Can I put a Lionel PW 250 shell Columbia on a new Columbia?

[Dave Farquhar]

That's one thing about postwar Lionel... For every engine out there with a worn-out motor, there's at least one out there that took an O27 curve too fast and took a dive onto a concrete floor, resulting in a bad shell with a good motor in it.

[1688torpedo]

Hello FEC!    Parts are easy to find for your #250 & that is what I would do. Most parts dealers should have the gears & rods in stock & that will get it running again. If you need a reputable repairman-Just let us know here as old postwar trains are fairly easy to get running again. Jeff Kane at the Train Tender should have the parts you need. Give him a try. Take Care.

[ADCX Rob]

The tooling has changed considerably since your engine was built... actually extended some also to help in making it a 4-4-2, which Lionel Corp.never made.  It would be quite a challenge.  It's a great idea, though, the new ones are quite robust with extended service intervals.

I've got to figure that a mechanism for yours would come up pretty readily.  If you can generate an interchange list, I'll bet someone here on the forum has one they would give up to get you back on the line.  I'll do some checking myself.

Rob

[FEClionel]

Yeah I think your right - I may need to upgrade to a 2037 as a pinch hitter.

[Jumijo]

The thing is, that was your dad's train. If I were you, I'd either get it repaired or leave it as is. Get another train to run if you must, but don't start breaking this one apart just to see it moving. It's sentimental value certainly overrides any other. Ya follow?

[FEClionel]

It has a metal motor but the gears are stripped and side rods are messed up - I can buy a another 250 or I was thinking of purchasing a new 4-4-2 and putting this shell on that motor and tender on the new frame as well.

[Jumijo]

If your 250 has a metal motor, it can be "tuned up" with a good cleaning, some lubrication, and maybe a set of new brushes. This option is a lot cheaper than a whole new motor.


Jim

[FEClionel]

I've got my dad's 250 Pennsey w/ tender shells are nice but the drive unit is toast - can I purchase a new 4-4-2 Columbia Flyer type engine and put this shell over the top? Hear is a picture of the engine I'm talking about. Newer "Flyer" type 4-4-2 have smoe and traction tire - so thats a huge plus this thing can barely pull its tender and set of rolling stock it came with.