Greetings from Italy...need a little help :)

[Anonymous]

First of all ...hello evereyone :)

I'm LeoLuca ( Leo or Luca for friends ) , 31 yrs old from Italy ..I ever had passion for train models since i was 8-9, but lately it is really growin up ...About 1 year ago, me and my uncle bought a huge collection from a great italian modeler...from Z to 0 scale, it includes some really beatiful and rare trains from various manufactures like Fulgurex, Metropolitan, Spring/Hubner, Lemaco etc etc....and, of course, a nice amount of Lionel models and accessories...

Unfortunally, some models ( just few Lionels ) has been re-painted by the previos owner arghhhh and one of them is the wonderful " 700E " prewar steam loco...here you can see a few pics of it

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/498/lionel700esidelocomrrm8.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1446/lionel700esidetendermrpv5.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3425/lionel700eperspmreo3.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6073/lionel700elabelmrqn2.jpg

I tested it and it runs fine, but it's a shame not to have it in it's original state. So, i wander if someone could give me a hint to bring him as it was, with original colors and numbers on it...maybe someone know a good Lionel authorized service center to send it...dont know if it could be a good idea but maybe something can be done

 Thanks in advance..and sry for my not perfect english :)

Luca

[Jumijo]

 

Leo,

The red paint on the wheels should come off with some mineral spirits. I'd try applying it with a cotton swab. As for the numbers and lettering, dry transfers and rubber stamps are available for many, if not all Lionel locomotives from the "old days". Olsen's Toy Train Parts sells them. See link below:

Olsen's Toy Train Parts 

Best of luck,

Jim 

[msacco]

Leo,

You are so lucky to have a 700E. I would love to have one. Yes, it's a shame it's been repainted but Jaabat is right. You might be able to get the red paint off. Lettering is available from many parts dealers and if worse comes to worse I would look to get a professional repaint on this engine.

good luck,

Mike Sacco

[csxt30]

Leo to the forum !!  That's a really nice engine you have !! We have some really good restoration places here but I would be hesitant to send that engine away.  Also we have some other fellows from Holland & England & other countries here too !! 

Thanks for sharing & stop by often !!

Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for your help guys...i'm happy to know it could be brought to its original look ( at least close to it )...i'll do my best and hope to show you a good work

p.s next days i'll post some pics of other models from other manufacturers too...i would be pleased to share all their beauty with you 

[Nick12DMC]

Leo, There are some other Lionel fans from Italy on the board. You are very lucky to have a 700E. You might like to know that the tooling for that loco was made in Italy (Naples).

 Nick 

[DMUinCT]

Produced between 1937 and 1941, you should obtain a color copy of the Hudson as pictured in a Catalog.   Maybe someone can post a color photo for you. 

Entire Engine and Tender bodies, "Simi-Gloss" Black.  Pre-War (WWII) paint was "lead based", a type of paint outlawed now. Good replacement Hobby paints are available.

All Wheels including the Tender Trucks (bogies) were chemically Blacken, you should be able to remove the red paint overcoat.  Any bear metal exposed on the wheel should be re-blacken without paint.

Cab lettering, large number "5344" with small lettering below it "J-1E".  Tender, "NEW YORK CENTRAL"  Pre-War lettering Silver Paint.  The number 5344 on each side of the Headlight and on the plate below the Headlight. Dry Transfer Lettering is best used for restorations.

DO NOT GO BY THE PHOTO BELOW! THAT"S A J-3 HUDSON

[Anonymous]

I couldn't ask for better and helpful infos !

Thx again guys !

 

[More to restore]

Ciao Luca!

Welcome on the CTT forum. There are a few Euro-blokes on this forum as you will find out.

Your 700E is gorgeous, I would love to get my hands dirty to clean and repaint your beauty. There are a number of internet site where you can find detailed pictures of how this engine should look. It depends a bit on how good you want your engine to look in the end. If you would like to have almost-original paint you can inquire at www.trainenamel.com otherwise you can also a local available paint that comes close. If you would need parts you can ask Olsen or George Tebolt, both are friendly and helpful for Europeans.

As far as I know now there is one Lionel club in Europe (in the UK), three dealers (CH, UK, DE) and hunderds of O-3 rail-Lionel enthusiasts. After all, Americans trains look much better than European models and the O-scale handles much better than HO-Z.

Arrivedeci, Eggo!