I just want to say i am new to trains and i been reading on the site and wow. i bought a box of what looks to be older train set…it has three rails…so i think its o gauge…i am hoping it works i am getting ready to go wire it up…i think i got the info i need to do so…i just wanted to say hi and thanks for sharing so much information.
Zeke
Welcome[#welcome]
If possible to help with identification and to provide accurate information, a picture or identification numbers off the trains will help give you the best information. This way we can tell right off if you have Lionel American Flyer Marx or whatever. There is a boatload of information here and we are eager to share our love of toy trains as a hobby.
Jim
sorry about that i wasnt thinking…the engine says2025 on the side… i cleaned up the track some but there was quite a bit of rust on it…the engine isnt moving its crawling…i think i bought a broke train…not sure…i know the train has sat for a long time. I just am not sure what to do at this point…thanks
It most likely just needs some new track and a good cleaning and lubricating. All very easy stuff.
Zeke, here’s a suggestion: Go to the nearest auto parts store. Get some good grease (Lucas Red’n’Tacky is a good brand), a quart of automotive motor oil (you’ll only use a few drops but it’s cheap), and a can of CRC zero-residue contact cleaner. Spray it down with contact cleaner to get rid of the dirt and old lubricants. Take it outside, put down some newspapers, spray inside the engine, and let it all run out. Repeat if you feel like it. Let it dry, then put a little oil on the axles and bearings (a drop applied with a toothpick is enough), and put some grease on the gears.
Now instead of putting it on the track, connect one of the wires from the transformer to the front or rear truck or to any convenient screw on the body. Touch the other wire to one of the pickup rollers. Turn on the transformer, and let the engine run for a bit. Once it gets used to running again, it’ll work better on track. You may still need new track, but this is a good test for the engine.
Good luck!
Dave
If the track don’t clean up good, just replace it. I think you will need O Gauge track to run on, not 027 as your locomotive may derail going around the curves on 027, don’t forget new power lock-ons and wire.
Lee F.
Welcome to the forum. I agree what information has already been espoused, but would add: Check the cord for the transformer. You want to make sure the cord is not cracked as often happens with older units. Your 2025 is a fine engine and will serve you well. Another potential cause of poor running can be the connection from the transformer to the tracks and also the connection from track to track. If you follow Dave’s advice, you will know if your engine is running well.
Dennis
PS: Zeke, if you post what area you are from, one or even several of us may be close by and can invite you to a model railroad club, or even give good advice for service centers for trains.
Just a note. The postwar trains need to be in the upright position for the e-unit to function.If upside down the drum will not be turned by the pawl in the e-unit and sometimes the train will not run.If the e-unit is in neutral the train will appear to not work.
Ed
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]ZEKE,
Like DA GIZ stated above, clean track a good lube job, and good electrical connection.
Have fun and stop by the coffee pot.
laz57
Hello Zeke! If you happen to need parts for your 2025 Such as a Light Bulb, Pickup Rollers for the center rail (from the engine) or screws, Try Jeff Kane at the Train Tender as he has a ton of parts & another good place for parts is Doctor Tinker’s Toy Train Parts & he is very helpful also & both of them are on the web too & if you need part numbers,here are some: 1447 18-volt light bulb,Pickup Rollers part# SLS-254-3, Pair of Brushes-#226E-92. this is just to get you off to a great start & if you’re missing any other parts just give us a description & we’ll let you know what the # is. The above list of parts is typical of what usually needs to be replaced when one is working on an engine. Take Care.
WOW thanks for all the great info …i am gonna try to get it cleaned up today …i hope it works cuz if not i dont know what it do with all this stuff…my track was pretty dirty when i got it…the guy i got it from told me to use a wire brush to remove the rust and grim from it so i did…i hope i just didnt do more harm then good…this was before i read the info on this site…its all shiny now though…i live in redding , ca i am disabled vet…getting ready to turn 30 and need a hobby…always loved trains…my dad worked for amtrakk for 15 + yrs…so thanks again and i cant wait to get this bad boy cleaned up cuz i really like it…
can i get this at the auto store to or a hobby shop
Hello Zeke! I see you’re a disabled Vet. Thank for for your time in our Nation’s Military. Radio Shack should have the CRC Cleaner or any Electronics Supply House. Take Care.
