Repair and restore...one of the great pleasures of old toy trains

[mackb4]

 Harold, a few years back (5+) I saw an add in CTT for someone offering replacement,add-on struts ,but haven't been able to recollect who made them or in what issue I saw the add or maybe a product update in

 I think a lot of us have some of the same shell problems and like you would like to fix it.I've pondered about making a wooden form to set down into the front of the shell,and using fiberglass or maybe bondo with a lot of hardening agent in it,to maybe mold and shape the front strut,since it will have to be painted anyway. 

[srguy]

A $5 junker however all parts in good shape ... paint not so good. Frame and body repainted, a little tlc and oil on the wheels  .... not bad!

[wallyworld]

Hi Ray

It was received as a basket case with missing handrails, cowcatcher, bell, a cab broken in pieces ( some missing) faded decals. A real junker not even in one piece. Sort of a puzzle. The cab was put back together with epoxy, plastic putty , Plasticstruct and a whole lot of sanding.

The cowcatcher is Lionel and so is the bell. Close matches.

The handrails came from Robert Grossman, the decals off the Bay. So what I put back together was sort of a Marx \Lionel hybrid!

That being so, I had been looking at photos of those type of engines and the Marx scheme seemed tame, almost dull..so not being s strict restoration job, I did a little freelancing. Glad you liked it..thanks

P.S Being Marx, nothing mechanical was  required to be fixed..a little lube and off she went.

Bruce

[AF53]

Wallyworld - What have you done with that Wells Fargo William Crooks Locomotive? Must admit, it looks good.

[wallyworld]

Here are two of mine..

Heres a Marxified Hafner with smoke and a headlight...

[hscsltb]

Old Mo Hobo

I am sort of a beginner in the restoration process but I am learning.  I have numerous alco units that have broken front struts and am wondering how the experts repair them.  They are all there but have been cracked during their lifetimes.  I have seen writings in the past from folks who use different adhesives but have not done so myself and of course I can't find the information now.  Is there a good adhesive that can be used for most breaks in plastic?  I am also learning to re-paint but have not bought my own air brush compressor.  Is there an air brush compressor out there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg that would suffice for cleaning and repainting?  I may not get as accomplished as what I see in the pictures but I still enjoy making something come back from the life after.  Thanks!!

I heard about a guy who was using a portable air tank with a regulator to use his air brush with.Not ideal but could be a good start.

[Prairietype]

Here is another set of renovation photos of a very marginal Lionel 2328. It was very rusty, faded and all but non-running. But complete disassembly, gunk removal, rewiring and a repaint (appropriate considering its condition) and I have a good runner today.  I love this locomotive because there is so much of my time and contribution to the second life that it now has.

[webenda]

Prairietype

 Enjoy!

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Prairietype, Alcos are looking good, thank you for posting images.

I like your hinged layout idea.

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Interesting thread David, thank you for starting it.

[ADCX Rob]

watch?v=ov4mOIFOsjc

[8ntruck]

Prairietype - thanks for posting the pictures.  That is the same paint scheme I am planning on for my Alco project.  Thanks for the description of your paint process too.

[Prairietype]

This is my second attempt to insert some video of the MoP creations. I must not understand a critical step because I lost my entire original message, so this is an experiment only with the video.

I run the Missouri Pacifics on a small portable layout.  Normally I just run 1 ALCO, a combo, and two coaches as a local running in a small Missouri town.  Track limitations, length of sidings, tight curves and space between switches mandate a short train.  Also I can just operate two trains on this layout which folds lengthwise and fits in my car.  It has a small element of the CTT retro railroad series (Fall 2009).  Well here goes: A you tube video and another of my larger permanent layout featuring the 1959 Santa Fe Super Chief.

[Prairietype]

This is my second attempt to insert some video of the MoP creations. I must not understand a critical step because I lost my entire original message, so this is an experiment only with the video.

I run the Missouri Pacifics on a small portable layout.  Normally I just run 1 ALCO, a combo, and two coaches as a local running in a small Missouri town.  Track limitations, length of sidings, tight curves and space between switches mandate a short train.  Also I can just operate two trains on this layout which folds lengthwise and fits in my car.  It has a small element of the CTT retro railroad series (Fall 2009).  Well here goes: A you tube video and another of my larger permanent layout featuring the 1959 Santa Fe Super Chief.

[Vew:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4mOIFOsjc]

 

[Prairietype]

Here are the pictures you asked for of my FA's custom painted for the Missouri Pacific. This was really my first custom painting project, and I learned a few things along the way.

The ALCO's were pretty much basket cases, not guaranteed to run, stripped of paint, and cheap. So there was nothing to lose and more to gain. The final product was not quite accurate and not the slickest, but the units run real well.

The steps I took in painting the ALCO's: 1) I painted the shells a medium gray that matched the MoP colors. 2) I made a masque for the basic two-tone paint scheme which covered the gray areas. 3) The masque started off as a template for tracing the applied masque from painters tape.  4) The blue was Floquil acrylic MoP blue that I air brushed. I discovered that I should have thinned the paint a little and lightened it up as well.  5) I painted the yellow stripe with a close yellow match.  6) I bought decals and rub on letters, and small rub on numbers in the right size and font. 7) I bought some red marker lights for the front of the number boards 'cause I thought it would look cool and also an extra horn just to see if I could from Jeff the Train Tender.  8) A future project may be the installation of a real horn and maybe diesel sounds. I also tried to create an A-A powered lash-up but it didn't work exactly right. I know it can be done, but gave up. Maybe someday. 

