Repairing a 1946 Lionel 2020 Turbine For Fallen Modelers Son.

Lionel locomotive from1946 model 2020 with smoke bulb. first Generation.
This was sent into me by a viewer. He couldn't get it fixed for over 40 years. I spent a day on it getting it cleaned and operating properly and sent back down to him so his son and him could enjoy it just as he did with his Dad.
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#classicmodeltrains
#lionel2020
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1507 Old Hardin Road
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@classicmodeltrains
My second channel mentioned link below.
@RonsClassicRVs

[@marklinzeit]

So much effort. Result: Superb video! Took me a minute to get it: 'Horseshoe Mode'; LOL. Here's some help with the postage back. Thank you for fun on the 4th!

[@classicmodeltrains]

THANK YOU AGAIN!! you are so kind Marklin!!!

[@kingjulian9496]

Thank you both. I wasn't expecting that.

[@bikerboy1960]

Watching you give that locomotive a new lease of life was so satisfying. Your an amazing modelling engineer. Beautiful. 😊

[@kingjulian9496]

Ron, thank you so much. Honestly I teared up. It's the one locomotive he never got fixed. I'm forever grateful. You need anything ,I'm only a phone away. Thank you,thank you ❤

[@classicmodeltrains]

You are very welcome Norman!!!

[@CannonCountry]

Family treasures right there. Congrats on the memories to come.

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Just saw your video about this, had to check Ron's video out. Very cool.

[@roliekennelley5589]

Ron You may not be a "Lionel Master Mechanic" BUT you are 1 hell of a trouble shooter. Absolutely well done. 👏 Norman and his kids will love it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! I'm still in my apprenticeship :-)

[@PaulKepnerProductions]

Ron I wanted to say thank you very much for getting my dads old locomotive running again. Im older than Norman and I havent even seen it run. I remember my dad taking it to the hobby shop a few times trying to get it repaired and they never seemed to bring it back to life. Your skill is indeed incredible. Thank you! 🙏

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Paul, Thanks for reaching out and adding some more info to this great story. Glad to help out!!

[@KarlH1980]

They didn't have KZbin University. I have several Post War Locomotives. Most run not any better than okay. My 681, which is similar to this has been a stinker since my dad bought it used in the 70's. I'm looking forward to tearing it apart and seeing if it is worth all the range once she's been serviced.

[@bradwb6192]

See? Norman and I have something in common. We both like it when you work on our stuff, because we know, eventually, you'll get it done right. Masterful efforts on this one. Great job...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks M.C. :-)

[@casstelles]

It's good to see this locomotive come back to life after all these years of sitting non-operative. I don't have this locomotive in my collection, but I do have the MTH version of this locomotive, and I always found it to be a neat locomotive even though it was a one-of-its kind locomotive. Keep up the good work.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelphilo3525]

Wow, such persistence and perseverance. That was truly impressive. 1946 - the year I was born.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@harrisonross4009]

I say with all honesty you are an amazing man to do such a thing for someone. You seem to have a heart of gold . My hat is off to you sir . Amazing restoration once again love your channel looking forward to your next adventure happy independence day and be safe and God bless

[@azmike1]

I trust he was compensated.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Harrison, Glad you enjoy my work :-)

[@classicmodeltrains]

Nope. Did it for free. If it needed any parts Norman would have paid for them. Luckily it didnt.

[@harrisonross4009]

@@classicmodeltrains once again Ron my hat is off to you . Though I don't know you . your an amazing guy

[@azmike1]

@@classicmodeltrains understood.

[@fepatton]

Well, that put a smile on my face! Fantastic story and a beautiful locomotive. Nicely done!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Built back in a time when American craftsmanship meant something.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup!! This thing was quite impressive with its engineering :-)

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@classicmodeltrains Thank you for answering my reply.

[@classicamericanflyertrains2423]

I think they only knew how to build quality, no one yet learned the art of building junk.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@classicamericanflyertrains2423 Until the later 60's. And thank you again for answering my reply.

[@jagc1969]

Hi Ron. Your videos are getting better and better. Great restoration work. That machine is from an era when things were built to last forever. I had never seen such a big light bulb on a scale locomotive. And there are Japanese cars with smaller engines... Watching this video has been a real pleasure. Thanks for sharing. Now I'm going to watch the video of the tender (good cliffhanger, by the way)...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! I was thinking while working on this about all the fancy engineering that went into what's basically a Childs toy. They really made good stuff back in the day.

