Lionel

Disassembly, cleaning, re-lube, of the dual motors and Running of a classic Lionel #2343 from 1950.
#classicmodeltrains
#lioneltrains
To donate Item's:
Classic Model Trains
1507 Old Hardin Road
Billings, Mt. 59101
Facebook/Classic Model Trains
@classicmodeltrains

[@russrh]

I was just going back through watching all the other videos waiting for this upload. Loving the new 'classic models' segment, and congratulations on the dream job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you @rustyroo82 for the super thanks, and your great support of the channel!

[@robertbenson4529]

Great videos on 2243. You are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I appreciate that!

[@regisbraga3833]

Twelve months later… 46 videos… more than 2,380 followers… thousands of good comments on the videos… and a new job, at a modeltrain store! You have to celebrate a lot! Congratulations my friend !🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@classicmodeltrains]

Muito obrigado Regis meu amigo! A Mocinha e eu vamos comemorar esta noite em um restaurante mexicano e tomar muitas cervejas. Então, de volta para filmar o próximo episódio.

[@regisbraga3833]

You deserve it Ron. And the Little Lady too, supporting you. Congrats to the couple! Cheers!

[@w.rustylane5650]

At the time I'm watching this, it's early December, 2023. It's cold out so I must make a fire in the fireplace. I guess it's probably even colder in Billings, MT. We have a Ham from Billings that checks into our 2 meter daily net just about every day. He's always telling us how cold it is there. On my Lionel Texas Special, it had a slot in the top for the reversing lever which it didn't have. So I taped a piece of plastic to the underside and used super glue (CA) and baking soda to fill in the gap. Sanded it down and touched up the paint. Now it looks great! Cheers from eastern TN

[@classicmodeltrains]

Luckily it's quite warm up here for December. Sunny and 60 yesterday. Cloudy and 55 today

[@oskarrunhaar6607]

Greetings from Hessia. Billings is very close where I live. Just the next county.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Greetings. I had to Google-machine ya and come up with a state in Germany? Ya, I would say were just across the pond from each other :-)

[@ronaldsnell1503]

Enjoy EVERYTHING on your Channel!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks so much :-)

[@jrmeindl]

When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I worked at a hobby shop and did many Lionel locomotive repairs. So many came in that were dripping in oil. The owner had a saying for all of those. One drop of oil works wonders, many drops work miracles. Also, the 'E' units can be popped open. At times we had to replace the drums and contacts, if damaged. You can take a small, long nose pliers and place them on the inside of the bottom of the unit. As you try to open the pliers, the unit will pop apart allowing you the service or replace the drum and finger contacts. Then you do the reverse to assemble it. Line everything up and squeeze it back together.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the repair tip on the E-unit. I hear the fingers like to cause problems. Its good the unit can be serviced. I wonder if parts are available?

[@jrmeindl]

@@classicmodeltrains I've seen e unit drums and contacts on Ebay.

[@footienz]

You might have missed your calling!...nice job as always and your commentary is both informative and witty! Top man

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my Video's :-)

[@rexxumus]

Ron, I am really impressed by your patience and skill! A great video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@SleeperBBQ]

you're rocking it my friend, you managed to make what one could have thought was going to be along 2-part vid seem short. TY

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks. Yes these 2 vids will take up hour and 15 minutes I believe. Does seem to move along quit nicely though

[@top4runner99]

Reminds me of my 2353 set me and my dad fixed up after sitting for 40 years when I was 12. I almost didn’t get it cause it was part of an estate sale and a guy outbid me since of course being 12 I didn’t have much money haha, anyways a guy I guess could tell I really wanted it so he bid for me and I got it. After cleaning all the old grease out and replacing the dummies frame since the 1960s era Rayvac battery that had been left in it destroyed it, it ran great. Which reminds me I need to set it up for this Christmas!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Great story that feller helping you out getting your Dad's loco. It's where it should be anyway, in the family!

[@patricksparks6631]

Thanks for the inspiration Ron, just dug out the childhood Lionels, almost same motors ... they are full Scoob. Another term I like to use is Smegg-ma ... LOL. Enjoy you work. Thanks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Patrick, Glad to help out.

