A Family Waited Decades To See It Run Again.

Customers restoration of a long forgotten Pre-war 259 Lionel from 1932. Trying out different restoration "techniques" submitted by viewers. Brought the motor assembly back from the dead for sure.
#classicmodeltrains
#lioneltrains
E-mail me at: [e-mail]
Find me on Facebook: profile.php?...
Find me on eBay: www.ebay.com/usr/classicmodel...
Mailing Address: Classic Model Trains
1507 Old Hardin Road
Billings, Mt. 59101
‪@classicmodeltrains‬
My second channel mentioned link below.
‪@RonsClassicRVs‬

[@owenmccarthy2521]

It looks incredible Ron! I can’t thank you enough for taking on this project

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Owen! It is a bit softer on the eye now :-)

[@CannonCountry]

“I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night though” Damn that had me rolling with laughter 😂😂😂

[@DadMadeToys]

😂

[@classicmodeltrains]

A lot of people never get that one :-)

[@michaelandria4855]

Dude!!! I watched that cat vomit bit about 20 times! Hysterical! GREAT JOB MAN!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Funny how its eyes look like there gunna shoot out of its head :-)

[@F40M07]

92 years old!!!!!! That’s older than most elders in the hobby!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Almost!

[@Firemanharry]

Solid 33%er here. I could tell it was worthy of an academy award as soon as the first commercial break came up as a minute long. Great video Ron, please keep’em coming!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks FM Harry!

[@TheRobertSterling]

Ron, you have to be proud of this project, hats off to your patience to see it thru. Lots of blood, sweat, tears and a few laughs alone the way. Have a cold one and a rest...whewwww! Thanks for taking us along, great to be a solid 33%er. Cheers

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Robert :-)

[@johnbanicki7232]

Wow! It looks fantastic! You did a great job restoring this train. Thank you for sharing the entire process! And I did watch until the end, like I always do. Have a great day.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanking you John!

[@joshuacampbell9990]

33%er here. Those prewar Lionel’s can be a bear to work on and you have shown it! I’ve found that ANY rattle can clear will cause lifting issues anymore, so it’s just best to use gloss paint and forget clearing it. They can say what they want but there’s something different about it and it doesn’t play nice with anything. Only thing I can say about the stripping and sanding process is I know there are guys who worry themselves sick about trying to save as much of the original tinplating as possible on these early things. Myself, I throw them in my blast cabinet and lay the glass beads to them so I strip rust, paint, and everything in between off and start clean. Plus it gives plenty of tooth for paint to stick so no sanding is required. Regardless I absolutely love this video! You keep it entertaining and it’s always a great watch!! Keep it up man!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I like your take on the clear. Sounds like your on to something there for sure. I would love to get a blast cabinet. sure would save a lot of time. Thanks for your kind words

[@patrickhankin9903]

What an excellent adventure in restoration. We are 33 percenters. Great job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Patrick

[@johncherny8097]

Thanks for the journey Ron! Amazing work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John for watching!!

[@NormanAllen-ps9ju]

Ron, you did a masterful job of complete restoration of which you can be proud !! I enjoyed every minute of it ! I always enjoy the perfect job of lubrication that you do : Just the right amount !

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Norman

[@metajohn]

Outstanding Ron -- you are the Oak Tree on this one.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@rinnmhor]

Absolutely bloody amazing. Fantastic work.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much

[@DwayneBublitz]

Man I can't believe how much work! Makes me appreciate an original piece even more when I see what went into your restoration.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Lots of time went into it for sure!

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

Ron, you did a FANTASTIC job! Everything looks incredible. I could never do anything to the extent that you did. You said this was your masterpiece, and you are correct. You had me glued to your video the entire time all the way to the end. Hats off to you my friend. Tom

[@classicmodeltrains]

Wow Tom, thank you! You could do it too....Just have to start practicing :-)

[@kilroy9273]

33% here, Ron it looks amazing!! great job, you inspire me to pull out some of my old equipment and get it running again. Thank you for your detailed instructions it is greatly appreciated. You truly do fantastic work!! I love your since of humor too.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for all you support. Glad to hear your getting some Classics going again!!