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Fantastic repair Ron, you made that trucker a happy man.👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 👍

[@dalerobertson9394]

That was an awesome restoration. Great job Ron. Love the channel.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Dale :-)

[@DavidGross-bb9qz]

Thank you for a great video

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching David!

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Glad you didn't give up . " Nothing beats a failure buy a try" Great job . Thank you for a great video .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for your kind words and a great saying!!

[@darrenrawlinson6344]

🚂Great rescue of a fine locomotive! Time for tea....🫖

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Darren !

[@cablemanf250]

Beautiful, Love the Commentary 🚂

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@normfredriksen1381]

It's always entertaining when you revive history. Keep up the good work using your skills and big heart to return memories to those that truly love this hobby and the loved ones that guided them there. It's a big family and spans the globe.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Norm!

[@user-tr3py5nz2j]

You did good, Ron! You did good. I hope Norm appreciates what you did for him. I have a 2020 that I got from my dad decades ago and between my younger brother and I, I think it is pretty much toast. I haven’t seen it run since some time in the late ‘60’s. My brother did gawd knows what with it during my Army years and it’s been stored away ever since. I know the boiler front is broke off, the light bulb is gone, the whistle unit in the tender is gone, and the original caboose is gone. I bought a work caboose in the ‘60’s and a Pennsylvania caboose in the 2000’s with the intention of trying to repair the loco and train, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. I’m old and fragile and spend more time at doctor’s appointments and sleeping than I spend being awake, so it’s does my heart good to know someone with a 2020 has a rebuilt working loco for my favorite railroad, PRR!

[@kingjulian9496]

Tou have no idea just how grateful I am. I teared up.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sorry to hear about the 'Ol 2020 getting so beat up in its younger years. Aging is real hard on a Feller, your story tugs at my heart strings. Sounds like this video brightened your day as well as Norman's. I'm hoping you get to feeling better.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Norman, I hope it was worth the wait. This Revival has such a good story that goes along with it. I will certainly remember it for a long time :-)

[@radarhec]

Rewarding work seeing how the old stuff works . Hey ? Ron

[@classicmodeltrains]

Taking stuff apart and successfully putting it back together....YES SIR! Puts a smile on my face for sure :-)

[@philipgordon2161]

That was a great job! Your channel is the best!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you so much Philip. 😀

[@azmike1]

Lionel stuff is metal, colorful, mechanical, fast,and noisy! That's the charm of Lionel! Congratulations!

[@classicmodeltrains]

I agree with you!! Love how noisy O stuff is when operating :-)

[@garykuipers2696]

You can locate Greenberg Lionel repair books online. I purchased one and it covers all of the Lionel products from the 1940's to the late 1960's. It's a reprint of the Lionel service center repair manual. For the most part I service and repair my Lionel and Marx trains. You did an excellent job for a first time diagnose and repair. You did a great job in fabricating the spring. These parts are available from dealers who specialize in Lionel repair parts. E units, well I'm lazy so I keep extra ones on hand. I purchased a 681 from an antique shop for a very reasonable price. Broke the locomotive and tender apart, cleaned and replaced the missing parts, runs better than new. Sometimes these contraptions can be a royal pain to work on.😎😾🐕

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! Ive seen the repair book. I think I have it saved in my wish list on amazon. Never really needed one yet. Just need to know where these dealers are with all the good replacement parts :-)

[@ronalddevine9587]

For me, I own 5 lionel Turbines, this was one of your best videos yet. I have wondered how to lube the front gears, and now I know. Good job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Ronald!

[@trainman5603]

I am fortunate to have some old Lionel smoke bulbs and a few engines with them installed. Most were changed out for the heat element units. The bulbs created a light shift coming out of the stack that gave an eerie sort of illumination on ceilings combined with the smoke as the train went around the track. Nice restoration job! Darn nice running engine!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Trainman. Pretty cool you still have some old bulbs. I hear there pretty rare.

[@trainman5603]

@@classicmodeltrains Yeah!

