Bit the bullet and purchased a 2020 with a 2046 whistle tender (I know it isn’t the right tender but the price was right.). Got it home and neither one works. The e-unit sort of works, and the motor tries to spin, but just can’t do it. The whistle relay clicks, and the impeller starts to turn, then shorts out. The downside is they are both pretty much complete. Aside from new points and a front truck spring, everything is there. Not really what I’m used to!
If everthing works out, I should have a fun project ahead, and a nice postwar engine running again in a couple of weeks. I think the only postwar O-27 engines I’m missing are the 221 in gray,1666, 2026 and 2016. I’m into the new stuff, too, but I’m finding that I really enjoy fixing up postwar “junkers”!
That’s cool…I would like to have a couple PW Steamers that are junkers to ressurect. I think I want a 2035. Something with Magnetraction, smoke and a 3pos e-unit.
I bought one of these 2056s for $29 last year. It was so dusty, I honestly didn’t even realize it was a train. Completely unrecognizable. And the tender wheels were all rusted together so nothing moved. The whistle didn’t work and the train didn’t run.
Look at her now. Thats her on the right. Or is it the one on the left?
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Restoring old trains is one of my favorite parts of this hobby.
If you need parts for your 1688E, Just let me know & I’ll help you out. They are my favorite engine to own.[:)]
Billbarman- As you get older, you will learn more & acquire knowledge in the process. So, do not feel bad. You can probably find some junk engines at a show or shop & work on them to get them running again & maybe even paint them as well. Take Care all.
All I did to those (and other) PW steam locomotives is clean them in a plastic basin with dish washing soap and warm water. I use a soft toothbrush (and an artist’s water color brush for the hard to reach areas), which probably polishes as it cleans off the dirt. I go easy around the cab numbers. Then I rinse them good in warm water and pat them dry with a soft towel. What ever moisture is left air dries. If a loco has a lot of scratches and bare metal, I touch it up. If it only has a few small chips or knicks, I leave it alone. Otherwise, that’s all I do.
What paint are you using to touch up the bare metal? I have resisted paint touch ups on my 2046 because I wanted original, which is stupid because these are runners I’d never sell, not some C10 TCA new in box rare piece. Nor am I going to strip the whole shell and start over.
I’ve got enough trains thaty are ready to run, so the best part f the shows for me are scrounging the junk boxes. a black 221,1688,2016,2018,and basically any steamer are on my want list for winter projects. there is great satisfaction in bringing these classics back to life. need to hit a show to score some projects!
If you look at an old Lionel steamer shell, you will see that not every area has the same sheen. Some areas are glossier than others, like the top of the boiler and the domes. So I usually mix up a custom batch of flat and gloss black until I get the right look. But I’ve also had success using Polly Scale NATO Flat Black (F505350). No custom mixing required. Apply it in LIGHT coats patiently with a brush and let the paint build up to the level of the old paint.
I have the opportunity to purchase a 671 & whistle tender. Runs ok, needs some help…actually they both need help.
I was thinking that I could strip the engine and tender, repaint both with a semi-flat black, number & letter them both…here’s the tricky part…
I would like to replace the e-unit with one that’s electronic, replace the smoker with a fan and the whistle with an electronic one (all from Electric RR Co.)
What cha all think…ruining it or making it better. I can probably get both items for about $75
I’m not sure that ElectricRR sells electronic e-units or fan driven smoke units. TAS is the only company I can think of that sells fan driven smoke units. I do believe that ERR has a product that can upgrade the engine to TMCC, though, and give you electronic e-unit like operations. The sound commander will also work with a 671, although a railsounds or trainsounds tender may work just as well, and allow you to retain the original whistle tender.
As far as “ruining” it goes, that’s up to you. The 671-2020 are fairly common, and a lot of them are in pretty rough shape. In my opinion when someone brings one of these engines back to working order it is a good thing.
Well, the fun project is over. Thoroughly cleaned the engine, replaced the brushes and springs with some new ones I’ve had laying around, lubed it up, and everything is running well. Need to probably buy some new pickup rollers, rear apron, and find a cotter pin for the handrail.
No repaint is required on this one, although on one side it reads 020 instead of 2020. I also decided to keep using the original pill type smoke unit. It’s a nice running little engine, and tracks over my O-31 switches well, which I was worried about.
Ya, got a couple of projects lined out in the next couple months. One more 2025, which I am repairing/restoring with all original parts, and a 2055 project I’m seriously considering[;)].
The worst part about the 2025 is the shell has to be repainted. It’s in pretty bad shape. After the last 2025 “restoration”, I want to make this one the best of the best I’ve done so far. Really have a soft spot for these engines. A non-running 675 brought me back into to the hobby, and it purrs like a kitten with all its original parts, except for the brushes, and no repaint to make it look good. Running under the Christmas tree right now.
The 2055 is another matter. Found a shell back in the day, and recently used it to practice painting on. Looks pretty good. Decided I needed to find the rest of the parts to make it a working engine. Gonna cost me a fortune! Probably wind up spending $200.00 on a $100.00 engine. The fun is in doing it. After that one, I’m out of junkers.
I wish I took pics of my 2343’s when I first got them as they acually looked like some kids played with them in a dirt pile when they were younger and then put them away in a box and forgot them. There was dirt caked inside the shell honest!
This set runs great now did what I could (I’m not that electrical minded) and then sent them to a guy I use in Baltimore to repair trains.) I couldn’t get the motors to hardley make a sound but I knew there was still life in them. he took the motors completely apart (removed more dirt) and cleaned them there was a lot of old grime in there also. put new brushes in them and they run like a champ now. had to get some replacement lens for the port holes. really does need a repaint job as there is where on top edges from being picked up but as a hole they are in vg shape the decals somehow were not distroyed there not 100% but they are like 95% on the nose and the side are fine when I ckleaned the engine I was surprise acually how good shape it was under the dirt. I think the worst was the trucks as 2 sides needed replacing and all the dirt in the trucks and gears and all. but for 450.00 dollars to get them I didn’t do to bad I got both the A’s and about 5 cars all for $50.00 so with my sending out to get finished and all It cost me about $150.00 for them and the cars so not to bad.
