Lionel F3 has loose wheels. Can I replace just the wheels, or shafts too?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I am trying to bring my old postwar 2333 NYC F3 back to 100%. I noticed it has been operated a while with 2 loose wheels. I was reading on the old prewar trucks, you could score the shafts with a cold chisel or giant nippers and press the wheel back on. I suspect my shafts are the hard type, and that when the wheel becomes loose, the acutal wheel is soft so therefor it wears out instead of the shaft. Am I correct in my thinking?

If and when I install the 2 new wheels, should I apply red loctite to them to prevent them from loosening in the future?

2

You can probably get away with another 60 years using a LockTite type product with your current wheels if they are still true, and treating the axles as you described… just go easy. I’ve done several steamers with CA(super glue).

Rob

3

Ditto what Rob said. I’ve used CA glue (like Zap a Gap) etc. to take care of this. I’ve one repair over 10 years on a prewar loco and not a problem. Have also done others.

Mike S.