[@johnbanicki7232]

What a great video. Bet he was thrilled to get this engine running again. I had a 1948 Lionel that was my uncle's as a kid. I took it to the local hobby shop and they got it running again. Now it gets set up under the Christmas Tree every year. The grand kids all look forward to seeing the train. Thanks for sharing.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it John :-)

[@mobahartenholm9289]

Hy Ron. That was a great restoration. I taking my hat off, and for sure to our forefathers too. They engeneered stuff for eternity. I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. Greetings from Germany - Rainer

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Rainer!! Yup.. stuff was made way better back in the day :-). Thanks for commenting

[@rickholzhauer8584]

That was fun, I have my dad’s # 682 turbine from the early 50s. Most have been dropped years ago and broke the frame. It is displayed on a shelf in my home today.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Rick. Sorry to hear your Dads loco is broken.

[@darkwing7780]

That was awesome when you got the whistle to work! Very cool :D

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you:-)

[@NotGavin]

Great work on the repair! There’s nothin’ else like working on an old Lionel, i was thinking of getting a postwar Lionel to put under the christmas tree this year.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! You should get a tree train. Brings back memories :-)

[@martinstrick2439]

Thank you so much for that. I have a 671 and 681 I got in bits and your video is going to make putting them back together so much easier.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad this video can help you out :-)

[@metrotechguru5863]

Ron, you did a brilliant job restoring this loco. I'm quite sure I would have given up after the first ten minutes LOL. That loco was an excellent design for its time. Hope it lasts another 50 years.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Many thanks! Its got 50 more in it for sure!

[@AEStudt]

Congratulations Ron that was a tough one . I'm so glad you was able to fix it up for your friend. I know it was driving you crazy but you did it

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Many hours went into it.

[@kencole8104]

Hi, Ron, it's Ken. I just wanna tell you, thank you very much for the excellent video on the 4th of July.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Ken, You are welcome Sir!!

[@pastorjohnmswanson5365]

Hey Ron, you are so informative. I have about ten or so of the those 671, 681 and 2020. There are two version of the 671. The 1946 only version is a dual drive with a big drive gear. It’s impressive. They changed it in 1947 and and went to a different drive type. I really like the 46 because it’s like have 4 wheel drive.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! Yes many versions of the Lionel Turbine Loco

[@mdeange3]

Hi Ron, I enjoy all of your videos. Your expertise in restoring engines and trains is fantastic. In this episode, your determination in this rebuild made a dream come true for Norman and his family. You kept his Dad's memory alive, passing the torch of an heirloom for future generations. Tell Norman to keep the engine away from carpeting.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@thomasmoroney4993]

That’s the thing about objects..they mean nothing to anyone else..but to the individual they mean everything when they are a memory from a beloved family member….it’s like they are still here…great work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Thomas and I agree with your statement :-)

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

I appreciate your detailed restorations, thanks 😊👍!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Stephen :-)

[@linkmasters535]

Oh my goodness that’s amazing that you finally figured it out I would build or buy a acrylic case with tack inside and have a custom made plate with his dad’s name on it on a shelf 😢 very nice locomotive and tender priceless piece

[@linkmasters535]

I’m trying to find a good price for a 1980’s LGB 2017 powered tender for my locomotive it didn’t come with it so I have to find one separately and then the LGB 4021 Gondola Car G-Scale so if you come across any let me know please

[@classicmodeltrains]

That sounds like a wonderful display case for sure. I rarely come across G gauge.

[@linkmasters535]

Oh okay thanks and I was wondering which locomotives were powered because I found a place that is an antique store near me and they have a lot of train locomotives for sale for a few dollars and I was wondering if they were any ones that I should look for and I also found a locomotive and tender that resembles the big boy locomotive HO scale but with a very big price tag of $270 or higher I could not afford it but wish I did

[@linkmasters535]

I believe it’s a 4005 Union Pacific

[@cndctr111]

Nice work, I learn so much from you!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you! Glad I could help :-)

[@mjamesb66]

Hope you have/had a great 4th. Great video and restoration. Great inspiration to others in the hobby to repair their own engines.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you. Just trying to spread good info to others :-)

[@giopirmisashvili5514]

Thank you

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@F40M07]

Oh boy, a huge locomotive!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

It's got some size to it for sure :-)

[@CannonCountry]

Another phenomenal video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you :-)

[@raquaro1]

Pretty amazing, Ron. A labor of love for sure! Great work!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks a bunch!