[@MachGo66]

Give yourself a HUUUUGE pat on the back, my friend! I love the dedication and care you put into all your projects. I was in this video with you to the end. A pleasure watching you work. Thanks for the incredible effort you put in each week to bring us this content. Unbelievable and super satisfying to watch.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@josephv.agliatojr.851]

Ron, you are truly a master model railroad locomotive mechanic, outstanding job, always a pleasure to watch you do your magic !

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much Joseph

[@tonyurso4763]

Fantastic job incredible results paint looks amazing. Thanks

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@user-vv3nn4jc3w]

Excellent video Ron, great job on the restore…you got magic…must be the fresh air…this 33% stayed till the end and ignored the hockey game…!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for sticking around :-)

[@jamesmpalazzo9444]

Excellent show highly recommended 5 star show and keep up with it. You should win Oscar award and Academy (Emmy)Award so keep up with it.Ron

[@classicmodeltrains]

Your very kind James

[@bobmp3832]

It took me three days to watch the whole video (like a book I couldn’t put down) but it was an excellent video. The end result was great. Thanks for sharing it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Took me 6 to make it. You got it finished up in half the time :-)

[@russcrooker2223]

WOW!! The finished product looks AMAZING!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Russ

[@richd9505]

I had to come back to your show about 8 times, but it was worth it. You are the best.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Rich!!

[@FrancisOConnor-ch1us]

Outstanding! You’ve outdone yourself yet again.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks so much!

[@richardryan517]

That was an incredible job! A very stunning looking train. You should be proud.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@MozanaRN]

Excellent restoration. I enjoyed very much that you were able to bring something in such a ruinous state back to a collectable vintage model train consist. Keep up the good work and may your next effort be as rewarding as this one was.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@RayBoebel]

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! You are a miracle worker my friend!! A++++++++

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you so much 😀

[@thomasmoroney4993]

93 yrs in the making..The greatest model train restoration video!…worth an Oscar!…lol…great video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks so much Tom!

[@silvertrain7945]

That there was a labor of love don’t ya know. Great job of rebuilding the train. Even with the little hiccups, it turned out great. I have an old Lionel set that I will have to tackle some day. Thanks for another great video! 33%!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks SilverT !!

[@lotsatrains]

Wow that was so much fun to watch and I know you really put your heart into this Ron Congratulations on a fantastic job and a pleasure to be able to gain some valuable knowledge from your techniques also 👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad to help out

[@darrenrawlinson6344]

33% here too. It looks marvellous! I know your pain of wobbly wheels and lifting paint but we live, we learn, we walk away and then come straight back. 🤪This was a two teas/two buns video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! Every job is a learning lesson for sure

[@jime.9185]

What a GREAT job you did !! I liked the experimentation of different ways of achieving the same goal. Also adding your own great humor throughout the whole process. This was a great learning video. Jim E

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you so much!

[@normfredriksen1381]

😮It took me most of the afternoon to get through this excellent video. Seems like I have all day to do nothing but as soon as I decide to sit back for an hour to watch the entire video and for some reason the family decided they needed my attention also. I finally made it all the way through and have to say, great video Ron and well worth the time . The train looks beautiful and I feel like I learned a lot.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@buddy-wrenchgarage]

Glad to be one of the 33% on this one, she turned out amazing!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@ColdSteelRails]

That was exceptionally amazing to see your hard work pay off Ron, damn I’m still in shock seeing the restoration of it! Amazing!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much

[@orin3039]

Chitty chitty bang bang we love you! Seeing the final* product reminding me of the timeless movie!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Uh Oh!! Now that song is in my head :-)

[@goinsomewheretogether]

Wow! That was quite the deal. Great work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@markwakeley3835]

Ron, you did an incredible job. The loco, tender and cars are beautiful.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Mark

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

I went through an entire bag of popcorn 🍿 with this one ... that was a great movie!!! 😁👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Popcorn makes me happy

[@ruagoof2]

Ron you've outdone yourself...Simply B E A U T I F U L... Rich...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Rich :-)

[@WarbonnetTrains]

Very nice work, totally awesome!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@carltesh9612]

Ron, you've gonna outstanding job of restoring this old tin metal train.They say it's a labor of love

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Carl

[@rickmoustier1723]

Great video, Ron. Fantastic job. The loco and the cars are beautiful!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Many thanks!

