All, Given a small assortment of old Lionel Trains during club train show recently. Been working on a couple of locomotives lately. Both of which are nice and clean, and run great! Minor cleaning and a quick lube job all that was necessary. The problem now is, finding parts for the 2 operating cars included!! I have: Lionel #3540 Operating Radar Car 1959-60 Need the following parts: 3540-5 - Radar Antenna 50-84 - Crewman Antenna - 465-7 Antenna Post - 465-6 Drive Belt - 3512-26 Lionel #36621 Operating Milk Car Variation "D", 1964-66 Need the following part: 483-2 - Base Plate and coupler Really just need the small coupler face. The hinged, moving piece! Or complete trucks with sliders/couplers etc..... If anyone knows a possible location for the needed parts, I'd appreciate it greatly! But, the 79 y/o lady that owns the trains, would be most happy!! She was thrilled to see one locomotive run, puff smoke, headlight, and whistle! Something not seen/heard in at least 15 years!! Maybe a bit longer. So, any help and/or information is appreciated! Thanks.
You might check sites such as TCA, TTOS, LCCA. They used to have ads from members who sold repair parts. I have a feeling the radar parts will be your most difficult task, unless someone makes reproductions.
3540-RS (green repro), 50-84BR fixed, 50-84BR seated, 465-7, and -6, 3512-26 belt, 483-2, all listed as in-stock. Lionel parts usually are NOT a problem. Can I post a link or address to train tender?
If you've got access to parts source, send me a PM with needed information. I'm just hoping I can find the pieces I need!
The more I talk about Lionel lately, the more an old spark seems to be burning. I dearly love that 1945-1969 stuff. Wonderful memories. Maybe I'll win the lottery and can buy some again. I recently saw a set on that auction site which I had. Price was a hair high, but if I'd had any money, I might have taken a swing at it.
Ended up getting ALL the requested parts locally. NSLHS repair guy, who started his own business, happened to have all the parts I needed, including the hard to find radar dish! Now, I just have to get the #$%&* rubber band in, on radar car, to get the radar dish rotating again! Aside from that, I also have a question on HOW to do a "deep clean" of the locomotives. That is, get any old dry grease, oil, dirt/dust and carbon build up out of the motor. Mechanism in general. After I pull the shell(s), I'm tempted to see if automotive brake cleaner will work, without adverse reactions to the plastic used. Or would a soaking in 91% alcohol work on getting stuff loosened up?? I'm hoping to avoid pulling motor apart, to reach brushes, unless I have no other choice! May have to though, I think, to clean the commutator. Although, would it be worth the trouble to go through all of that work, if the locomotives run great As Is?? A little resistance, when I first tried test running units. But, a very light touch of oil, and another test run, and both locomotives ran great! Keeping in mind, that non of this stuff has run, or been seen for probably over 20 years! So, if I can find a simple way to clean things, the sooner I can get stuff back to owner for her and family to enjoy for years to come!