[@TheCreativeMind]

Wow! A light bulb smoke unit. I've seen smoke pellets but didn't know they sat on a light bulb. Now I want to get more of these old engines

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! A real old way of getting er done. Not a big smoker though. Marx always seemed to out smoke a Lionel.

[@user-vf6hi8xy7f]

I’m not an ho man but I enjoy watching all your videos, especially the o scale. You are very intuitive when it comes to mechanical problems, you’re good with electric and you have a lot of fortitude, or comes to model trains in my opinion you’re one of the best on KZbin and I want you to want no I never write comments but I did enjoy this episode so I made an exception I will be watching in the future I also own a German Shepherd

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you VERY MUCH! your comment really made my day. Thanks for commenting this one for sure!!! :-)

[@user-se1fr9hy6n]

LOVE your videos; no matter what type train your working on! You have an AWESOME personality! Keep 'em comin'!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@davidkaralus7464]

Great job, Ron!! Another enjoyable video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you David :-)

[@SantaFeBob]

You did a great job reviving that locomotive. Thank you for the demonstration.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much SF Bob!!

[@scottthurman3625]

A few minutes into the video I wanted to pull my hair out, I'm ok now. You are a good technician. It was very satisfying watching you solve all the opportunities ( in sales there are no problems just opportunities) with this locomotive. Great video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it Scott :-)

[@paulpietrowski1940]

Fantastic job Ron , keep up the good work. Very enjoyable vids...

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Paul!!

[@longviewkelsolinesRR644]

happpy Independence day run have a safe and enjoyable day.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@garykellerup3470]

Nice work Ron!! Interesting video. Loved watching you restore it.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Many thanks Gary!

[@user-bl5ij6hc7j]

Don't know if you got paid to fix that locomotive but either way your a great person for helping some one like you did.we need more people in this world like this guy.good job buddy.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I didnt get paid from the owner. Made some $$ from the views on KZbin

[@regisbraga3833]

Superb job Ron! Your skills are really amazing! You’re a Master!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you My Friend!

[@paulburns3788]

Hello Ron how are you doing I think your a great fixer 🎉also have a great 4th of July.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Paul, I am doing well Sir!! Thanks for your kind words :-)

[@Lando452]

Great work

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@williamsantangelo]

Thank You Ron Happy 4th

[@classicmodeltrains]

Same to you!

[@williampetruno9138]

Great job, Ron

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks William!

[@bernardjones6162]

Great job! Enjying your videos!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Bernard

[@williamruss8830]

great job you are the best

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much William!!!

[@shayfan05]

Great Video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks!

[@joshuacampbell9990]

Those early turbines are a little harder to work on than the later issues. A lot of guys will swear by the Atomic motors but to me I prefer the later more standard design as it’s far easier to service and maintain. Nice job on that! It should provide another lifetime of enjoyment after that cleaning and freshening up!!

[@joshuacampbell9990]

Oh and one more thing, I’m seeing that slowly but surely you’re going to the dark side of 3 rail….. it’s dangerous to go that direction lol. That being said, I’ve been a O gauge fan/collector since I was a kid and I’m 41 now.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for your kind words. I cut my teeth on 3 rail and "S" gauge. I really enjoy it because of all the noise they make while running and the smell of ozone. Yup gunna be a 3 rail layout in my future for sure :-)

[@hessxpress3016]

another fantastic vid Ron. good looking Loco for sure. Happy 4th 🎉

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks, you too!

[@avidlisner8748]

That was FANTASTIC!! 🚂😁 Thank you so much for sharing this video!! Happy Independence Day!! Your SKILLS are INCREDIBLE! 👍 Very informative history lesson regarding the electromagnet. And the one-of-a-kind TURBINE locomotive .. built only once.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!! and Happy 4th to you as well.

[@caboosech]

Nice to see a grand old Lionel turbine in operation finally excellent job on the restoration of that classic model

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much :-)

[@bluesboyst]

Great job.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!!

[@monmixer]

Nice program, good job!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@guyelluzzi2705]

Dogged persistence and skill always pay off in the end! Great back story, and great to see this old beauty ressurected after lying dormant for decades. I'm sure ther was a lot of cussin' that got edited out of this one. Thanks for all the awesome content!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it. New words were invented :-)

[@butchmielke4200]

Great Job , Thanks for all the tips on this Loco. I have the 671 I must lubricate. Happy 4th of July!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Butch!!

