My newest aquasitions. He says parts only, but the 763E is too nice to not restore. I have not met a vintage Lionel I could not restore. I will need a new cab. If anyone has any leads I would like to know. I like prodjects, and scale hudsons so I am thrilled and up for the challenge.
The 763 is a nice engine. I trust we can expect photos on the progress of it’s restoration?
I will certainly try. I do not own a digital camera but will try and borrow one. Would love to show progress, I get a kick out of seeing many of the members progress weather it be their layouts or the restoring of trains. Although I have restored many engines, I have a feeling that I am about to open a large can of worms on this one. Glad I know I have a great resource which is this forum.
nice finds…cant wait to see it restored and pics along the way…
these old engines just beg to be restored…
Hello Trainsandmusic! Give Restoration Train Parts in Gloversville,NY a try. They have parts like you need & should be able to help you out. Their phone number is: 1-518-725-4446( 11am-3pm) Take Care.
Are they located in the city? If so I will be there this weekend.
Oh, I forgot to ask. I cannot remember for the life of me, but what is the minnimum radius for the 763E? I thought it was 31’ but for some reason I am thinking 72’ now.
Best of luck with the restoration! I’m looking forward to seeing the results.
I’m glad that you won both the engine and tender. I hate it when sellers list things like this that belong together seprately! Although, in this case, I suppose I can see the logic in it since the tender is in much better condition and doesn’t require so much work done to it. I once won an engine and lost a tender on ebay, although I did find a matching tender for it eventually. Then there was the time I bid on three matching passenger cars and won two of them (which is better than just one, I suppose).
Got them today. The cab, as I expected is a total loss. It is crumbling. Everything else pretty much seems sercvicable. I might need to repalace one blind wheel as it is bent. Also the cowcatcher is smashed. A little tweaking here and there but other than the cab it is in fairly good shape, better than expected. The tender is good to go. Need to get the cobwebs out but, it works. The funny thing is there looks to be very little play wear on both, just deterioration as I believe was common on older Lionel die cast.
So, I need to find a cab. I dont really care if it is origonal. I believe I can modify a postwar or latter cab to work. I know the purists, I try to be sometimes, will cringe but finding an origonal 763e cab is tough and costly. I will paint it in the origonal gun metal gray with 763e numerals.If anyone knows of a hudson cab, please let me know. For now I will be searching the bay.
I don’t know about restorations but, I’m just trying to help…(hopefully keep it original[2c])
Here are some diagrams.
http://lionel.com/CustomerService/Findex.cfm
Here is a place that sells parts.
http://www.traindoctor.com/service/lionel/lionel.asp
GOOD LUCK!!
Can’t wait to see pictures.
Got a sneak peak today. Took off the binding wheel and drive rod and put her on the board. The e-unit is a little sticky, (easy fix). Even dispite the cobwebs she ran like a cheetah. Dare I say nearly as smooth as my cc773.
thats good to hear i was wondering about it…
Just found a shell on Ebay. It is a modern boiler that will need some alterations to fit. I am excited as this prodject has been on hold for a while.
I have a couple of stores you can try, the other members could help you more then I can.