postwar 2245 F3 Texas Special A/B repair / refurb question

[joelschl]

I recently purchased a 2245 Texas Special F3 A/B set with clear portholes, i believe the red pilot, and silver frames (except where the power unit was painted black to cover up battery corrosion). 

First off... please forgive me if I make any terminology errors.  Because I am a newbie, I probably made a huge mistake and I am looking for some guidance as to how to proceed.   I happened to stumble across these and I acted with haste before I really knew what I was doing because I was afraid they would be sold if I didnt act quickly

F3 2245 (variation a) with silver chassis and red pilot, clear portholes

B unit also has silver trucks and clear portholes

it came with 4 passenger cars

2x #2435 Elizabeth

1x #2432 Clifton Vista Dome

1x 2436 Summit Observation

The units looked extra clean and I attempted to do my homework to determine if it was forged or not.. Therefore I looked for the clear portholes... and both the A and B units have the clear portholes.. and number boards... and I believe the red pilot (I am assuming this is the front apron on the front truck???). 

However... I did not check the battery compartment nor did I remove the shells and look underneath (mistake #1   arghhh.. I was so excited about the set I was stupid).  The A unit has battery corrosion on the horn assembly bracket and on the frame where bottom of the battery rests.. and it appears to have some things inside the shell missing (the horn.. it seems there is a round cylindrical item missing.. and there is a disconnected wire hanging off the battery bracket).  I asked the person selling if it worked and he assured me it did (mistake #2 that I did not check).   I was wondering if it is worthwhile to attempt to Fix / restore this or not.  The shells on both the A/B units look pretty good with minor blemishes.   It was part of a set that also had some Questions:

a) is this even attempting to fix or is it effectively junk because of the battery compartment corrosion?

it appears the corrosion went right thru the frame in the gas tank area

b)   Does anyone know of anywhere near Melbourne Florida (32934) that I can take it to to get a rough estimate of  what this would cost to get this back to working order and/or restored  OR some reputable place I could send it to have it restored

while looking around I found one site that seemed to indicate this was RARITY 4 configuration.. but I am not an expert...

 

Could someone please give me some guidance on the best course of action to take...

 

 

 

[Seayakbill]

If your frame is in pretty bad shape, Postwar F-3 frames show up on E-Bay quite regularly.

I also have a Texas Special AB set that has shown the 50 years of playtime but runs great. With all the reproductions of the Texas Special by Lionel and everyone else I don't know if refurbishing is in the cards for me.

[tcox009]

Go to the web site for Olsens Train Parts

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/default.htm

enter the library and you can find a diagram for the 2245 that will tell you what you are missing.  Most missing parts should be availale but you will probably have to go to ebay to get a new frame as there is really no good way to repair battery damage

Tom

[joelschl]

Thanks for your input Tom.  I have sent an email to Olsens regarding the parts.   I have been looking on ebay for a frame...  however most of the ones I have seen (2333-20) do not have the proper holes drilled for the horn.  It looks like the early 2225s were a bit different from the later ones.  Hopefully I will be able to locate the proper one.  The diagrams on the olsen site did not look like my unit as the one I have has the single horizontal drive.

 

Thanks   Jeff.  

 

[TRAINCAT]

If you can find another frame great, but yours can be blasted and filled to repair it. Get in touch with Dr. Tinker.

 

Roger