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Great video, Ron -- fascinating to see the engineering on those first-gen turbines. Bravo on figuring out the workings of this complex beast!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Stephen. Lots of cool things going on in there

[@johniacono3725]

WONDERFUL, GLAD YOU MADE THE EFFORT TO COMPLETE THE JOB. LOVE WATCHING YOU TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEMS. YOU ARE A MASTER AND ALWAYS SUCCED AT YOUR JOB.

[@thomasshannon3393]

Hey Ron, happy 4th to you and the family. Great job on that turbine, those e units are a pain in the you no what!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Thomas and same to you. Yes them E-units are very time consuming to take apart and then twice as long to re assemble. Pretty cool design in what there doing. Kinda over engineered compared to a Marx :-)

[@johnmalley4355]

Nice rebuild, was worth the effort. Very nice show Ron. 👍🏻

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John 👍

[@swordkirbyfilms7747]

I own a 1954 release of the Lionel lines S2 #2020. I bought it along with four rail cars from the 1950s at the Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer North Carolina across the street from the North Carolina Transportation Museum. When I got her she had a few scratches. The outside may not look in good shape, but her mechanisms sure were. She ran perfectly. I did not even need to conduct repairs, which shocked me. Strange how a failure of a locomotive the S2 was in real life, became a massive success in the model railroad community.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal on a Classic!!

[@swordkirbyfilms7747]

@@classicmodeltrains It cost around $200 for the whole thing. In case you are wondering the what was in the purchase. A 1954 Lionel Lines #2020 S2 Turbine and tender, Lionel Lines #3451 log dump car with 5 logs, Lionel Lines #2460 crane car, Lionel Lines #2461 Transformer car, and Lionel Lines #6419 Work Caboose.

[@F40M07]

My 2020 has the same problem. Boy these locomotives sure are heavy!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

They are MONSTERS for sure :-)

[@johnorlitta]

Hi Ron, I really enjoy your videos and I always look forward to the next one. When you went into horseshoe mode on your multimeter I laughed out loud. I find myself going into horseshoe mode quite often at work to verify continuity of electrical plugs and wires. I'm happy that you were able to get that old loco up and running again, I'm sure it means alot to the guy it belongs to. Have a safe and happy 4th. Of July.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello John, Yup, being able to actually "use" a DVM for diagnosing issues is a great skill set to have. I hope your 4th is a good one as well :-)

[@w.rustylane5650]

Back in the day, Lionel used smoke tablets that rested on the huge light bulb to produce smoke. I didn't realize that Lionel used blind drivers even on the trucks. I run all my Lionel 027 on DC as they will run on either AC or DC. If you have a whistling tender, you have to disconnect it to run on DC or it will constantly whistle. Cheers from eastern TN

[@classicmodeltrains]

I hear DC makes them run quieter because the e-unit is not buzzing constantly

[@Russianpaintrain]

Well done !

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you :-)

[@stevencilento3364]

Ron great video! Just goes to show you that these prewar engines can't be killed. Just need a bit of work to get them in running order.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Stephen! Built to last back in the day

[@bartholomewsorrentino9013]

Awesome job, Ron! That’s the problem - too many parts!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you. Yup lots of pieces to this one

[@josephkearney9319]

Its intimidating but worth the effort. Nice work!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Joseph!!

[@kencole8104]

Cool thank you sir

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching and commenting Ken!!

[@danielwhite1126]

Holy Meat and Potatoes Batman!!! Great Job Ron I love your work and this site-----Keep on Fixin Talk to You Soon Dan the MRMAN!!!!!!!!!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Dan!!

[@revrup]

Perseverance. Success! You da man!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks :-)

[@stephenmoeller2408]

2020 is my favorite locomotive. Your restorations are prima. I would have liked to see you put that finger back on the E unit.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Stephen, I think I want one for myself now as well. Sorry I didnt video the finger re-solder. E-unit disassembly and reassembly is very time consuming but I suppose it should be filmed so others can learn how to do it.

