Pre war 600,601,602

[ron123]

I have these three cars (red) - great condition and I am looking for an engine.  Does anyone know which engine went with these cars?

I recently got a red 248 engine.. which is in very good condition and runs well.  A little wear but running perfect.  However, that is not the right engine,, coupler too low and even when I get it hooked to these cars... it really doesn't have the power to pull them too fast..

So, I am on the hunt for the right locomotive

 

thanks

ron

 

[ivesboy]

The cars came with the...

1936-38 gun-metal 238E

1937 Gun metal 249E

1937 Gun metal 265E. 

 

This is assuming you have the earlier high coupler cars (nickel journals).

[ron123]

Thanks,  does it matter which one of these three?  Or is it just personal preference.?

 

also, i bought a 248 lionel engine and it runs... which is great but isn't the right one for those cars.. coupler to low and engine too small so I guess I should have first done a little research

 

But the little 248 is pretty neat.. do you of a manual or some documentation that can show rookie (me) how to clean the electric motor ..it has old grease caked on and dirty,, but I would need a little help frome a guide or something... any recommendations?

 

thanks

ron

[ivesboy]

The postwar Lionel repair manual shows how to clean motor. All you really need is a small screw driver and some mineral spirits, just scrape off the gunk and wipe clean with the mineral spirits. 

 

As for the loco, just personal preference. I think the 265E is the best looking. Also happens to be the priciest. 

[ron123]

Thanks for the advice... where can i get the maual to show me how to clean the electric motor of the 248 e  pre war lionel engine?

 

I  am just starting out with this hobby and need all the help that I can get..

 

thanks for your advice and thanks for any other suggestions as to books/manuals that can show me how to clean this engine

 

 

ron

[tjsprague]

Ron your red 248 would pull the 4-wheel 629-630 cars in set #292 (19929-32). Or the red/black 603-604 8-wheel cars in set #132 (1931).  Additionally, there were department store specials headed by a re 248 into the mid 1930's, these would have two 629 pullmans to go with the 630 observation.

Also, I'm assuming your 600's from your other post have latch couplers? That would make them accurately placed in sets headed by the gunmetal 249 or 265. All reported sets pulled by he 238 had the manuel box couplers. I agree with the other poser who liked the 265 Vanderbilt. There are lots out there, the hardest thing is finding one with a tender that's in as good a shape as the engine (..it's always the tenders that bring the set down)

The other thing you could do is put together a passenger set, with your 600's, and then build a freight set for your 248.Fregiths sets for that engine were; #249 (1929-30) with a green 831 lumber car and an 807 caboose in red with peacock roof,  Set number #131 (1931) was the exact lineup as the #249 with the addition of an 804 tank car in aluminum, brass trim and no decals. 

Hope this helps. Looks like you're on your way to having two nice prewar sets. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Tim

[ron123]

Thanks , 

I hope to find a 265e or 249e or 238e for these nice cars (600,601,602)

Also, will now start looking for cars for my 248 engine... regarding the 248 engine, it really runs nice but today after running it for 10-20 minutes. the one contact roller was super hot while the other contact roller was fine.  Both are a bit bent, so I don't know if the one is touch and the other isn't which creates too much heat on one roller or is it something else.. any thoughts?

 

thanks

ron