I have a Lionel Santa Fe 2353 F3 Diesel. Its in pretty shaby condition it needs a new body because on the nose there is a crack. It could possibley need a new motor I’m gonna give it a MAJOR overhaul, could u please tell me where i can find parts and if possible an estimate thanks.
UPDATE
I recently peeked under the body and both motors are froze up I don’t know if I can salvage them. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel no really the head light still works. Please give me some helpful hints.
For the mechanical work, you really need to get a copy of the repair manual. Our friends at Kalmbach publish a collection of the postwar manuals called “Greenberg’s Repair and Operating Manual For Lionel Trains 1945-1969”. The ISBN is 0-89778-040X. If you can’t find it locally, maybe Neil Besougloff can tell you how to get it direcly from Kalmbach.
Bob Nelson
Hi,
Very few F-3s are un-salvagable. Parts dealers are listed in the classified section of Classic Toy Train magazine. Some have websites that list all the parts they have available and there prices.
I had my pair of 2343 Santa Fe F-3s restored by my local service station about 10 years ago. They were in bad shape with battery damage to the power unit. I paid about $200.00 for the restoration which included sand blasting and repainting the frames, replacing the horn, and rebuilding/cleaning the motors. I left the shells as-is. The service station also had a selection of custom painted F-3 shells that I could have used as replacements.
If you want to do the work yourself. There are several good books and videos showing how to repair motors and horns. Kalmbach publishes a couple books by Ray Plummer that provide detailed instruction for repairs.
I hope this information helps. If you have some specific questions let us know.
Regards,
Tim Pignatari
I just figured out how to find the repair manual on-line. Go to http://shop.store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/index.html and follow the links.
Bob Nelson
There is an article on this site from a couple months ago that lists several parts suppliers with contact information. Check out the following URL address:
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/718otaul.asp
Regards,
Tim Pignatari
I have a Lionel Santa Fe 2353 F3 Diesel. Its in pretty shaby condition it needs a new body because on the nose there is a crack. It could possibley need a new motor I’m gonna give it a MAJOR overhaul, could u please tell me where i can find parts and if possible an estimate thanks.
UPDATE
I recently peeked under the body and both motors are froze up I don’t know if I can salvage them. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel no really the head light still works. Please give me some helpful hints.
For the mechanical work, you really need to get a copy of the repair manual. Our friends at Kalmbach publish a collection of the postwar manuals called “Greenberg’s Repair and Operating Manual For Lionel Trains 1945-1969”. The ISBN is 0-89778-040X. If you can’t find it locally, maybe Neil Besougloff can tell you how to get it direcly from Kalmbach.
Bob Nelson
Hi,
Very few F-3s are un-salvagable. Parts dealers are listed in the classified section of Classic Toy Train magazine. Some have websites that list all the parts they have available and there prices.
I had my pair of 2343 Santa Fe F-3s restored by my local service station about 10 years ago. They were in bad shape with battery damage to the power unit. I paid about $200.00 for the restoration which included sand blasting and repainting the frames, replacing the horn, and rebuilding/cleaning the motors. I left the shells as-is. The service station also had a selection of custom painted F-3 shells that I could have used as replacements.
If you want to do the work yourself. There are several good books and videos showing how to repair motors and horns. Kalmbach publishes a couple books by Ray Plummer that provide detailed instruction for repairs.
I hope this information helps. If you have some specific questions let us know.
Regards,
Tim Pignatari
I just figured out how to find the repair manual on-line. Go to http://shop.store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/index.html and follow the links.
Bob Nelson
There is an article on this site from a couple months ago that lists several parts suppliers with contact information. Check out the following URL address:
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/718otaul.asp
Regards,
Tim Pignatari