New guy, just got first vintage Standard Gauge Lionel outfit, many questions.

[Fran McM]

Greetings All:

Came to this forum upon recommendation of a friend.

I have had S-gauge American Flyer for years,

This past weekend at a local train show, I bought my first Standard Gauge outfit, a Lionel #38 electric locomotive, two #35 Pullman cars, and one #36 Observation car, and a bunch of old track.

The rolling stock looks presentable and functional, the track needs some cleaning.

I have the Std. Catalog of Lionel Trains, 1900-'42, and the Carstens booklet on Std. Gauge, but am looking to drill down on specific details  of my outfit, trying to put a date in engine, cars, etc, and also seeking support advice on care, conservation, and operation.

I appreciate any help / wisdom from the group.

Best Regards,

Fran McM

[Flintlock76]

deleted

[Flintlock76]

Wow!  You lucky guy you!  Maybe I can help some, excuse me while I run and get my Lionel pre-war reference book...

Thumpity-thumpity-thumpity-thumpity...

OK, I'm back.

The Lionel 38 electric was produced from 1913 to 1924.  The 35 Pullman and 36 observation cars were produced from 1912 to 1926.  So you've you've got some rough estimate dates to work with.  Vintage stuff!

Care and conservation?  Assuming everything works the locomotive shouldn't need anything more than lubrication on the rotating surfaces, plus a bit of light grease on the gears.  As far as exterior finish is concerned a coat of paste wax is all you need to preserve any remaining finish.  I wouldn't put any oil on the paint, oil will penetrate whatever paint is left and lift it off over time. 

If the locomotive doesn't work someone with experience with pre-war tear-downs will have to advise you, I can't claim any experience there.

As for operation, it's an AC motor locomotive, so any AC transformer will work with no problem, Lionel, MTH, or MRC, it doesn't matter.

For cleaning the track a good rub-down with a Scotchbrite pad is usually sufficient to put a shine on the railhead.  As long as the railhead is clean (and there's no other issues with track that's that old) the train should work just fine.  Do NOT use steel wool!  Steel wool fibers could find their way into the locomotive and cause all kinds of trouble.

Worst-case?  New Standard Gauge track is available from Lionel and MTH.

I'm sure others more familiar than I am with pre-wars will be more than happy to chime in on this.

And, most importantly,   aboard!

[Penny Trains]

aboard!

WARNING!!!!  STANDARD GAUGE IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!! 

Those spare bedrooms just vanish so quickly! 

Becky

[Flintlock76]

Great video Becky!  And if memory serves, isn't that blue locomotive one of your restorations?

I was NOT expecting that "extra added attraction" train crash in the second video!  Then again I wasn't expecting the crash I had on my own layout last week.  Ouch!

Wayne

[teledoc]

If looking at the ends, there should be a plate that will say either "The Lionel Mfg. Co., or "The Lionel Corporation".  The Mfg. Plate date 1913-1918; and the Corporation Plate date 1918-1924.  The Pullman with Hook couplers are 1912-1918, Latch couplers are 1918 & later, same with Observaton car.