Can anyone help with some answers on Lionel 8203 2-4-2 Set

[Anonymous]

I recently took out an old train set I had for the first time in years so that my kids could enjoy it. It is a Lionel Train set that I have had since I was a kid. I don't know much about it and would like to find out more.

The only markings I can find are that the engine is a 2-4-2 with 8203 marked on it. The Tender has Pennsylvania marked on it with a wire that connects to the engine to simulate a steam sound. The engine smokes, although very little, and has a switch on top that seems to control whether it can go backwards or not. That's all I know.

Any information about the date of manufacture, possible value would be appreciated.

Also, it seems to spark quite a bit...I tried cleaning the tracks with alcohol. any suggestions? As I said the engine smokes very little. Is there a way to increase the visibility of that?

Also, I need a new power transformer. The local Lionel dealer want to sell me a rebuilt lionel model #1053 for $45. Seems like a lot for an old transformer. Is that a fair price?

thanks for any help.

[Chris F]

The 8203 was included in one set, the #1183 Silver Star from 1972.  The set consisted of

8203 2-4-2 Pennsylvania steamer with Sound of Steam ($26/34)

9013 Canadian Northern hopper ($4/8)

9020 Union Pacific flat car ($3/5)

9142, 9136 (Rep. Steel) or 9141 (BN) gondola ($7/11)

9062 Penn Central SP-style caboose ($6/)

Prices are for good/excelent condition for individual items as shown in the Greenberg's 2005 price guide.  A complete set would be worth more, but would have to include all the packaging, paperwork, track, and transformer.

If the track and outside of the center roller are clean, it might be dirt between the roller and its axle.  Try some TV tuner spray to clean it out.

Smoke volume will depend on the voltage applied to the track.  Unfortunately, a higher voltage may cause the train to rocket off the track.  Put the loco in neutral, turn up the voltage for 10-15 seconds, reduce the voltage, and start the loco.  If you get smoke, you need more voltage (or less resistance in the heating element - can't help you there).  Adding more cars would require increasing the voltage to run at the same speed.

The 1053, a 60W unit, is the right size but it does seem a little pricey.  Even Greenberg's shows a price of $40 for one in excellent condition.

[ADCX Rob]

It might seem obvious, but adding some smoke fluid will increase the smoke output too, after a long storage period like that...

Rob

[ChiefEagles]

If it has the old can type smoke unit, the hole that the puffer cylinder pushes air through can be stopped up.  I take the top off of those units and you will probably find the wick and heat element looks like it is caked with melted chocolate.  This may burn out with time.  I clean the air hole, in what looks like a little chimney, with a straighten paper clip.  I take the wick out and put in pink insulation [yes the house type].  Wet it good and put the top back on.  Be careful with the element or you might break the fine wire.  I usually just replace the element as they are not too expensive [simple solder one wire] and be sure the other tab has a good ground to the unit.   Put a load [lots of cars] behind it and it will smoke.  Now if it has one of the new plastic type smoker units, get another one if more fluid does not help.  One note on these newer units, I have found the solder joints not soldered good on these and a good re-solder made them perk up.   

[brianel027]

inetwayne, I have a couple of steamers from that early MPC period (when Lionel was owned by General Foods) and they simply do not smoke as good as even the new 4-4-2 Columbia Steamers included in nearly all recent basic Lionel starter sets. You can take the Chief's suggestion, but I'm telling you from experience they don't put out that much smoke even in perfect condition, and they need to warm a bit to do so. Putting a couple of heavier cars on the train (thus increasing the voltage to the track without having the engine fly off the track) will help with smoke output.

Your loco was made with a two postion reverse unit as were many of that period, and only goes forward and reverse with no neutral position. The silver switch on top of the loco is a lock-out switch that will keep the loco going in one direction only... the direction it was last going in before you move that lilttle switch on top of the loco.

You could probably do better on a transformer, but as someone who has done repairs, $45 seems totally reasonable for that transformer if it has had work done on it and been rebuilt. Ask the dealer if he will give you some kind of warranty or guarantee/back up his repairs. When considering prices, we often forget a person's time is worth something and then's there's parts too. You could probably get a used 1033 transformer for that price range, but there's a chance any of those could need work even after you get it. I make my own repairs. If you can't you're going to have to probably pay someone. Frayed power cords are one of the more typical problems on used transformers, but pretty easy to fix. Getting the original Lionel type power cord may be another story... you'll pay a little more for that.

Make sure you check inside the tender shell (by removing the screw at the front end) and make sure the foam insulation is still good below the circuit board that makes the sound. If not, replace it immediately with anything that will provide electrical insultation... even a piece of cardboard. If is very easy to burn out those sound boards when the foam goes bad... and it typically does on a 25+ year old loco.

In addition to cleaning the track, you'll want to clean the locomotive wheels too, using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. But don't use that on the wheel with the traction tire. The easiest way to clean wheels on a loco is to place it in your lap upside down and using wires with alligator clips, connect one to the roller pick up and other to the frame of the motor assembly or the loco body if it is metal. The wheels should start moving when you turn on the transformer... give it a little juice and then using a cloth or paper towel with the 91% IA, you can make easy work of cleaning the moving wheels.

[Anonymous]

Great. Thanks for all the responses!!! and suggestions. I will give them a try.

I don't ever remember it smoking a whole lot but I do remember it being at least somewhat noticable. It sounds like a good cleaning is in order and worth a try.