How To / FAQ / Newbie Index. What set to buy?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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Repair flickering or unlit LED lights in Lionel’s 213 Lift Bridge

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I have now put the led light link and fix coupler links in the first message. Thank you

Jim H

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FYI from another post

RE: Calculating transformer size for layout size

The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs
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Why did this not stay at the top?

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Dunno Buckeye… I was wondering the same thing… did someone unpin the pin or does the pin only stay in for certain period of time?

Moderators… can you unpin the pin and repin the post at the top using a new pin?

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What happened to our Newbie FAQ sticky? Perhaps they can only have one at a time. I have kept adding links. Perhaps it will deserve a sticky again?

Jim H

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JIM - wondering the same thing. Miss seeing this - hope the moderators put it back up top.

Can you please add the following:

Quick Disconnects 0.187" for FasTrack feeder wires can be found at Advance Auto Parts. Pack of 20 - all female for $2.98 Radio Shack - pack of 16 (8male, 8 female) for $1.98

Thanks!

Lisa

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Let’s bump this thread back to the top until they put the stickie back on it.

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Emailed Bergie to see about getting this fixed.

Lisa

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Thanks for the info. Very helpful. I’ve gone to the downloadable links and now feel as if I’m ready to get started wiring.

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Thanks moderators for fixing the sticky. Also, Lisa…thanks for the connector information. I added it to the first post.

Jim H

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Jim : I think this could go in here also !!

Lionel Coupler Spring Repair !!

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1075204/ShowPost.aspx#1075204

Thanks, John

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Jim : I think this could go in here also !!

Lionel Coupler Spring Repair !!

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1075204/ShowPost.aspx#1075204

Thanks, John

It is now taken care of. Thank you for the suggestion.

Jim H

34

Here’s the thread on scenery using ceiling tiles !! We can all find it fast, now !!

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1132261/ShowPost.aspx

Thanks, John

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Here’s the thread on scenery using ceiling tiles !! We can all find it fast, now !!

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1132261/ShowPost.aspx

Thanks, John

I added it to the FAQ. Thanks for the tip.

Jim h

36

Jim H:

This is my first posting. Hope I’m doing it correctly.

I’m trying to locate a reversing unit (“E-Unit”) for a Lionel 230 diesel switcher that I bought for $5 at a garage sale last week. None of my local train shops have it. I’ve tried e-mailing some of the parts suppliers that advertise in CTT, but no responses from them.

Any suggestions? Many thanks.

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Oconm77,

I added a separate post for you. To post to the list as a whole use the Post option instead of reply. I do not have an answer but someone else might.

Jim H

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oconm77,

I have found that emailing parts suppliers is largely a waste of time.

What works for me is:

  1. Using the “Library” at Olsen’s Toy Train Parts, or the K-Line (or Greenberg) Service Manuals for postwar stuff; or the Customer Service pages at Lionel.com (for modern stuff) I first ascertain the precise Lionel part number. The “exploded” or “pictorial” diagrams are virtually essential for this.

  2. Armed with the part number, I go to any of several websites of parts suppliers, locate the part (if available) and order online or by mail or phone. (Never e-mail.) If I have located the part number via Olsen’s most useful website, I try to buy parts from them in order to help support their online service, which is free to you but certainly not free to them.

  3. If I need help or special service I call Chuck Sartor at Mizell Trains in Colorado; David Laughridge (Dr. Tinker) in Massachussetts; Brasseur’s in Michigan; Stanley Orr in New York; or my own local parts guy, Charles F. Schmitt in Maryland; or the like. It is amazing how much info these guys retain in memory or can look up quickly. Sometimes, if a part is not available, they can suggest a substitute. Many parts suppliers attend train shows with large stocks of parts. You might consider getting to know a few of them. Forget e-mail inquiries.

Note1: Mechanical reversing units (“E-units”) have become increasingly difficult to obtain in recent years. Some parts suppliers require that you send them your old e-unit to exchange before they can sell you one, so don’t trash it.

Note2: In some cases it is possible to “upgrade” two-position e-units to three-position ones; or to substitute modern electronic e-units for the original electro-mechanical types. I find the electronic ones to be rugged, reliable and virtually silent (no annoying buzz). I have had very good luck with the QSI brand, some of whose parts are</

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On Oct 4, 2007 added links to parts suppliers to first FAQ post.

Thanks BF Skinner for responding to the e-unit request link.

Jim H

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TRANSFORMERS, postwar, essential reference, a must read:

An excellent chapter on old Lionel transformers can be found at

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd2g.htm

See the five-page generic section entitled “Transformer.” Included are pages illustrating the power draw of various postwar locomotives, lamps and accessories; as well as a caution not to operate a postwar transformer continuously at more than 75 percent of its rated value. Also there is a section showing the various hook-up possibilities that are possible with the old transformers. Anyone who has retained or “picked-up” an old transformer may benefit from reading this section, as well as the pages dedicated to specific transformers by model number.