old lionel sets

[Anonymous]

I have two old lionel train sets one is a 2-6-4 steam engine and the other is a GP-7 or 9 both are in dire need of repainting but unsure of how to do so or if it will ruin the value which really doesnt matter ot me cause I plan on keeping them forever not ebaying them. The steam engine is solid metal but is chipped all over. the diesel is plastic.

just curious what ya'll would do

[3railguy]

The steamer can be stripped and repainted. Use automotive glazing compound to repair the chips.

The geep shell can be repainted. However, pre-painted MPC shell show up on ebay pretty cheap.

[Big_Boy_4005]

What are the numbers on the engines in question, and how would you describe their condition?

Those factors may make a bit of a difference as to the course of action I would advise. It sounds like the steamer may be too far gone to have any collector value anyway. Depending on the roadname, the GP may or may not be worth saving.

[Anonymous]

2316 on the steamer
the diesel is a Burlington Northern unit with a set of coaches silver with red handrails.
They both still run and they have original paint jobs but no chips in the bodies just in the paint.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Do you mean a 2016 steam engine? That is a common, play on. Paint to your heart's content.

The diesel is a BURLINGTON (not northern) 2328? Silver with red chassis and handrails. Play with it, ugly as it might be, don't paint it. The cars are nice too, don't paint them either. Were there 3 or 4 passenger cars? Your set is from 1955 or 56 depending on the cars.

[brianel027]

Well here's comes the firing squad... [:D]

My feeling is once you buy the stuff and own it, it's yours to do with as you wish. [8]
The only "real" value is what the stuff is worth to YOU!

I wouldn't trade most of my repaints for anything, unless I was being offered like 10 locos for one. And then I'd probably repaint those other ten. But I also like roadnames that are being almost totally ignored by Lionel and K-Line as far as smaller traditionally sized items go. Believe me, the little Alco FA's look pretty darn nice in CSX, Norfolk Southern and Conrail!!

On a logic thinking level, postwar Lionel will never be made again. So if you have something that is in nice shape, it makes sense to leave it alone or sell it. But there are plenty of junkers and beaters out there which are prime candidates for refinishing or restoration. Remember stuff that is beat up doesn't usually have much value to begin with, although there are a few exceptions. Probably a good idea to check first.

I do a heck of a lot of repainting and have no regrets. But I also do first rate quality repaints. I've seen a lot of cob job repaints that I woudn't pay beyond junk condition prices for. I remember once buying a very very bad Great Northern repaint job on a caboose... even the seller knew it was bad... I paid $1.00 for a MPC NC5 caboose (he was happy to get the one dollar bill) which I then stripped and repainted again - only this time with a first rate paint job.

On your Burlington loco, you might want to consider saving that shell and buying another postwar or Lionel MPC shell on ebay to replace it with. You can probably find another shell in new or like new condition that you wouldn't even have to consider repainting. You might be able to help pay for the new shell by selling the Burlington shell... I'm sure if's it's not too far gone, someone out there will buy it.

There is an art to doing good repaints. And there is an art to doing good decal work. It can be learned, but as with most skilled artforms, some will always be better at it than others. I always advise folks learning to do this to start with real junkers first.