[@pastorjohnmswanson5365]

Ron, I'm retired so I have time to have fun. Enjoyed watching you work on the F3. I have two full sets plus others as well and you make it look easy. For me it hasn't been so easy. Learn by trial and error and lots of youtube. You are good. Lately I have been tackling the E unit. At first impossible but as time goes on, I got better. I rebuilt one today and it worked. I took my time, cleaned everything I could, oiled things, and best of all got good results. I have another one I will do this week. Thank you for the fun you put into it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad your getting the old Gals fixed up and working again. Thanks for your kind words :-)

[@ashleydorsey2538]

The horn sounds so much better with a battery instead of a battery eliminater

[@classicmodeltrains]

I'm still needing to score a new horn. A few people have shared with me the battery eliminator is "not so much" thanks for your input :-)

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Good luck with the new job .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks :-)

[@bradwb6192]

Happy Anniversary. Grats on the new job. Excellent work on the engines, they look fantastic...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much there Brad :-)

[@gratzmyers3242]

I have enjoyed your whole Classic Model Trains production! I've collected many O scale trains, from Marx & Lionel to K-Line! You given me confidence in how to take apart and clean them! Lubricating moving parts properly is important, too! Thanks!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much for your support of my channel. It makes me happy that I have given a lot of Fellers, such as yourself the confidence and new skill sets to work on their stuff. Your comment really made my day Sir :-)

[@AEStudt]

Looking fantastic there Ron it's amazing what u can do with some of these engines

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@jebbohanan2626]

You sure are gonna end this full year on a HIGH NOTE! Congratulations! Looking forward to more Classic Model Railroad stuff! Or just regular model railroad stuff!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for supporting my channel Jeb, and all your kind words :-)

[@rickyrodriguez5744]

I subscribe to this channel now! After seeing the gentleman rebuild, the Z transformer (which I have on my layout) I am in. Plus, he has the schematics!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for the new sub Ricky! I appreciate the support :-)

[@electrician-bn7gr]

You my friend have a great view on life and model trains thanks for sharing with us 😊

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you too

[@walteranderson5090]

Wow what a testament to built in quality. Maybe Lionels venture capitalists of today will take a hint. Great work Ron. Your videos are so clear and presented. Congratulations on your new job. Give the name of your store. Maybe people can give you more business.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching and commenting. The hobby store is not mine, I just pull a shift there once a week. It's called Rimrock Hobby's, Billings, MT.

[@Galacticmaster]

I'm English and not an exactly a fan of US locomotives..but it's a pleasure to watch your videos and I had to admit that loco looked a lost cause and absolute beast when properly serviced. When you work your magic they seem to come alive better than new I would say.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much for your kind words. The U.K. loco's definitely have a different kind of styling to them for sure compared to American ones. We always love what we grew up on (mostly) :-)

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

Stunning Ron!!! You did a fantastic job on cleaning up these beautiful locomotives, especially the powered unit. You must be super proud to own this piece of Lionel history, and getting looking and running great. Now you can put this little gem underneath the Christmas tree and run it during the holidays. I think you really did a bang up job. Way to Go!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you so much for your kind words Tom!

[@pathvalleyrailroad9277]

That's a nice looking set. Congrats on the one year anniversary and on the dream job! That should help out on the train budget.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! I'm just hoping since I'm in there more, I don't end up spending more :-)

[@hopstrr]

Ron congrats on Hobby Shop gig. Love the vids. Digging the black dress shirt look, getting used to shave & haircut. You are doing a great job bringing your love of this hobby forward. Thank you 💜🚂🚃🚃🚃💜

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much for your kind words and supporting my channel :-)

[@chiconian49]

Great work, with a lot of knowledge and care. Congratulations on the job. Thanks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

Like you I model in most scales. Your repair video on the prewar AF ho hudson and this one really helped. Thanks, you have a regular watcher.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@henryszubielski8601]

Ron, I've enjoyed watching both parts in this series. Great Locomotives! Enjoy them!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you like them!

