I have a 1983 edition Greenburg repair and operating manual for Lionel Postwar 1945-69. It does not show part numbers for all the parts and does not cover all models. Is the present book better than the one I have or is there a better book I can buy? Thanks for your help. [?]
I don’t believe that there are a significant number of changes since the book is based on postwar Lionel publications (and Lionel isn’t making those anymore…). When one print run is sold out, the next print run may contain some tweaking in intro text regarding errors or clarifications.
The out of print (probably never to be reprinted) four volume Greenberg’s Lionel Service Manual is the essential resource for postwar repairs. You might try ebay or one of the on-line book search firms like abebooks.com.
You might consider buying some of Jim Barrett’s repair videos instead. With them you have an actual procedure being done infront of you and it should be less ambiguous than some of the black&white illustrations in the booksl BTW, I have no financial interest or connection with either OGR or the videos. I just think them a good idea, well executed.
Try getting the “Complete Service Manual for Lionel Trains”
by K-Line, Reprinted 1982 by MDK Inc. 732 pages of the old
Lionel Service Manual, Repair Bulletins, Exploded views of
locos, accessories, operating cars, switches, UCS/RCS, and
wiring diagrams. Also includes a chapter on layout design
and wiring complete with layout diagrams from the old
Bantam publication “Model Railroading” copyrighted 1950.
it’s a great encyclopedia for keeping your trains operating!
Any idea where one can obtain a copy?
I got my K-Line book at my hobby shop, but I have seen these for sale
at York as well. Try the Greenberg booth at York. They have all sorts
of publications there, not just their own. The K-Line booth “might” have
them, but they are an older item. Maybe if we E-Mail K-Line a lot, they
would bring some to York? Check with your hobby shop and if they
don’t have a copy, they can get it for you. It’s a hardbound, navy blue,
732 page textbook. As of 1995 it was in its Ninth Printing. It covers all
stuff from 1930 to 1966, but it will also be helpful with today’s equip-
ment as well.
Sorry, there is no ISDN number, but you might try a book store like
Barnes & Noble or Borders Books (National chains) an they could
order a copy.
Hope this is helpful.
you can find the greenberg and k-line books on amazon.com
occasionally used and new for a real discount with free shipping sometimes.
I’ve got the Greenberg reprint of the Lionel service manual; I got my copy back in 1994, but I don’t know what version it is. It’s a great book, particularly for the inclusion of detailed drawings of the parts and assemblies in the Lionel engines and cars. Recently I got copies of OGR’s Dr. Tinker repair books. They seem to be good, though they’re more anecdotal reponses to particular questions than direct how-tos on general repair.