 Here are pictures, taken this morning. Thanks for asking because that motivated me to do something I've been intending for a few weeks.

 Enjoy!

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[rtraincollector]

Check with Jeff Kane at www.ttender.com or email him at [e-mail] I believe he sells replacement front aprons where you cut you old apron out and glue this in and its a good look I have done a couple of them back about 6 years ago or so.

[Old Mo Hobo]

I am sort of a beginner in the restoration process but I am learning.  I have numerous alco units that have broken front struts and am wondering how the experts repair them.  They are all there but have been cracked during their lifetimes.  I have seen writings in the past from folks who use different adhesives but have not done so myself and of course I can't find the information now.  Is there a good adhesive that can be used for most breaks in plastic?  I am also learning to re-paint but have not bought my own air brush compressor.  Is there an air brush compressor out there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg that would suffice for cleaning and repainting?  I may not get as accomplished as what I see in the pictures but I still enjoy making something come back from the life after.  Thanks!!

[8ntruck]

Prairietype - Would you be able to post a picture of your MoPac A-B-A Alcos?  I have a similar project going.  The shells are stripped, and waiting for paint.  I am planning on the blue with gray & yellow stripe.

[Prairietype]

Great thread. I include myself among this group who take take up the challenge of making basket cases whole again.  I did this with 5 junk ALCO's stripped of paint and not guaranteed to run. But they do now, with my own customized Missouri Pacific paint scheme.  They are runners and certainly not collector items or something to flip. 

The thrill for me was bringing them back from the brink, and knowing that another handful vintage Lionel will live on for many decades to come.  When not on the tracks, an A-B-A combo of the Missouri Pacifics sits on display in the front room. Several times a month they go onto the layouts or out to the Mall layout to strut their stuff and be run by the kids who come to the club layout; many of whom get to run a Lionel train for the first time.

[Hudson#685]

Guys I feel the same and I love bringing them back for the next generation to enjoy. Dave, I admire your work.

 

John

[8ntruck]

I agree.  It is fun to breathe life back into something old and run down. 

Just last weekend, I purchased a bunch of early '50 postwar Lionel stuff.  It is all pretty grubby, but also pretty much complete.  Looking forward to getting it cleaned up and running again.

[dsmith]

alank

While we are on repairs, let me throw out a question to you.   I have several O-27 Alcos like your 205.   I have had to fix the front piece(apron) on a few, and in most cases have fabricated repairs with different plastics I have around.   I always get results, but can always see the defects, even when I have done a good job.   I know they make the metal nose supports, but have you ever had to repair these, and how have you gotten your best results.   Some people tell me there is a plastic peice that is supposed to go along with the supports, but I have never seen it.

I love your little Pere Marquette too.

Have a great day Dave, and thanks for contributing.

                                                                                                              Alan

Alan,

On my 4 Alco's, 2 of them have cracked aprons and I have repaired them with super glue.  I've not heard of any commercially available plastic support for the front.  One of the Alco's had a missing piece on the front apron and I repaired it by adding a piece of styrene plastic.  Then I glued the metal support to the shell and painted with acrylic paint as closely as I could match to the origional. 

[stebbycentral]

100% agreed there Dave.  Rescueing junkers is also a good way to obtain that one item that you might not be able to afford otherwise.  This little baby started out as someone's basket case, and cost me under $100 all told to purchase and refurbish.

[alank]

Dave,  I always like looking at what you do with the trains.   I too have been in this hobby a long time, and have worked at many aspects of it.   Electrical is my daily work, and I think I got a good start at it by what I did with the trains in my early years.   My one brother said I was always under the table wiring.....I too like the repairs, although I now know I don't want to run a trains store or do it for money.   I will if someone asks me to refurbish and repair their trains as need, but I am afraid I would loose interest and patiences if I did it for other than a hobby.   I was over to W. Springfield MA this weekend, and got talking with one dealers who likes PW like myself.   He got commenting and I told him, I am like the person who brings home a cat.   I buy trains just to fix and see what I can do, and then all to often they just sit.

I love your layout, and have for a long time been an O-27 fan.   I have the O gauge track system too, and have used that on our temporay Christmas displays, but alas i don't think I will have a permanent layout again.

While we are on repairs, let me throw out a question to you.   I have several O-27 Alcos like your 205.   I have had to fix the front piece(apron) on a few, and in most cases have fabricated repairs with different plastics I have around.   I always get results, but can always see the defects, even when I have done a good job.   I know they make the metal nose supports, but have you ever had to repair these, and how have you gotten your best results.   Some people tell me there is a plastic peice that is supposed to go along with the supports, but I have never seen it.

I love your little Pere Marquette too.

Have a great day Dave, and thanks for contributing.

                                                                                                              Alan

[dsmith]

I have been involved in this fun hobby for many years now and I have received great enjoyemnt from all aspects of the hobby....track layout design, layout construction, electrical work, scenery, aquiring items at train shows and online, meeting other like minded hobbyists, communicating on the toy train forums,helping others with their layout and of course...the ultimate enjoyment, running the trains.  Another aspect I also enjoy is repairing and restoring old beatup trains.  Bringing these old toys back to like to life and giving them another chance to shine also gives me great pleasure.  And these repairs are made so much easier are the Lionel pre and postwar parts suppliers that provide so many of the necessary replacement parts.  I get most of my parts from "The Train Tender".  Here are a few of my successful attempts at bringing these wonderful toys back to life.