[@myjunkisstuffgarage967]

Three position refers to the sequence of events, each time the E unit rotates, it cycles through Forward, Neutral, Reverse, Neutral, Forward. So three position means you have Neutral, Forwaard, and Reverse. The Marx Reverse is a two position because it cycles Forward, Reverse, Forward. It has no neutral because it is of a different design. BTW love the outside shots on the test track! Time for a Carpet Central!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Them advertising executives can sure make something sound more awesome than it really is :-)

[@myjunkisstuffgarage967]

@@classicmodeltrains Don't trust em any farther than you can toss em!! lmao

[@TheCreativeMind]

Nicely done restoration. The Santa Fe's look and run great.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

My favorite A- B unit is Reading and Northern A#270 & B #275 the set they run in Jim Thorpe. You said about no hobby stores in town. Same in my areas. I grew up in Brooklyn NY there's train world on MacDonald ave. I moved to the lehigh Valley in 2000. Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton 7 shops with the cities. But drive a few miles in any direction outside the city there is about 30 shops. I like the hobby shop in Catasaqua on front Street i think it's called Tony's hobbies i forgot lol. they have lots of vintage stuff there. But I prefer the shop called "trains and lanes" off of rt33 between bath and Easton. They have right in the door way a O or G-scale 4000 seires UP big boy. (Not sure if it's 4014) but Lots of model train awesomeness there. And surprising enough not flooded with PRR or LVRR they have a good mix of liveries there.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like you have a lot of options out where you are!

[@johnsterling7420]

Ron great resto on the locomotive, 👍👌😇

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John

[@danielwhite1126]

Ron this is Dan. I have been watching your videos from day one and they are great. Your repairs and professional and easy to follow. I too have a set of 2343's they are the pride of my railroad. Keep up the good work my friend and remember KEEP ON TRAININ!!!!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Dan for supporting my channel and your kind words Sir!!

[@Lando452]

Awesome train and fantastic work as always.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much Lando!

[@13thBear]

Ron! Happy anniversary on the channel and many more to come! Great job restoring the Lionel locos. They look amazing especially from the low angle you shot them running at the end. Best wishes on the hobby shop job. I hope you have a successful run with them and expand your contacts personally and professionally in the Billings area. Gotta tell ya- the haircut and nice clothes really make the man. Ya look good in the bibs and engineers cap, too, but ya look nicely cleaned up in your black shirt.

[@classicmodeltrains]

13th, I know you've been following for a long time. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thank you once again for your kind words and support of my channel :-)

[@additudeobx]

Atta Boy Ron!!! Loved watching. Keep up the good work.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Will do!

[@theplumber33]

Snow running!!! Sweet. We have cold but no snow. Looks great with the sun in the background. ✌️

[@classicmodeltrains]

That sun shot came out nicer than I thought. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelphilo3525]

Two hobby shops in Billings. When I lived in Bozeman many years ago, I only knew of one in Billings. That was Jim's Junction. I wonder if it is still there. I only remember there being one in Bozeman (can't remember its name) and it closed up shop before 2003 when we left. And I will have to check my Lionel A-A set to see what model it is. I'm pretty sure it has the magnetic traction and it used a battery for the horn. I got it for Christmas in 1951 or 1952 when I was 5 or 6. The next year for Christmas I got an O-27 4-6-4 passenger set. At that age I thought I would get a train set every Christmas. I still have both sets but neither has been run in many a year.

[@classicmodeltrains]

The other shop in Billings is called "Central Hobbies". Located on the 13 hundred block of Central Avenue. Been there since 1973. Jims Junction has now been renamed "Rimrock Hobbies". Pretty cool you still have them childhood sets. Perhaps they might get re-lubed and do some track in the near future?

