I'm trying to decide if this 736 should be restored or cleaned up and left original. It looks to have suffered a fall or drop since one marker light is gone and the cowcatcher is pushed inward. I'll have to straighten or replace it because it interferes with the movement of the pilot truck. The cab roof is fine. Running condition is unknown at this point.
My thought on straightening the cowcatcher is to heat the bent area with my MAP torch and gently try to bend it back. I have another original cowcatcher on hand if needed, but I'd like to save this one. Is there an off the shelf spray paint that matches Lionel's original paint? I used to use Krylon 1613 Semi Flat Black, which was almost perfect, but it's been discontinued.
My thought on straightening the cowcatcher is to heat the bent area with my MAP torch and gently try to bend it back. I have another original cowcatcher on hand if needed, but I'd like to save this one.
Is there an off the shelf spray paint that matches Lionel's original paint? I used to use Krylon 1613 Semi Flat Black, which was almost perfect, but it's been discontinued.
Jim
The marker light is part of the boiler front ring. If the engine was in my hands, I'd look for a replacement boiler front ring, and a replacement steamchest / pilot. The paint on the boiler itself does not look bad enough to me to require repainting. To each their own!
I wouldn't touch it as far as paint. looks way to good, not chipped up at all. the missing marker light, I've taken ones off a junk boiler front, and attatched it to the engine with a small amount of JB Weld.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
I would look into maybe fixing what had to be but keeping it as a survivor
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
It's hard to say just where the "tipping point" is as far as a repaint is concerned, so much of it is really a judgement call. Scarcity enters into the equation, for example there's so many Lionel 2-6-4 types out there it's no big deal (in my mind anyway) if you repaint one. However, there's not as many Lionel Berkshires around and that's where you have to think twice. Your's certainly doesn't look like it was dug out of a compost pile.
Your 736 doesn't look a whole lot different from the one I've got as far as the original paint is concerned. I'd leave it alone except for touching up some of the chips with some Testor's flat black.
The tender looks a bit nasty, but you can always run it with another tender if you want something more presentable. That's what I do, I've left my original 736 tender alone, although it's actually in excellent shape with the "Lionel Lines" markings intact. I like to "adopt" orphan whistle tenders and repaint and decal them for various 'roads, but not in the case of this particular original.
For a substitute for Krylon black paint, try Rust-Oleum black barbecue paint. I used it to refinish an old PRR railroad lantern and it came out great.
The tender looks a bit nasty, but you can always run it with another tender if you want something more presentable. That's what I do, I've left my original 736 tender alone.
Or put the original shell away, and put on a repro. Hunt around, and you can even find one of the replacement shells Lionel (MPC) made in the 1970's. The Lionel ones were available in New York Central, Pennsylvania, and Lionel Lines. Not all repros are the same. I prefer the ones made by Foreign Tire Sales (Bob Geller)
For paint, I like to use Train Enamel by Charles Woods. Black Satin. The spray head gives a nice even spray.
Thanks everyone. I think it will clean up pretty decent.
cwburfle,
Are the repros made by Bob Geller still available? I just checked one of my 2671W's, and it has one of his repros. It has R.W.G. molded inside, and the quality seems great.
Keep us posted, we'll all want to know how it turns out!
Some were marked "Foreign Tire Sales" inside (Maybe the 1666W style)I don't know whether he is still making them. Even if he is not, they are around. If you are buying mail order, just ask the seller to check the markings.
Here's some photos of the boiler after being cleaned and selectively touched up and blended with Testors 1249 Flat Black.
I cleaned the tender shell and fixed the damaged right rear step. The short was caused by both insulating washers missing from between the collector and locomotive frame. I'll need to order them. I also removed the flagstaffs from the original pilot and installed them on the replacement.
I cleaned the tender shell and fixed the damaged right rear step.
The short was caused by both insulating washers missing from between the collector and locomotive frame. I'll need to order them. I also removed the flagstaffs from the original pilot and installed them on the replacement.
The short was caused by both insulating washers missing from between the collector and locomotive frame. I'll need to order them.
I also removed the flagstaffs from the original pilot and installed them on the replacement.
It looks good Jim. I'm glad you were able to save it from a repaint.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Cleaned up nicely, Jim. Go ahead and put new wire grab-irons. Those bends in them keep drawing my eyes to them.
Coming along nicely, well done!
Hello Jim,
I saw this product on TV, it's from Rust-oleum. It's called - Wipe New Rust-oleum R6PCRTLKIT Recolor Paint Restorer with Wipe-On Applicator. AMAZON has it for $17.99. It is meant to restore the original color, works on plastic, metal, vinyl, fiberglass, stone, etc., etc.. Check out the reviews on AMAZON regarding this product. If you do buy it to use on you locomotive touch-up, try it first on a piece of metal. You can always use it around the house for other touch-up items. I love rust-oleum paints. Just my 2 cents.
G BEAR
God Bless
Here's the result:
It runs very well.
Looks great! Hope you have as much fun with it as I do with mine!
Well done!
Looks right!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
nice!
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