Destroying my Lionel prewar Bullet locomotive

[Count Orlock]

In my apparent quest to destroy all my trains while trying to clean them, I destroyed the eccentric rods on my Lionel prewar bullet locomotive. How do you removie the little pins holding these to the body, so I can replace them. And, once I get the parts, how do you reinsert little pins without ruining the body of the engine?

While I'm at it, one end of the name plate on the bottom of one of my engines seemed to have lost its pin tying it to the body of the engine. How do I reattach it? Do I buy holding pins somewhere, and somehow attach it with them?

[TrainLarry]

What is the loco number?

 

Larry

[Count Orlock]

Hi, It's 238E "O" scale.

[teledoc]

From your description, it sounds like the part of linkage, that attaches to the body, is your question.  It is a very tiny rivet that gets pressed into the body.  Typical tools will not be able to compress the rivet, (IF IT IS AVAILABLE!!).  The linkage is available from some dealers, but not sure if the rivet is part of the package.  Try calling Jeff Kane at The Toy Train Tender.  Someone can find you his number, as I am typing this response on an iPad, and can’t multitask to get the info.  I suggest you also look up Olsen’s Toy Train Parts, and locate their LIBRARY section, which is a listing of Lionel Service Manuals, covering both Prewar & Postwar, plus more.

[cwburfle]

George Tebolt lists the rivet. Apparently Lionel did not publish a part number, here is his description:

#238 or #249/262 Eccentric rod-to body Rivet (specify)            .75


George has cut back on his parts business activity. I don't know whether he is accepting retail orders, or if there is a minimum order size.

Here is a link to his web site:  http://www.georgetebolt.com/prelist.html#valve

[cwburfle]

How do you removie the little pins holding these to the body, so I can replace them. And, once I get the parts, how do you reinsert little pins without ruining the body of the engine?

Be very careful, even if the body looks to be in good shape, the metal may be fatigued and brittle. If you try to knock out the rivet, you may crack the body.

I'd remove the rivet by very carefully drilling or grinding off the upset.

The technique to clinch the replacement rivet will depend on how it's made. If the end is semi-tubular, then it gets clinched with a small rolling clincher. Some folks might use the end of a nail or an appropriately sized roll pin punch.
If the end is solid, then it gets peened over with a small ball peen hammer.

One also has to be careful to avoid damage to the body during these processes too.

Do you really need to remove the eccentric rod assembly from the body?

[Count Orlock]

Thanks so much! I've been collecting Lionel prewar for several decades, but am new to repair/restoration.

[Count Orlock]

I broke the eccentric rods on both sides, trying to get at the motor.