While on vacation, I stumbled on about 15 boxes of postwar junk for sale. I say junk because they weren’t on display, just boxes and boxes of trains piled on top of each other! Since I had no way to test anything, I purchased as-is, and just hoped for the best! Here are a few picture’s of my latest find:
I will post a later to show how progress is going if anyone is interested.
Keep us updated.
Where did you spend your vacation?
[#ditto] Looks like a good find !
Keep the photos comming! Virtual Christmas!
We went to Colorado for vacation. These items were found in Colorado Springs. I feel like I got a pretty good deal on them. I have been working on them a little, and can now give a little more info. on the items.
2016 (the one with the silver boiler front). Engine is complete except for leading and trailing trucks, and drawbar. Works! E-unit cycles correctly with very little buzz. This is before any clean-up or lube.
2025#1. I made this one up with loose pieces. It is an early shell (aluminum stack), but I found a later motor, complete with e-unit and smoke unit, and found a steam chest for it. The downside is it is missing all linkages and both lead and trailing trucks. Again, it’s motor works, and the e-unit cycles well. Headlamp still works!
2025#2. I wasn’t going to buy this shell, but it had the rear truck on it. I tried to buy just the rear truck, but the guy told me I could have the whole thing for $7.00. It is also an early shell. Upon the $7.00 quote I went back to the boxes, and found a rusty and seized early baldwin driver motor, a couple junk motors that I’m not sure what they go to, but they had e-units intact. This is the only motor I have really worked on. When I got it back to where we were staying, I found some liquid wrench, and drenched the gears and brushplate in it. After about an hour it freed up. Today I installed an e-unit from one of the donor motors. IT RUNS, e-unit hesitates a little, but it works!
Out of 4 engines, all 4 work! I’m not usually that lucky! The downside is, I just ordered $60.00 worth of parts to complete just one 2025. I have a real soft spot for the early 2025/675 engines. I will keep both of them. The 2016 and 2036 will get cleaned, lubed, missing parts replaced, and either given away or sold. For the price, I just couldn’t pass them u
I know what you mean about the 2025. The more I run mine the more I want 2-more to give to my girls when they get older.
Kurt
I think it’s as much fun fixing them up and making them run as it is to watch them run. Have fun!
Another big yeah vote on the early 2025/675. Smooth as silk. Great rod action and with my eunit locked in forward, it’s purrs like a kitten.
Mike S.
Still a great deal with the parts - congratulations!!
Thanks alot mpzpw3…
Now I got the itch again…I picked up another 2025 alum stack last night…got any extra pilot or trailing trucks???
Kurt
Go fish. [;)]
I bought an all original 2025 shell, complete with the boiler front and possibly a steam chest a year or two ago in case I ever wanted to replace my 2025’s restored shell. I like the restored version so much I’ve never made the change. But that original stuff might be good to hang on to, just in case.
Jumijo: I may need your assistance in 2025 stamping abilities… This one may need a repaint. I’ve been looking for the 2025 and lionel lines stamps, but I haven’t found any that I really liked.
Kurt
I have 3 extra #2025 trailing trucks. All are in good shape. If you or anyone else are interested let me know. I got them on ebay to convert my 2035, but I need trailing trucks that are configured like the one on a #675. I’ll sell them for what I paid (which wasn’t all that much).
No sweat, Kurt. I got my stamp from Olsen’s. I’ve never bothered to compare it to the original 2025 shell. But if I remember to, I’ll do so tonight.
Here is my restored 2025 with the silver stamping I did.
I found someone on 'Da Bay that has ‘Lionel Lines’, and numbers…and I am inquiring into a Lionel ‘L’ with a double circle, and some custom numbers to redo an old 2028 shell that has faded. I want the old Pennsy shell to read ‘Lionel Lines’ to match up with the 6457 Caboose. Colors are about the same if you don’t put them together.
I’ll let you know how it goes. I know Dr. Tinker has numbers, but I’m not sure about the ‘Lionel Lines’.
After looking closer at my 2025, the numbers seem to have been redon…poorly, so I can’t tell how your stamp compares.
Prarietype: Can you send me a PM, on the trucks?
Kurt
Good luck, Kurt. The cab numbers in that 2025 photo I posted look white, but they are silver.
Be aware that there were several different “Lionel Liones” type styles depending on what tender the lettering went on. If not mistaken, decals are also available.
Jeff at The Train Tender has lots of decals and stamps. Cheapest I’ve found online too.
Kurt I sent the private message regarding the trailing trucks
Hey Jim,
A while back you posted about stamping in silver. I bought a 2046 stamp from Sharon at Olsen’s and white water-based ink before I found out that the 2046 was stamped in silver. I remember that you didn’t like the water-based ink but preferred something else. I cannot remember what it was. Was it Testors silver paint? If so, can you repeat how you prepared the stamp and cleaned the stamp afterwards?
Thanks
Mike
I used Testor’s paint, Mike. I painted some on a smooth surface, then placed the stamp in the paint. I then stamped once on the smooth surface (not in the paint) to remove any excess paint. Then I stamped the cab.
You can remove the Testor’s and clean it up with mineral spirits.
Jim
Are you sure its silver? I could swear it’s white.
mpzpw, now you need to find some tenders.