[Boston&Maine]

This thread will be where I discuss my prewar electrics, and what I have had to do to them

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Lionel 252

Original pictures:

Original parts list based off auction:

• Whistle
• Pantograph
• 1 coupler
• Light bulb

Additional required parts:

• Brushes
• Pickup roller assembly
• One ladder (maybe)

Unexpected problems with item:

• The motor mounting brackets were all bent... I knew that something was up before I bought it as the wheels did not appear to be centered behind the journals, but I was not sure what the problem would be...
• The entire motor needed rewiring... The original wires were half-bare, and the insulation just disintegrated when touched...

Progress on project:

• Removed all of the old wiring
• Cleaned the motor assembly
• Polished up the drive wheels
• Removed couplers
• Rewired the locomotive
• Straightened out the frame
• Repainted the wheels

Current feeling towards locomotive: 3/5 stars

Project finished yet?: No

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Lionel 253

Original pictures:

Original parts list based off auction:

• Pantograph

Additional required parts:

• Brushes
• Wheels
• Armature gear
• Headlights (maybe)

Unexpected problems with item:

• The entire motor needed rewiring... The insulation just disintegrated when touched...

Progress on project:

• Straightened out the cow catcher

Current feeling towards locomotive: 3/5 stars

Project finished yet?: No

 

[T-Man]

You should of got the extra shell, it had a pantograph. Is the coil good? That's what counts. A few wires is nothing. I see your rivet. It is exposed. Sandy up Maine does repair . I do not know if he has rivets and tooling or has college discounts. I will have to ask. Shucks, an engine like that should be runniing in 20 minutes.It only needs one coupler to run. I want to see it run!
Yes, I am a BOM (bored old man).

22 gage stranded wire. The last one I installed left marks. I used a screwdriver. I installed the center tabs then each end. You could just mount the old one on plastic. The material is only carboard.
A spreader tool is needed, Just to give you the edge. You might make one small enough. a bolt with some grounded wing nuts as jaws to do the spreading. One wingnut would be drilled out so it won't spin. A nut behind it would spread it. The tension needed wouldn't be much.

 

[Reckers]

Was that Bored, or Boring? *LOL*

 

[Boston&Maine]

You should of got the extra shell, it had a pantograph.

If the auction ended after I knew what this shell was like, it probably would have, LOL... I will probably just use a nut and bolt to put the coupler back on...

You will have to wait a bit to see this locomotive run... Maybe you will be able to see the 253 run, which comes later today...

 

[T-Man]

Don't bend the tabs all the way. Just enough to spring them out. I know you are going to strip the shell.
I probably shouldn't mention it, but you could improve your back drop. Mine can be lacking also.

 

[Boston&Maine]

I know you are going to strip the shell.

I am trying to resist the tempation T-Man!

I probably shouldn't mention it, but you could improve your back drop. Mine can be lacking also.

Those are the eBay pictures

 

[Reckers]

A spreader tool is needed, Just to give you the edge. You might make one small enough. a bolt with some grounded wing nuts as jaws to do the spreading. One wingnut would be drilled out so it won't spin. A nut behind it would spread it. The tension needed wouldn't be much.

I like how you make your tools as you go along, T. When I get time, I'm going to get some pics together of commercially-available tools I use. They might be an inspiration for you.

 

[T-Man]

Got Tool

Ebay Pics, talk about conservation of disc space.


Your roller removal/installation tool is called a snap ring plier. It spreads when you squeeze. One handed !!!!!!

update: The wheels may have to be spread for it to work, I used it on an old frame and bent it up a little bit.

Yes Reckers!!!
I always want to know about tools.

 

[Boston&Maine]

Thanks for the pictures T-Man; I will look into that tool... I am going to wire it later today and see if she fires up... I need to test the 253 also

 

[Reckers]

Tools thread has been started, T-Man....jump in there and show your stuff! I'll be adding more as I find time.

 

[Boston&Maine]

I rewired the motor today... I like how nearly everything is just a screw connection, LOL... When I put it on the track, it did not move and popped my transformer

I knew that meant there was a short, and I looked at my wiring and there were no problems... Then I noticed that the two brass pieces that the brush springs sit in were touching the motor frame

This locomotive was definitely in an accident at some point as even the motor frame is slightly out of line, and I assume this is why the contact was being made... To fix it, I simply added a washer between the frame and brushplate on one screw... Success! It was a little sluggish, but once I oiled and lubed it, the motor runs nice

On a side note, the 253 runs too

Now, with both locomotives, there was something odd about one brush in each... The piece itself was dotted with pits and felt harder than a normal brush... Also, the part where it touched the spring had turned silver in color... What would cause this? I can get pictures up if you want them...

 

[Boston&Maine]

I am repainting the wheels... I got too bright of a red, so for my second coat I will have to go out and get the next darker shade... From everything I have seen, these are not original Lionel wheels... Anyone know what company they are made by?

 

[T-Man]

Bowser makes the repro's. They are camel back motors. The motors clean enough.

Not a bad red, if you like the circus effect. The shell gonna stay army pea green?
Send in the clowns. Where's Recker, finally finishing his project?

 

[Boston&Maine]

Bowser makes the repro's. They are camel back motors. The motors clean enough.

Am I misinterpreting your statement, or are you saying the entire motor is a replacement?

Not a bad red, if you like the circus effect. The shell gonna stay army pea green?
Send in the clowns. Where's Recker, finally finishing his project?

This is not going to be a circus train, LOL... I am going to start on the 252 too soon

 

[Reckers]

I was in church, praying for your sinful soul. *L* Okay, then, I was chowing down on dinner at Asian Buffet #1. Hey, that car is really starting to look good! T-Man, I'm giving myself the weekend off: my lady is off work this weekend, so we're gonna watch movies and try to stay warm. If it warms back up Superbowl weekend, I'll clean up that last car on Saturday and then start assembling. Won't take me long, since all I have is shells, frames for 3 cars and trucks for two. Looks like a trip to the LHS is coming up soon, too.

 

[T-Man]

The wheels are Bowser. I installed new ones on the 248.
The price on ebay wasn't far off from other places. I didn't know till I got the wheels that they are Bowser. Bow WOW wow.
I was just identifying the engine. I haven't seen too many of those.
I was working on my switches so I am multitasking. I tend to jump to a new idea fast.

 

[Big Ed]

Am I misinterpreting your statement, or are you saying the entire motor is a replacement?




This is not going to be a circus train, LOL... I am going to start on the 252 too soon

I think he was saying that is who makes replacement wheels.

The motor looks like new. Did you clean it up somehow?


And the circus train? Just paint some white spokes on your wheels.:laugh:

I think we agree with you on the wheels being a little bright.

 

[Boston&Maine]

I was just identifying the engine. I haven't seen too many of those.

Uncommon is always good

The motor looks like new. Did you clean it up somehow?

I just used an old rag to wipe the grease off... Wait until it gets a rubbing with soap and water

I think we agree with you on the wheels being a little bright.

Yea, I need to wear sunglasses every time that I go in my room now :laugh:

 

[Boston&Maine]

I repainted the wheels with a darker red and they look much better... They may need another coat so I will wait to post pictures...

I also updated the first post with my 253 findings... The next week will be interesting as I decide what to do

 

[T-Man]

Run them puppies on a real layout!
When is the mystery engine revealed? Is that what you need the catalog for?