I"m trying to find out some information on a few locos that I recently inherited. Mostly about cleaning and restoration. I have a Lionel Lines 2037 loco with a tender that reads Lionel Lines but doesn’t have any numbers. There is a plate on the underside of the loco but it does not have any numbers. I also have a Lionel #246 steam locomotive w/o a tender. This one has no plate or other numbers at all except what is on the cab. Finally, I have a Lionelville Rapid Transit Street car. It has the number 60 on the side and under that it reads,“BLT 8-'55”. ANY information would be helpful.
The 2037 is one of the most popular Post war locomotives. It is a nice engine that has a proven track record. I believe it came both with a whistle tender and a non whistle tender, if yours has pickup rollers on the bottom of the tender, it should have a whistle. It does have smoke too. I would suggest getting a copy of Greenberg’s Guide to Lionel Trains 1945-1969. This book gives diagrams to the trains, but also give care and operating instructions.
2037 is an o27 engine sold in middle of the road sets in the middle to late fifties. Its a good solid engine by most accounts and easy to work on. You can get brushes and E unit(reverse unit) parts easily as well as missing trucks etc. The 246 is on the low end as you would guess by comparing it with the 2037. If it has the plastic cased “scout” motor you could have fun getting it to run well.these can be troublesome. The trolley is a nice little piece for 1955/56 I belive. Someone will correct me but I think it hasbumpers on each end that mechanically cuase it to reverse when it runs into something. This way it can run back and forth on a dead end track by itself. If you are the slightest bit mechanical these are all very easy to work on. Make yourself a wiring diagram before you take them apart and keep track of which screws etc go where and you should be fine. If you get lost, just post here and someone will help you out.
Welcome to the forum!
PS: DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL ANYWHERE ON THESE TRAINS IT WILL SHORT THEM OUT
One more thing don’t run the trolley for long periods of time they have been know to over heat and possible melt shell a little if ran to long. Not trying to scare you but some have caught fire because they ran them way to long. I’ve always been told to try to keep it down to 15-20 minutes intervals at most I’ve even know some to have them on a timer where they run a few back and FORTH’s and then rest for like 15 minutes.