[Stillakid]

Okay, now here I have a 2460 Crane Car. Other than the window panes, the car is complete. I've tried everything to get rid of the white spotting, and nothing works. Should I leave it as it is, and move on to some of the other cars that need help? I really dislike those spots!!!!!!!!

The pics are all of my Lionel except for my 204, 218, 226 A&B and 2 6466W tenders. Several have been repaired/cleaned, but there's still a ways to go.

Opinions?

And yes, I know that I need a table:laugh:
But there's still all my "S" gauge to consider and my limited space........

 

[Reckers]

Jim,

It almost looks like someone spattered bleach on it. If that's the case, I'd try some 'cures' before repaining. Perhaps some blank ink on a rag with your fingertip or something similar---see if you can stain the spots with a thin liquid that won't be as obvious as touch-up paint.

I'm going to mention one other thing----I don't think it's the problem on that car, but it's good to know. AF, and presumably most older, plastic cars---often show a tendency to whiten with age. It's normally not as clearly spotted as your crane, though----more indistinct and with poorly-defined edges. Anyway, the problem I'm talking about is the plastic exhuding a mold-release agent over time that leaves a white cast to the plastic. Using an electric hair-dryer to heat the car causes the release agent to evaporate, leaving it pretty, again.

 

[Stillakid]

Reckers, when I first came on the site, you suggested that. I did try it, but it didn't work I'm guessing it depends on whether the spots are mold or some chemical. Remembering that I also had a, "Chemistry Set", it may be from something I, "Brewed Up!" -LOL!!!!-

 

[tjcruiser]

Jim,

Very nice (and growing) "fleet".

I picked up a 6560 (red) crane recently. A fun little car. That 2460 of yours is touted by Doyle in his Lionel books as, "what many collectors believe to be the finest railroad crane of the postwar era."

Too bad about the spots in the black paint. Reckers has some good tips above ... I like (but have never tried) his hair-dryer idea.

One thing about "black" ... it's not too difficult to match and/or blend in shades, like it would be with a more bright color. Hence, one of my newly favorite Lionel fix-it tools is my trustly Sharpie pen. It's certainly not authentic, but you can add color (black) with essentially zero surface-thickness buildup. And, if you rub your touch-up with your finger immediately after application (before the ink quickly dries), you can sort of blend it in to the surrounding area.

Yeah ... Sharpie = cheezy fix ... but it's worked for me.

Good luck!

TJ

 

[Reckers]

Oops! Shows how few answers I really have in my trick bag, huh? I think it looks like a chemical splatter, though----the spots seem to be clearly edged.
I'd take a long-shot and wander thru a hobby store or hardware store and see what they have---not a Home Depot-sized store, but one of the been-there-50-years neighborhood shops. Those guys tend to be very knowledgable about arcane products and processes. Take part of the car with you so they can get interested---they love a challenge.

 

[Reckers]

TJ,

That's a good suggestion. I like to save the Sharpie for last since I've found it sort of gleams when light hits it, but it's a very good idea. Rubbing it in may be the way to go. The hair-dryer won't work on a bleached-out area---and looking closer, this is a metal car, so it will not work at all, in this case.

 

[tjcruiser]

Metal frame and plastic body (cab) on the 2460? I don't know myself, but Doyle's book suggests that.

Jim?

 

[Reckers]

TJ,

What I am going by was enlarging the pics to see the spots. I readily acknowlege not knowing what I'm talking about, but what I think I see is metal in the scraped areas on some parts. Is therte plastic, too?

 

[Stillakid]

TJ, Lionel Fleet is, "maxed out!" need more rolling stock for my, "S" gauge.
Not gonna use a "Sharpie!" But since the windows are broken, and there are spots on the metal base, and it's for me, I'm thinking "Paint" and a new set of decals!

 

[tjcruiser]

Reck,

Ohh, please don't think I'm being critical. I know next to nothing about this stuff on my end. But I'm enjoying the learning process, largely by looking over the shoulders (so to speak) of guys like you and Jim. So when someone posts a snippet on a loco or car, I enjoy reading a bit about it (if I can) to learn how it's built/run/etc.

So, in this case, re: the metal vs. plastic thing, I was really just asking a question. My similar (but later date) 6560 crane is all plastic, so I'm wondering about how the earlier ones were made.

Just curious!

TJ

 

[Stillakid]

crane and cab are plastic, perhaps this has been reworked. My father used to win stuff in his poker games( NYC-bunch of old greeks) Came home one time, he and my uncle had a 9X12 Persian Carpet over their shoulders. All the way from Manhattan to Astoria

 

[tjcruiser]

Jim,

Re: pics at top of thread ...

The MOST important question: I see a Santa Rita wood case ... WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WINE?!? :laugh:

TJ

 

[Tuner571]

Thats a really nice collection, you sure have alot of cabooses.

 

[Stillakid]

Tuner, except for my original 1st set, I'm putting together 8 sets(8 grandchildren!)
I've still got a ways to go:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[T-Man]

If you think your spots are chemical rub with toothpaste perhaps let it sit a while. The will neutralize the acidic reaction.

 

[Stillakid]

I'll try it T-Man

 

[Big Ed]

The cab and boom is plastic.

The frame is die-cast.

The 2460 cab never contained a smokestack and the die-cast hand cracks were always the open crank version.

The 2460 Bucyrus Erie operating crane car was the first newly designed crane car of the postwar era.

Lionel's version is an accurate representation of a crane car that can be found on the real railroads.:thumbsup:

Made 1947 - 1950

Gray cab was made in 1946.

Marks to me look like spatter marks from some kind of chemical?

Or some kind of mold mark?


My Bethlehem Steel crane is a 2460 in the Bethlehem Steel thread.

Why don't you paint it and decal it your favorite Road name?:thumbsup:

 

[Stillakid]

Big Ed, I'm leaning that way. When I was trying to clean it last night, I noticed 2, very fine hairline stress cracks. Both at the cranks.

While I'm at it, I'll replace the electromagnetic couplers also. Considering I have all the parts, it's to nice a piece o not restore

 

[Big Ed]

Big Ed, I'm leaning that way. When I was trying to clean it last night, I noticed 2, very fine hairline stress cracks. Both at the cranks.

While I'm at it, I'll replace the electromagnetic couplers also. Considering I have all the parts, it's to nice a piece o not restore

Make it a Virginian Railway crane.:thumbsup:
Get some VGN decals after you paint it.
I think I saw some the other day on e bay.

I will keep my eye open if you want, as I have been getting different decals in the last few weeks.

My 2460 was redone to Bethlehem Steel (not by me) and as far as I'm concerned it looks better then what they sold when they were new.

And as far as I know I am the only one that has it in the 2460 model.

One of a kind.:thumbsup:

 

[Stillakid]

Big Ed, it's gonna be a "Virginian"

I was very surprised this morning when I opened the bag that I had it in. Did you know that the cab is "Clear Plastic?" What a "Hoot!":laugh:

What do you would look better? The base a flat black or satin?

And there's no changing the couplers.