My eyes are all teary, and dripping down on my keyboard!

[brianel027]

James, the great thing about most postwar trains is that the so-called "electronics" are pretty basic. Get yourself a copy of one of the Lionel repair books or CD-roms. There's no college course (that I know of) on fixing old trains. Me, I learned by doing it... simple as that. I never ever buy anything without fully pulling it apart to see what makes it tick and to look for ways to improve it. My friends laugh at me... most folks can't wait to get a new train purchase on the track. Mine head to the workbench. Anymore I have standard improvements and modifications I make to nearly everything.

Really, the Lionel repair book will be worth your while. I also believe there are some videos made on the subject of repairing Lionel trains. I'm certain our friends here at Kalmbach must have a book on the topic too. Start simple, and as your confidence grows, you'll find yourself tackling more difficult problems. 15 years ago I could have never built a train engine or custom designed my own operating cars and accessories ..... with practice, things have changed.

[1688torpedo]

Hello James! Try Dr.Tinker's Toy Train Parts in Lexington,Mass. He has a website and may have a base for your #356 Station. I've had good luck with him in getting parts. George Tebolt is another good one to try as he also has a website. Good Luck.

[spankybird]

Looks like Olsen has a new web page with on line ordering

http://www.olsenstoytrainparts.com

[Anonymous]

I could never be a real collector because I have to play with my trains. Even if I had a pristine mega bucks set it eventually would be unpristined around here from use. Therefore, I'm what you might call a buzzard train guy. I like the "leavings" and "leftovers" that way I don't have to worry about ruining a beautiful collector item. And it also leaves more $$$ to get more stuff to play with too.

I was considering gluing the base, but I'm afraid it may be beyond my surgical expertise. It's very odd because out of all my "junk" that was by far the nicest piece I had. I'm sort of handy at repairing some things, like cosmetics, etc. But as far as the electrical stuff you guys talk about here, well, that kind of scares me. I just don't know enough about it. Like my computer, yeah, I've been messing with them since 1986 and have only learned enough to keep getting myself into more and more trouble. So some things I prefer to leave to those with more knowledge.

Hey, by the way, do you guys buy, sell, & trade here?

[brianel027]

James, I've never been wealthy by worldly standards. I'm in the hobby because I've learned to have real appreciation for less-than-pristine pieces and to fix them myself.

I remember some years ago when a friend brought me some real busted up trains. I was happy and excited. He said to me, "I've never seen anyone get so excited about broken trains." I told him that's because I see them NOT as they are, but as they WILL be. Repainting, redoing, modifying and restroing trains has never bothered me because most of the stuff I'm working with had no collectible value to start with, so any improvments I made were going to be a step up. Besides, the way I figure it, the trains are really worth what they are worth to me.

Without actually see your trains, it's hard to say, but I'm sure there are things that are salvagable. Fortunately as pointed out by others, there are sources for parts and repairs. Learning to make repairs yourself is also a very good idea to save money for actual parts you need.

There's some knowledgable guys here and I'm sure there will be lots of help in this department. Good luck.

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

James, The Doctor is In!!! First, Welcome Aboard !!!!,Second, I just checked my Olsen's catalog(it came in wednesday) and they dont carry the station base. I may have one in my spare parts in the basement(no promises) I will look today(thursday) and get back to you. Any other parts of the station broken ? most part dealers have the roofs & fences & signs & decals but that is about it. Email me and if I have the base spare, I will make you a deal. Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor !!! [}:)]

[CSXect]

If you want to cry some more check out these two sites(They are S scale by the way) They have some cool stuff and it does not hurt to have a second scale to play with[:D][8D]

http://www.americanmodels.com

http://www.showcaseline.com

also lionel make some American flyer reissues and a really nice newly tooled Mikado with TMCC

The only reason I mentioned these two is because those who have not been biten by the S bug have no idea what is available in S. Enjoy your trains be they O , S or even HO(yuck).

[Blueberryhill RR]

James, you came to the right place

http://pictures.olsenstoys.com

That will take care of your ZW

Chuck

[Anonymous]

You guys are great! What a homecoming! It's gonna take a while for me to catch up on all the info. Thanks for all the tips on sites and sources.

The other day when I got out my "junk" (as my wife calls it), I was heartbroke. My 356 Station base was crushed, smashed, cracked and everything. Where would you guys look for a replacement part?

My ZW is also getting tired, who would you send it to?

Also for parts, is there a Lionel parts list indexed by product number, i.e., "356 Station... parts: "

Oh, I joined LCCA online last night, but in retrospective I think I should have joined LOTS first. Well, it won't kill me to join both, huh?