Lionel Trainmastrer VIRGINIAN" #2322 Rebuild

[Anonymous]

I just bought a 2322 on Ebay that is in need of some work - the body is badly cracked at the front - not sure if the shell can be repaired and repainted or if I should look for another and keep this one as is? I'm sure there are certain things that need to be done to get it back right - I have never tackled one of these - the battery compartment is damaged - any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I have been out of the Lionel collectecting since about 1984 (I know because the newspaper I wrapped the cars in is dated that) - I had a pretty nice collection and put it at a hobby shop here in the Atlanta area on consignment and basically never saw it again and never got paid for it)

 

Dan

[1688torpedo]

Hello Dan & to the forum!    If your Virginian Shell is badly cracked.Then, there is not much you can do with it. My suggestion is to contact Jeff Kane at the Train Tender (1-585-381-0705) & see if he has a Shell for you or try Dr.Tinker's Toy Train Parts as he has a website. Both Gents are very good parts sources & have excellent service as well. I've dealt with both & have no complaints at all. Another excellent parts guy is George Tebolt & he has a website also.Take care & let us know what happens.

[Anonymous]

Hello Dan, welcome to the forum!!  I can professionally clean and rebuild your FM's chassis to compliment  the new shell that you might be getting. I gurantee I will make it purr when i'm done. email me at [e-mail] if you are interested.

Jeff  will most likly have the shell. You might actaully be able to glue the shell's cracks together by putting hobby-type styrene strips (dont have to be that big or thick) behind the cracks on the the inside of the shell, then using weld-on 3 with a syringe to get the right mount of glue aound the stryrene. Most, if not all, of the diesel locomotive shells made in the Postwar era are made out of ABS, and glue nicely!!

[lionelsoni]

Lionel Train Master shells tend to crack around the screw holes on the ends, because they were made a little too long for the frame.  If yours is cracked there, I suggest putting a shim washer between the shell and frame after you repair the cracks.

[ben10ben]

Vinegar will clean up the battery corrosion, as well as any remaining caustic paste, quite nicely.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help - the crack is pretty bad starting at the body screw and extending around and up the side of the cab - also some of the rails have broken but still there.

 

Dan

[1688torpedo]

Hello Dan!     The other thing I forgot to mention is that it is no good for your Trains to be wrapped up in Newspaper as the Ink will tranfer from the paper to the surfaces of the engines & rolling stock in your collection & will be hard to clean off without doing damage to the paint or marking's on them. You will need to clean them individually & wrap them in clean Tissue Wrap Paper found at office supply stores & wrap them in this instead & put them in individual plastic bags for further protection.Hope this helps & if you need anything else, Let us know. Take Care.