[@davidokelly1140]

Thank you Ron! Happy belated one year anniversary! Love these old NYC and Santa Fe growler f-3s. Well, I must say, I didn't hear much growling on your f-3, you might have changed the game with how your super chief runs, sure. Can't wait for your next video... Good day and good railroading!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks David, While they were running, of course I covered the sound up with music, but now you mention it....They were not as loud as others Ive heard on KZbin. Must be some good grease I have there? :-)

[@kerrywood8979]

Your young classic model is none other than Martha Stewart.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Fantastic!! Kerry, you are the first person to recognize her. After 2100 views!! I was beginning to think the picture was mis-labeled on the inter web. I never seen Martha young. Just mid to upper middle aged, So I would not have recognized her myself. Unless I was born 10 years earlier I suppose :-)

[@SantaFeBob]

Looks amazing running at the end. It’s ready to pull anything. Thank you for taking the time on this wonderful classic.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks SF Bob! Thanks for watching :-)

[@ArcadiaJunctionModelTrains]

Beautiful job and what a magnificent lash up. There was nothing like this on this side of the Atlantic and I can only imagine how a small young boy would feel watching this beauty moving around a layout up close. Must have felt like a real train! Love your channel sir.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@myjunkisstuffgarage967]

Love that you get to work (play) at the local hobby shop!! I've been lucky enough to do the same in the past and loved every second of it!!. Not sure how hectic the CHristmas season is these days for trains but back in the 90's the shop I was working at got crazy and I was doing repairs out in the customer area. IT was a blast with lots of curious folks asking questions and wanting to talk and all. Worked on everything from Lionel, American Flyer, Marklin, and all the ho stuff. Still haven't grasped the depth of the Marklin digital system lmao.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like a great time "back in the day" at the local hobby shop. Not sure how busy this shop is, time will educate me :-)

[@myjunkisstuffgarage967]

@@classicmodeltrains You will have a blast!

[@franktino6676]

Hi Ron ❗🎅 Those F-3 locomotives came out fantastic ❗❗Kudos to you for an anniversary of your great channel and for your new job down at the Hobby Centre ❗❗Happy Holiday Season to you ❗❗🎅🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Frank, you too! :-)

[@irenecraggs6123]

you did a nice job cleaning that up and getting her running right nice save it deservers it

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 👍

[@tracksidemike]

Thanks Ron another great episode and fantastic share 👍🏻🚂🔔

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@russellstone9056]

Awesome job. One suggestion. Play some Frank Sinatra in the closing shots. That would be epic. That era was so iconic. =)

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds good to me Russel but then the video will be de-monitized for copyright infringement.

[@russellstone9056]

@@classicmodeltrains hmmm... How about an indy version or free use version? It would be cool...

[@CannonCountry]

Great video! The patina on it with the scratches look awesome!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@Killstrike6660]

Love it!! Great video can’t wait to see more, good luck in future train restoration service.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@rickestabrook4987]

Your videos terrific! Thanks very much.

[@classicmodeltrains]

You're very welcome!

[@jonathans1191]

Well don't know if it got mentioned or not, but the e unit does come apart. Need a spreader plier to spread the side panels apart. The panels are not riveted together. Spread at bottom to access the drum, contacts and barrel slide. Just tricky to get back together...getting drum in place, then pinch sides to get a click lock and your done!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ive heard of a special e-unit spreader tool out there. I'm thinking I need one :-)

[@ecidaho]

Swank lighting and looking sharping in the black Ron! Channeling Yul Brenner as the Gunslinger! F Units look great. Really fantastic job. Nice night shot with the lights too! Congrats on 1 year it’s been a lot of fun watching your videos, please keep them coming! Happy Holidays!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for your kind words once again EC. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours also!

[@ecidaho]

@@classicmodeltrains Merry Christmas and happy for you to work at a hobby store!! Now you will not have to panhandle to get to hobby funds, just sign your paycheck over each week! Have fun and take care!

[@rwheatley0206]

Awesome setup buddy. Great job getting her refreshed and going again.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Crime Alley!

[@greglivo]

Love your videos and happy 1 year anniversary! The 3 positions are Forward, Neutral, and Reverse. The E unit will cycle through them every time track power is interrupted. The direction button on the transformer just cuts track power when it is pressed. Many Lionel operating accessories utilize track power through the remote control track section, such as the operating milk car, log dump car, dumping hopper car, and cattle car. So the train needs to be stopped with track power on for the operating cars to function. The train is then stopped in neutral with the appropriate operating car positioned on the remote control track in order for it to operate. The neutral position is also good for heating up a steamer's smoke unit for maximum smoke before starting a run, lighting up a passenger train stopped at a station, or for letting a rotating searchlight car scan the room while stopped. Some of the lower end locomotives, particularly from the late 50's onward, had a 2 position E unit that only had Forward and Reverse. Some really low end stuff was even made that was Forward only!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the information. I figured out the 3 positions on the e-unit itself, the Marketing boys decided to call that lever a 3 position, which if a guy didnt know makes it very confusing. Theres only one contact that lever open or closes. But with some though juices it makes sense. ALTHOUGH..... it never really dawned on me the accessories worked the way you described. Thank you for sharing that great info. The HO world all the accessories gets power from some where else. Now I want to get accessories for the O gauge stuff!! Thanks for your kind words once again Greg :-)