[@dankamikubo7002]

Excellent work! What perseverance! I’m very impressed with your dogged determination to figure out how it all goes back together. As for the electromagnet winding, Lionel engines were designed to work with AC current almost from the beginning, and since there is no reverse polarity on an AC circuit, you can change direction with current flow. I hope this didn’t cut into your celebration of the Fourth!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you Dan! Yup the phase switches in the electromagnet winding and the brushes with the rotation of the drum in the e-unit. Celebrated the forth and made a video. Good holiday to me :-)

[@VB-bk1lh]

Great vid, perfect timing! I just dug out a nearly identical train set that belonged to my grandfather. I think mine is a year or two newer but still a 2020 with a 6020W tender running on 027 gauge track. I have the full set, and from what I can figure its from 1947 or '48. Its likely got less wear on it than the one you just fixed but its certainly due for some maintenance. It did run out of the box after at least a 60 year long sleep but I don't suppose its had much attention even back in the day. My locomotive has a different smoke set up, the smoker is a heated grid element, and the bulb only lights the headlight.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Yup the bulb smoker was only used one year.

[@matchboxcustomsandrestos]

Great job Ron! Makes me wonder if it started to run slow or stopped working and someone thought...Hey! Let put grease in there and that will make it work! Then it didnt work and they decided to put even more grease in.

[@classicmodeltrains]

It always makes me wonder how so much oil / grease is put into these things. Perhaps that's what some people think

[@jimstahlheber9002]

I was going to suggest that you rewire the e-unit but you ended up doing it, so good for you.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Jim. Yup. that original power wire was fried to a crisp. all the insulation was falling off. Rest looked good. Wanted to leave it "original" you know :-)

[@pathvalleyrailroad9277]

Happy 4th Ron.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!! Same to you :-)

[@Nathan5Chime]

Ron. Great repair. I don't think anyone is going to complain about your method of repair. I like your solution for the center rail power pickup. I like how you extended it with a single wire and used plenty of heat shrink to make sure it doesn't touch ground. I have a Lionel 682 that had a short and guess where it was. It was on that thin bar that comes up through the frame from the rollers.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Nathan 👍 Did you get the short fixed?

[@Nathan5Chime]

@@classicmodeltrains Yes I fixed the short by covering it with heat shrink tubing very similar to what you did.

[@RayBoebel]

Nicely done Ron!!! BTW, my Part 2 will be out this week.....looks like Im going to be doing a bit more work then expected on that old Penn Line. oh, and RESISTENCE is futile...thats that "horseshoe" mode as you call it :)

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Ray! :-). I'll keep my eye out for your next Vid.

[@genemanno1533]

You make cleaning a Lionel engine exciting……….even though it is a bit messy but sure beats watching grass grow. Good to see somebody else besides me that uses an ultrasonic cleaner………works wonders with cruddy, slimy, crud, and filthy stuff. Also good for carburetors and smaller car parts. Between the ultrasonic and a bead blaster any thing can be made like new again. Making the new spring is something cool. I like making parts rather than buy. Especially when I want to finish the build up NOW. That is a well designed engine for repair and longevity. About the only thing (E unit) is a pain in the ass to fix. I generally eliminate the E unit and replace it with a miniature double pole 6 position switch to achieve forward and reverse. I don’t have any need for idle. Your an interesting guy.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for your kind words Gene. I like the challenge of fixing the original or fabing up my own parts. Keeps the noodle thinking.

[@JCWise-sf9ww]

Well worth fixing up this old classic model train. Just like fixing up and restoring old tube radios.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I agree with you Sir!!

[@trainzmania2022ricardo]

That’s a beautiful model. I see that you have a ten wheeler based on the ICRR 382, that one would be good to be restored.

[@classicmodeltrains]

That Central Pacific 1880's from Tyco? It's NOS I purchased a month ago. There is a video on the D&RGW. Same drive setup.

[@JoseMartinez-lf5fg]

That flapper mechanism is a nightmare to work on. Lionel had come out with a kit to replace the bulb smoking unit with a standard smoke unit.

[@classicmodeltrains]

The E-unit? Yes they can be a pain :-)

[@jim-me9wm]

Fun video, makes me want a train

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! You should make that want a reality :-)

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

If anyone can do it, You can. Great Video. Thanks.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks very much Lynn!!

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Nice job Ron. Been thinking about building a Ho model of the 6 8 6 .

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Norman, You gunna scratch build it? That would be pretty cool!!!

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

@classicmodeltrains I thinks so going to use a rivarossi berkshire 2 8 4 chassis because the driver diameter is the same and make a shell make front and rear trucks just waiting to find a good donor I have 5 berkshires but they are in good shape I don't want to chop one up , we will see .