Lionel 226E Pre WWII - How to safely clean without damaging?

[Anonymous]

PLEASE HELP!
I was fortunate enough to find a 226E today at a local antique store, and I was wondering what can be used to clean the exterior? I have been wanting to start collecting this size of trains, and I found this engine w/tender. I would also like to know what cars came with this engine/tender set? I do not have any track yet , but I did pick up a LW "Trainmaster" 115V, 60 cycle, 125 Watt transformer. Will this transformer work? is it the right size? What is the age of this tranformer? Is it the one that went with this engine/tender?
Thanks for the help!

[lionelsoni]

The 226E was last made in 1941. The LW was first made in 1955. It probably will work; but the prewar transformers contemporaneous with your locomotive put out substantially higher voltage than the postwar ones.

[phillyreading]

I use a mild solution of a feww drops of hair shampoo to a about a quart of water and some quew tips(like what you clean your ears with) to clean the narrow sides of the engine shell. To clean the wheels I use an old pencil earaser, but you may need a small flat tip screw driver if there is heavy amounts of dirt on the wheels, be extra careful when cleaning the center rail rollers, I use a needle nose pliers to hold the little heel and a pencil eraser to clean the roller wheels. Lubrication is extremely important for these older locomotives, lube every axle and wheel joint!! Even lube the rollor wheel for the center pickup. Inside you may want to check for dirt, please use your hands or a small needle nose pliers, NEVER use air pressure!! The locomotive is too old for that
and may damage your wiring to the motor windings or field coils on the motor.
To clean the brushes inside the motor; remove the shell by taking out two screws near
te piston cylinders and one on the top of the engine, next pull the top off gently, the brushes are inside another little plate and need to be removed, be careful not to lose the brushes or springs inside, use only a pencil eraser to clean the armature or motor
winding plate, clean the brushes with either a pencil eraser or a fine grain sand paper,
make sure the brushes are flat across the top, one other note-some brushes have a line down the center of the brush and this side is to be put near the spring or tention arm to hold the brush in place. Not sure if you have a smoke unit in the 226E or a whisling tender. I have a pair of 224's, one is a 224E & the other is a 224.
The 226E is a larger locomotive in size than a 224E and has an extra set of wheels on the back of the locomotive. Far as power I suggest a KW or ZW transformer for best
operation and for whistle power for the tender if so equipped.
The tender can be cleaned the same way except that there may be four screws to hold on the top and you may need to remove an axle or two to access these screws, to clean the whistle you will have to take it apart with a screw driver and it should use brushes and springs just like the motor for the locomotive, also lube the shaft of the whistle lightly. DON'T USE GREASE!!! It just picks up dirt. Far as what went with a set I can only recommend that you try Greenberg's Guide for Lionel.
Lee F. in south FL

[LS1Heli]

Good info above. I love the 226E. One of the largest O gauge steam engine of the prewar era. Should come with a very desireable 2226W 6W tender. Should have firebox glow as well. Came with very expensive and collectable 2800 series freight cars or early prewar Madision cars. The transformer your using is fine.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the info! I went to a local train shop today and had both pieces checked out. The engine runs fine, but the tender did not make a sound. Does anyone have any suggestions for attempting a repair, or where can the replacement parts for the whistle be acquired?
I will attempt to lube/service the engine hopefully this weekend!
Thanks
Crash

[mackb4]

Did you get the big metal tender with six axles?I hope so.My Dad bought a 226e about 9-10 years ago at a yard sale from a lady about 80+ yrs. old.She was cleaning out her very large old home when she found it in a box,torn apart.It was almost a complete engine,but minus the big tender that comes with that loco.I can't recall the tender model number right off.But it is reproduced(sorta hard to find and costly $250.00-$300.00 range I think).There are several ways to clean a loco like that,but always test what you choose in a less visible area.Try using a fine real hair brush first.I have used "tuff stuff" deluted on a soft rag before.Don't ever rub it on painted or stamped on white numbers though.Cause it will fade them.I don't think it would hurt the black numbers on the 226e,but still don't try it there.And if you just don't fill comfortable about doing this,find a train shop close that can.Great find !

[LS1Heli]

As I stated in my post above a 2226W.