[@joeystrains.9316]

Awesome job on the restoration!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@jasonmarkum171]

Great shots at the end, very very cool 😎. Big congrats on the 1 year anniversary and on the new hobby store gig. Good stuff buddy!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Jason! Lots of learning a new P.O.S. system

[@raquaro1]

Yo, Ron. I just recently discovered you and wanted to tell you that you have a great channel. I am a few years older than the Lionel ABA set in this video, but still playing with trains. Started out with American Flyer because my dad was a layout instructor for the Budd Red Lion plant from 1940 to 1960 and he would have NO three rail trains in our house!! haha His personal favorite Budd Car was the RDC. He was very involved in that program. I "got back" into the trains in 1993, but in HO scale and have been on it since. Now retired and have a relatively SMALL switching layout at home. It is something to do..... Keep up the great work! You are a real master at the craft!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for your kind words and support of my channel!!

[@ntvinternationalnews4591]

I said it before, I say it again. You are The Locomotive Whisperer Ron!!! Thank you for another great video 👏👏👏👏👏. God bless and a Happy new year!!! P.S. Congrats for the new (dream) job!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Wow, thanks!

[@Randyincv]

Very good instruction. I've renovated several F3s but still learned a few things. VERY pleased to see fiberglass scratch brush being used. These brushes are superior to using emery paper on the commutator and E-unit drum.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Randy!!

[@Randyincv]

Also, In the "Power Trucks" I use Lucas "Red and Tacky" grease. It's superior to the usual hobby gear lube. It doesn't dehydrate and has the best "cling" I've ever seen.

[@williambruceboisjoli8455]

Great video, I went though my American Flyer like you did on your Lionel , and they run very well

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you got your A.F. all tuned up :-)

[@philliprowe2656]

Run great!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks

[@BriansModelTrains]

Congratulations on your KZbin anniversary. Another great video. Beautiful restore job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for your kind words once again!

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Nice work! Now they need a set of passenger coaches to haul around. Which of course means they also need a layout to run on.... You might need a second cabin! But seriously, there are few things on the rails prettier than an F-unit set in SF Warbonnet livery.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! Ive been looking for some true O gauge passenger cars from that era. Plus been thinking real hard about a larger building for a O- set up. :-)

[@mannyfernandez2921]

Nice video Ron!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@P61guy61]

Ha. I thought the same thing concerning the sonic cleaner. Was going to suggest it. But you figured it out already.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ive had a lot of good success with this cleaner. Sure speeds up the cleaning process!

[@P61guy61]

I worked in a hobby shop 35 years ago. It was a lot of fun! The owner had us build a 5x20 layout during our spare time. Enjoy your new position.

[@sailb7636]

Thanks Ron, I have this set with only the two engines. It is the 2343. Never knew it was rare. It has three passenger cars with it. It has the horn but the engine stopped running. Wish I had your skills so I could fix it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching and commenting. These are desirable for the years 1950-53 production run. The screen tops as they are called. Not the rarest, I've found out from other viewers. Quite a few of these were made. Unfortunately lots have been lost to time and damage. I hope perhaps you can watch this video a bit more, and gain the skill to get them going. Sounds like you have a pretty cool set there :-)

[@ninjarider2032]

Just subscribed today. Awesome videos and informative content. Awesome stuff.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks and welcome

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

You are the mechanic the mechanics go to! Great video! Classic model: Margret Nolan?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! The Model is Martha Stewart.

