sure of the correct terminology) and removed the brushes and cleaned all the oil and grime that I could get to. Engine runs a little, but cut's on/off..... never really gets started. I'm hesitant to break it down any further because I'm not convinced I need to and I really don't know what I'm doing (hence this post).

That's why I was hoping to find a video of a craftsman working on one of these machines. Might save me some grief from some more dumb mistakes. btw.... I enjoy tinkering with these. They're a lot of fun. I've got the time and the patience.

Pat

[Anonymous]

Hey Pat,

I have a 2046 that had the same problem. You may want to remove the brush housing and clean the brushes, housing, and the springs with some soprt of degreasing solvent. I use the lionel cleaner solvent. Mine came in the 927 maintenence kit, but you could probably get it from any maintenece kit. I usea q-tip wet with cleaner in the brush housing to get out any grease or grime. The same for the brushes, use a tissue with some cleaner , same for the springs. The springs may also be worn, new ones are pretty cheap. if you have the greenburg you could use that for the exact #'s.

FYI
there is a long chrome peice on top of the brush housing. It has a hole for oil. if you keep this oiled it will eliminate the screeching some engines make.

good luck

Angelo

[Anonymous]

You might want to check ebay and Jim Weatherford. He's been auctioning some videos, and I think he has one on the 2046 and the tender. Opening bid is a bit steep for my pocketbook, but it may be just what you're looking for.