[@hakannilsson9490]

Amazing work Ron! Very very nice!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@charinabarcillo9160]

OMG Ron What a beautiful job 🤩

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you :-)

[@robertwagner734]

Great job Ron ! I’m an o gauger and first video I saw was last year rebuild of zw . I’ve been hooked ever since, on all of them . Love your channel don’t change a thing . Straight forward , common sense and not afraid to get dirty. I’m no spring chicken. It’s nice to see other guys like myself still doing what it takes.🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Robert and thank you for following my channel :-)

[@johnbarone3426]

Looks great Ron and the wobble gives it character 👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

It has a hitch in it's giddy, kinda like me some days

[@rwheatley0206]

Awesome restoration Ron. Looks great.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you kindly

[@regisbraga3833]

Stupendous work Ron! Receive my best compliments for it!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello #2!! Thank you very much my Friend

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Great video sir , took me 2 days to watch it . Beautiful job , I give you A for effort ! Thank you .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@ronaldbrooks5982]

Outstanding Restoration, beautifully done.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much Ron!

[@jimanastasio192]

Wow. I'm only 40 minutes into this video and I'm already truly impressed. That locomotive is a wreck, but anything can be fixed if you want it badly enough. Ron wants this one bad. Real bad. Making that thing run and look good will be something to be proud of. I gotta run, but I'll be sure to watch the rest of this video later.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Do finish it. The best part comes up in the 3rd act

[@bigwoz78]

Hey Ron, Not a Lionel Guy here , never have been. But you had my attention the entire video. 33%'er here. GREAT JOB

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Big W!

[@user-wz4rf8fv4w]

Such an awesome job! Nice work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@MrZlooze]

Absolutely beautiful work! Get the wheels...too beautiful to roll like that!

[@classicmodeltrains]

That problem will be solved for sure

[@lynnzi3d]

GREAT JOB RON 🎉🎉🎉

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@g.r.railway7302]

Hello from Birmingham, England. 👋 Great channel, I watch your videos from start to finish love them. enjoyable, informative and entertaining.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Birmingham!! I'm a bit to the east of you in Billings, Montana. USA. Up north by Canada. Thanks for watching!!

[@scottudave4499]

Had to watch three times to watch all the way, but I made it. You made it worth it. I don’t know the deal, id say you definitely put in more than the train is worth (sentimental value and love omitted), so I’m sure they will be happy with it. As well as you should be.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I appreciate that Scott!

[@user-uk8jr6zc9l]

Dam Ron, Jersey Bill here this was a journey and a half. I think I would have bent them wheels till they were strait to the axels and broke something irreplicable. I hope the vender that supplied those drive wheels will stand by them and replace with new. If you do get new wheels, I need to see it run correctly, I have a vested interest now. I know how angry I am that they are bent, I can only imagine how you feal. It's like your parents remarried and you have red hair, it was out of your control. Bad new parts aside, it is the restoration steps and video itself that is the masterpiece. Thanks for the great show.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Jersey Bill!

[@dannyjones3840]

Ron- don't feel defeated brother- it was an epic restoration and video. I'm not even a 3 rail guy- but i love following along. Would love to put a few back with ya!

[@classicmodeltrains]

No defeat here. Just get a couple new wheels and install, then the job will be done. Thanks for watching it Danny!

[@jamesfitch6431]

Fantastic video. Great rebuild. You have wonderful patience. I'm proud to be a 33%ter... lol... you do wonderful work. Rock on Ron.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much James

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

Man! What a chore! But that’s the fun of it all. Great video , I’ll refer to it when I go to work on my 258 and 259e . I have used oven cleaner to strip paint off a Marx tin litho , works in 10 to 15 minutes, just dip in baking soda water to neutralize the acid.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John

[@ronalddevine9587]

Ron, I've had great results removing paint with Simple Green. Works Great, and non toxic (not too much! )

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on!!