[@P61guy61]

Awesome. Glad to see this episode. Thanks Ron. Wonder if you could power it and run it while in the cleaner? Probably….not a good idea.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ive heard of guys doing that with slot car motors back in the day. I would probably not try it with this. Maybe a cheapy parts loco I would try it out and see how it works out though :-)

[@u571scooter3]

looks like you did a good job!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@u571scooter3]

@@classicmodeltrains I have an old Lionel steam engine no 8042.. would you be interested in repairing it?

[@classicmodeltrains]

@@u571scooter3 Must be from the MPC era? I just tried looking it up in my pre-post war reference manual. I don't really do this for hire. If you were a local feller it would make a good video, but shipping it back and forth would cost more than the loco is worth. I hope that don't sound mean of me.

[@u571scooter3]

@@classicmodeltrains Oh yeah its alright.

[@genemanno1533]

There are different versions of this motor assembly. On the idler gear (lower spur gear) one style spins in a pin, another the pin is press and swedged to the gear and the shaft spins in a oilite bearing. The later is prone to sloppy wear. I have corrected this using two miniature 1/8” x 1/4” sealed ball bearings and replacing the pin with 1/8”diameter in each motor to fit the ball bearings. I have no idea today where to acquire the bearings I had them since I was a kid for slot car racing.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for some great information :-)

[@actorprosvintagetrains7217]

Great vid I just bought Lionel New York central 2344 best engines plus I have the Santa Fe 2333

[@classicmodeltrains]

All night long...All night!... All Night long...All night.....

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you, and great score on that 2344!!

[@tedbriscoe6649]

And she featured a Lionel Train layout in one of her shows. It ran throughout her apartment and featured the Fe Sante Fe.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Oh really? I will have to try and find that episode! Thanks for the info :-)

[@xMrsmileyfacex]

Wonderful resto on that ALCO! Love every minute of it. You sir are a stand up guy. Would you be able to list some of your supplies that you use to clean, oil and grease up your engines and rolling stock? I'm making a list of things to buy so I can refurbish my American Flyer engines and rolling stock. Thank You!!! And Congrats on your one year KZbin Anniversary!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for your kind words on my video. I try and show what products I use in every video. Orderless Mineral spirits for cleaning and degreasing the mechanicals. Super lube multi purpose synthetic grease for the gears, and Labelle 108 synthetic oil for the bushings. Dawn dish soap for washing the dirty shells. Hope this helps.

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

SUGGESTION: next time in town, visit a drugstore and check out Dental Picks. There are these small nylon picks that look like tiny Christmas trees (white). Bet they would work great for getting in and cleaning places the Q-tips can't reach.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for the tip! Another great cleaning trick!

[@don679]

Great job getting that cleaned up! What kind of eraser are you using to clean the commutator ?

[@classicmodeltrains]

I am using whats call a "fiberglass pencil". they have them on amazon. usually red in color with a white tip

[@67gt500snakebite]

Thanks for your video. What are you using in your ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning solution?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Simple green.

[@67gt500snakebite]

Thanks, for all your videos. And letting me know on the simple green solution. Great, and helpful videos.

[@johnsadventures6783]

We used 3 in 1 oil also.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on!

[@williamkaczmarek3996]

So Ron, Do you remember the link for that battery replacement doohicky? I've got another (I think 027 set) that could use a horn and depending on what you come up with, might be an answer for me.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I found it on eBay. "Lionel horn battery eliminator" should bring one up for ya!

[@williamkaczmarek3996]

@@classicmodeltrains I'll give it a whirl!

[@j.mcq.8418]

You should check out the Addams Family show from the 60s. Season 1 Episode 1. Some classic Classic Model Trains footage!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ive heard about them running Lionels on the show. didnt know which episode. I will have to look that up. Thanks

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

These were probably run on track laid out on a rug on the floor, sucking dirt.

[@classicmodeltrains]

could be

[@georgegaab1375]

maybe for those hard to get to places a water pic (for teeth cleaning) would do

[@classicmodeltrains]

Pretty cool idea there!!

[@matthewwood4983]

Try a hair dryer on hi to warm up, the old grease..... then sonic clean.......

[@classicmodeltrains]

Great idea!