Welcome aboard, Zeke,
Thought you might be curious about what make your engine is and a few other details. Your Lionel 2025 was built between 1947-49 with a 2-6-2 wheel configuration and then reintroduced again in 1952 with a 2-6-4 configuration. The tenders also differed on the '47-'49 model and the '52 version. When first offered, the 2025 was listed as 027, came with smoke and whistle and retailed for $24.50.
Bruce Webster
An auto parts store or even a good hardware store will have CRC. And like others have said, thanks for your service to our country. And don’t let anyone tell you you’re too old to play with trains. I’m 32. You and I aren’t the youngest people here, but we’re younger than average!
Also, wire-brushing track isn’t the best thing to do, but if it works, I wouldn’t worry about it. Down the line you’ll probably want better track, but I started out with wire-brushed rusty track too.
Zeke- Ole’ Bruce is showing his age tonight![;)][:P][:o)][:P][:o)] Next thing you know he’ll tell you he shook hands with Josh Cowen as a lad.[:D][:o)][:P][:o)] Don’t worry though he’s a swell fellow & our Corvair Guru also. (I bet Bruce walked Ten Miles to school …one way as a lad![;)][;)][:o)][:o)][:P][:D]) Take Care. P.S.- This forum is a combination of comedy,wit,wisdom, & knowledge. Otherwise, The gang at CTT would fall asleep if it was boring[zzz][zzz][zzz] Us Forumites have to earn our keep somehow.[;)][8D]
Young Whipper Snappers! I remember when computers were steam powered! At least the one that A.C.Gilbert and I built was. And it was ten miles to school, up hill, both ways! Try to tell the young people of today that and they won’t believe ya!!! [;)] [(:D]
Bruce ( further east of Cleveland than Kieth ) Webster
lol you guys are pretty funy…i just went a few hardware stores and radio shack and no crc so maybe the lhs?
i will get pics of my track and this ol engine…it looks to have had a rough life…
and just to clear this up for me do i need to take the engine apart to clean it?
Hello All! Bruce- I can remember when my Grandfather’s Corvair was Steam Powered-with the heat & smoke to boot also![;)][;)][:P][:o)][:o)] It was the only Coal Burning son-of-a-gun around![;)][:P][:o)] It doubled as a Stove too![;)][:P][:o)][:P][(-D][:-^] Zeke- Yes, you sure do have to take apart your 2025 & here’s how: Unscrew the Front & Rear Trucks. Then there are two screws that hold the Cowcatcher to the Boiler Casting & they are next. After that. There is a Long Crew with a small head that holds the front of the Motor to the Casting (about 2" long) & that needs to be unscrewed. Next on the list are the Two Screws that hold the Eccentric Crank Rods to the Center Wheels-Unscrew them & unscrew the two screws that hold them above the Crosshead Guides. Last,but not least unscrew the Main Screw on top of the engine near the rear of the cab & you should be all set. Keep all screws & rods in the order you took them off the 2025 to guide you in re-assembly. If you have any other questions. Just ask. P.S. Google CRC on your computer to see if there any stores in your area that has it in stock. Take Care & thank you for visiting the CTT Comedy Hour![;)][8D][:D][:P][(-D]
well thanks for helping me figure out how to take this apart…i got it apart and it dont look good its very rusty inside…hope this dont mean death for my engine…i got pics and will show you all… i am gonna try to clean this up…i know it needs a life breathed back into it…and i like doing that…but not sure what am am looking at or how to fix it…i am gonna clean this rust up…there is also alot of black gunk all over on the inside…i hope its repairable…