[@stevegraflund1873]

One of your best. so much of the I tried this and tried that and here is what i liked etc. so much to help me.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Steve, Glad to help out

[@rickdee67]

Warm the tabs with a soft propane flame and they’ll be happier twisting! It really came out beautiful though! GREAT JOB 🤜🏼🤛🏻

[@classicmodeltrains]

Great idea!

[@ianlangan6976]

Another great video 👍👍.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Ian

[@ecidaho]

Dang! Your cleaning and painting is fantastic Ron!! It looks like it rolled out of Gimbles department store window.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Erick!

[@patricksparks6631]

"Holy Moly" Ron, out did yourself again, I was worried about you, last vid said you were sick, then no videos for a while ... great to have you back - always entertaining. 328 comments in 3 days. Great job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Patrick. Yes it's taking me awhile to get back into the routine. Plus this video took 7 days just to shoot

[@tmscheum]

33% all day long! Outstanding work and phenomenal result! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@jamescotter5376]

Great job Ron don't kick yourself you did real well that thing looks great I hope you solve the wheel problem great video keep them coming thank you brother

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks James👍

[@jonpowell-ov3yh]

Holy Moly!! If you ever decide to add boat restorations to your RV and model train portfolio, I heard about one that ran into an iceberg or something about 100 years ago and has been in a salt-water bath ever since...might be a little hard to get-to, though... Seriously, dude, you outdid yourself on this one. 👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Jon. I have done marine repairs. Very expensive and no collector value in the old ones. How about the Edmund Fitzgerald? It has a cool song written about it :-)

[@Stoogehead63]

Holy Moly! Fantastic job Ron, From a 33%.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnmalley4355]

Wow, that was a great restoration. Not everything turns out like we want, but you did a fantastic job with that old Lionel. Nice work. You couldn’t have done it if you didn’t stay at a holiday in express huh 😁good one Ron

[@classicmodeltrains]

Not a lot of Fellers get the Holiday Inn express reference :-)

[@fresnojason]

Honestly as one that loves tackling basket cases and bringing them back from the dead, you did an amazing job. Some things we just can't fix no matter how hard we try. I have had to settle or abandon my share or projects because either I couldn't get parts or the ones I got (like your wheel sets) were just bad. Well done in any event.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks and good to hear other restoration Fellers have problems as well.

[@roliekennelley5589]

Ron, An absolutely magnificent job. Hey if we were 92 we would have a "wobble" too. I'm a 33% too.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yep! Thanks for your support

[@MattKonsol]

Good job restoring that 259 locomotive with the passenger cars too!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Matt

[@n4pwx]

Ron I have to tell you I watched the whole video and man it turned out pretty nice I have to say this sure was your master video. Great job brother.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Dennis!

[@misterandersson5645]

Nice work, Ron! That train is now ready to take on the next 90 something years. $40 for some wobbly wheels seems a bit high to me, but they can easily be replaced at some point. Watching that Naval Jelly work was oddly satisfying, some powerful stuff right there. I'll just have to remember not to let any of it touch my Chevy, there would be nothing left once the rust and paint is gone! Keep 'em coming!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Mr A

[@daniellesmith1059]

Love your work Bro. I always stay the course.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I appreciate that!

[@eanferrell]

33%er checking in here. A job well done. I hope the customer truly appreciated the blood, sweat and tears you put into this job. Keep up the excellent work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Ean! Thanks for the support :-)

[@1983thunderbird]

You did an absolute beautiful job on this. It was a long video but , you had my attention for every second of it. You certainly have a special talent for working on these trains!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Wow, thank you!

[@k.beeler4240]

You really need a small bench top drill press to keep everything straight for tapping those tiny screw holes. Wonderful job on the restoration!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I know. Hopefully new repair area will be larger and have the room for one.

[@pathvalleyrailroad9277]

Wow, that really came out great! Fantastic work, I hope the wheels can be replaced to make it primo again without having to cannibalize the second mechanism.