[@thespaz3832]

Hi Ron , Do you know where on online (wed site) that sell brush I have a tyco engine that need some? Also there little square ones never see that before have you? The locomotive is tyco western maryland. I have google tyco brush and parts no luck thought I give you a try.

[@classicmodeltrains]

There are no "new" parts available for tyco products. The best a Guy can do is search Ebay for Tyco-Parts and look around till you can score what you need. Or buy a beat up unit and salvage parts off of it.

[@thespaz3832]

@@classicmodeltrains I kind figure that but I thought I ask you sometime you win and stop time you lose lol. Thanks Ron

[@fredmarshall6240]

I bought one of these battery eliminator and it doesn’t work. I can’t find a way to get it back to the manufacturer or call them to see what I need to do to replace it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sorry to hear that. I got this one off e-bay. I suppose by the time I get around to installing it, any kind of warranty it might have will be gone.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Lionel make stuff to be put together not to be taken apart. Maybe all of the problems you're having with the horizontal Motors is why they were discontinued and replaced with the vertical Motors. Prototypically speaking you would never have a passenger train without it because that's where the steam generator was.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I was not having any problems with the motors. They went to the vertical shaft because they were cheaper to manufacture. Probably quieter also.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@classicmodeltrains there was an article in classic toy trains with the horizontal Motors versus the vertical Motors. Both of them had their good points but the vertical Motors were better runners and better pullers. I would not mind having a set on my layout but I will not pay stupid Collective prices simply for a name. Lionel nickel and dimes itself to death with taking details off of their top of the line engines to save a few pennies while turning off their customers because their customers were insulted by their actions. Every time Lionel cheapens their line they went further into the grave. Many things Outlast the companies that produced them therefore they should be making as quality of product as they can make. Details like that mean a lot when something is 30 or 40 years old.

[@genemanno1533]

@@frankmarkovcijr5459fr

[@genemanno1533]

⁠@@frankmarkovcijr5459Frank, the vertical motor used in the F3 was a cheapened version of the previous vertical motor used in the 2023-2033 Alco’s. Unless you are familiar with the hardware of each it is not apparent. The horizontal motor design is far super to any vertical design. Just the gear drive train alone shows this clearly. Yes efficiency of two worm gear meshes is more drag. But the thrust loads are alleviated by ball bearings. The truck spur gears on vertical motor design spins on small diameter pins that demonstrate a lot of wear. Horizontal does not rely on the Bakelite end bell to center motor shaft. Two long oilite bearings on both ends of long span housing along with ball bearing thrust bearings manage it. This alone aids commutator/brush area from oil contamination. The gear ratio used on horizontal motor design also yield lower speed and greater pulling power. Even the early version train master can not match the pulling power of F3. So in conclusion I have to disagree with your & classic toy’s conclusion in disfavor of horizontal motor capability. Horizontal motors in both Diesel F3 and steamers were far superior design & performance.

[@ashleydorsey2538]

You use a D type battery for the horn

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup. I know

[@kensbackshop6399]

The armatures do come out of the motor housing

[@classicmodeltrains]

Well I know they come out. Looks like a guy would use an arbor press, and the proper driver tool, and press down from the drive gear end, essentially removing the brass gear that's holding the armature into the housing. I just didnt want to risk it, and end up stalling the production of the video. I'm not "up" on all the aftermarket or replacement parts available for these. Thanks for watching & commenting :-)

[@marilynhansen3337]

Flush it out with some break cleaner

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sometimes brake cleaner can remove paint. I use B.C. in my normal day to day job and love it. I had a bad experience with it working on model loco's. But if your careful, its a great tool for cleaning :-)

[@markostroff8845]

Not being a train owner, why not spray the gears with some WD-40

[@classicmodeltrains]

WD-40 is actually a solvent that over time will evaporate. Grease or light oil will stick around for awhile

[@rickyrodriguez5744]

I’m in Southern California and there are not any O scale hobby stores near here. Terrible, kids are not interested in trains anymore. All I see are kids with phones in their hands. 1st to 5th grade level everywhere in society. Horrible simply horrible!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I hear you Ricky. Probably why all the new movies suck as well. Nobody has an imagination anymore.

[@kevinbianco]

Old f3 nice

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks