i have been lurking around on teh forums for some time and would like to say hello to everyone. I run all postwar stuff with 3 zw’s and love the way that i have everything running. I have spent countless hours getting my fathers and grandfathers trains up and running and am pround to say that i have a Norfolk & Western short stripe as my flagship. I have spent a good deal of time cleaning her up and getting her to run like brand new.
i am now getting into some of the older stuff and i am having some trouble finding info on some of the older stuff. The one that i rally would like to get some info on would be my grandfathers 1937ish 259e. i know that it is not a super desirable loco and that you can buy them already restored on ebay fairly cheap but that wouldn’t be the same to me. This loco has alot of sentimental value and i would love to restore her.
If some1 has any tips for me or any resources, websites, etc that can aid me in my restoration attempt it would be greatly appreciated.
Hey, don’t dis the 259E! I took my 259E to a hirail club once and ran it and it turned far more heads than anything else that was there that night. It’s not as big and won’t pull as much as some of the others, but it looks very good doing the things it can do.
My favorite locomotive remains my postwar 1110. It was my dad’s first locomotive, so its book value (probably $20 considering its condition) is irrelevant to me. I wouldn’t take $1,000 for it. So I completely understand the sentimental value of your grandfather’s 259E.
I am not aware of a specific pre war forum but there are folks here who are knowledgable about pre war items. I also have a 259E. I’ve only had to clean and lubricate the motor to make it run. It only has a few paint chips so I haven’t had to paint it but have painted other pre war cars. Tell us what needs to be done and maybe we can help.
the motor seems to run fine and pulls strong. the E-unit sticks and i have to tap the engine to make it start, or change positions on teh e-unit. the paint is in decent shape but i would like to repaint her. it is missing something on teh roof of the boiler, the first thing on the top. the other 2 items on teh roof are BADLY discolored. so i am probably going to repaint the boiler, and try to find the 3 items for the top to buy.
Hello Brian! I know of a gent who does superb restorations and can make your 259E look like a million dollars. Also,your E-Unit is most likely gummed up from old oil & dirt deposits.Spray some electronic cleaner inside of the e-unit and see if it frees up the moving parts.if so then that is what was causing your unit to stick.Contact my e-mail if you want to.Have a nice day…Keith