[@classicmodeltrains]

New wheels are on there way

[@carltesh9612]

Wow wow I mean Wow! outstanding restoration

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Carl!!

[@williamsantangelo]

Yup Ron your the best! Blew my hair back and I'm bald! Excellent job sezz a 33 percenter times 3 with you all the way! Great show I Say TU

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks very much William!!

[@MichaelC-ig9tw]

Great job Ron. I really enjoy you videos.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@terrymatvichuk1421]

Really nice work, hope you got the wheels fixed.😊

[@classicmodeltrains]

working on them

[@alaskarailroad3996]

You done good. I always spray clear just after the base coat tacks up. Never had an issue.

[@classicmodeltrains]

A Few Fellers have mentioned doing that

[@colestrains1]

Ron, you made me buy a 259e on impulse, just waiting for it it to arrive. Incredible video and I’ll reference it if I need to repair on my basket case 259😂

[@classicmodeltrains]

I want to buy one for myself now as well!!

[@colestrains1]

@@classicmodeltrainsupdate: it worked (not very well) but when I took it apart something went bad and now it’s shorting. The armature sucks and I had to toss it but now I can’t find one for it anywhere😢

[@BulldogB101]

Did a great job man thing looks good!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@traviscurlutu7723]

Great vid Ron! I have some tinplate I'll be redoing. Will be using your ideas to fix my stuff . Keep up the great work

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Travis

[@Firedad4132]

That would have been a super expensive set in 1932, especially when families were trying to deal with the depression. Another good video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you, and I agree

[@jamesbach2021]

I know what a heart break it is to have paint lift after you have done all the prep. What a bummer! Even with that the finished product looked great! My Grandfather used to paint garden implement handles yellow and then he added multi colored rings to them. That way if somebody "borrowed" a tool he could easily identify it. I figured your pink tools were the same idea. Ha. Great video! Hung on till the end.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks James

[@robdinunzi9248]

WOW, very nice job! Can't believe the replacement wheels wobble as bad as they do. Not even close to square on the holes. Really a beautiful recondition especially for how bad it was. BTW, I'm the person who purchased the 1688 torpedo set you fixed up and sold. It is a beautiful set. I'll send you a video of it running around my Polar Express layout when I get the layout sceniced enough to get a good video. The engine didn't want to go around curves at first but a little tweek of the contact rollers cured the problem. Motor and e-unit work flawlessly. Thank you for taking the time and sharing these videos, very educational and entertaining. Always a 33%er.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Rob for your support. Glad that 1688 set is doing well. It sure was taken care of well

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

You did great work!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@stevenwaller192]

Hello there Ron! All I can is WOW! That looked like a wreck when you started. Congratulations on not losing a single tab to be re-bent. The motor rebuild was astounding as well. You got that crusty armature to run again. That was a long video and worth it. All us 33%’s support you!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Steven :-)

[@ericdelgado3395]

Excellent Video Ron Informative comparing techniques and ideas for removing rust from soft metals and using primers and paint!! One of the tricks I use but it is with gloss paints with an ultra gloss or high gloss clear I spray the clear before the final color coat flashes off and you spray your clear over the wet gloss and it sorta flashes together some Painters call it their Flo coat !! Humidity levels will affect gloss clears over flats or satins !! This was your best video by far !! With your Athearn Blue box SD-45 Gm Demonstrator now sliding into 2nd !! Thanks for all the great info !!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Eric and thanks for a couple of painters secret tricks. I will try that technique out

[@brentpodoll5848]

Loved the whole video i wish i could have been there to help with the paint work. It does look great .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Brent

[@donvoss9330]

Great Job Sir !! The Wheels Wobble Due to them not being perpendicular to the shaft when pressing them on the axle. Try taking the slip fit opposite wheel and placing it flat side against the press fit wheel while on the axle back to back and use the slip fit side to find high spot and straighten in your handy dandy little harbor freight vice, That might straighten them out. Nice work . Always a Good Video Man. Keep on keepin on.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you. The wheels wobble because the hole was not drilled straight. New ones are on there way