Thank you for this video! After pulling my childhood set down from the attic after 17 years to share with my kids it wasn’t working. I followed along and now it’s running again!
I'm a newbie and have one of these. With tools in hand, I am working along with the video; thank you so much. I have the e unit out and already found a bad wire and now know why this locomotive was having issues.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 My brother had a Milwaukie Road - how I loved the way it smelled and looked. I have lots of great memories of the Chessie system operating where I grew up.
Warren , that was very good. I have not seen a video of one of these being dismantled , and now I don`t need to look any further .Very clear and easy to follow demonstration. Thank you for this excellent video.
I have been restoring my Lionel 2-6-4 Lionel Lines 2018, since a long time. Any way I learn more details about. My Dad brought my 2018 at a Walgreens Drug Store in TX. That was around 1956 . The Locomotive runs perfectly, with the original carbons. Built for life by Lionel. Many hours of enjoyment for me, one of my nephew, my sons and grandsons. Thank you Mr Joshua Lionel Cowen! You make a lot of people happy. My Respects for you. Eduardo Ramírez from Mexico
Thanks for watching Eduardo and a special thanks for sharing that story. It's those memories that make this hobby so enjoyable and keep it alive generation after generation.
A good way to clean out an e-unit is to give it a good spray out with contact cleaner that is available at any auto parts store. Just be sure to NOT apply power for a few minutes until the cleaner all evaporates because that stuff is flammable. No disassembly required, no flexing old wires with fragile insulation, no risk of damaging delicate finger contacts. Then disassembly is only necessary if the drum needs replacing, contact fingers are broken or bent or if the solenoid plunger still sticks.
Outstanding video. Restoring my 2018 with a liquid smoke unit figured I try it out... Next on the bench is a 646 restoration... Thanks again!! Enjoy all your videos. ;))
Thank you for posting this video. My engine was at the point where it was a hit or miss when I would put it on the track. Sometimes it would run other times and we just stay there humming and after doing this, it runs perfectly.
Excellent video,thanks for the outstanding detail and sharing your experience. Bill. Have some repairs on my steam engines,hopefully I can reach out and get advice. Thanks again.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 - if you’re willing to try, it would make for interesting content, and you might even be able to find people (me) to fund it. :)
@@elroySF I'm always open to try new things. This would be an interesting experiment that if successful would benefit the hobby and of course create some great content! Something I am willing to start a conversation about.
I use to use just the green scotchpad and "elbow grease", now I use a dremel and the brass wire brush accessory, medium speed to clean the wheels. I have found the clean wheels is important to properly ground the locomotive.
What matters most is the motor, and wheels. The shell could be an absolute mess. Most of the Lionel postwar can be brought back with a few hours of cleaning. Some REALLY bad surface rust may take more time and more disassembling to really get at the pieces to clean them. If the rust has pitted the steel, or the part has deteriorated, I would say its done. I would have to see the loco to really say for sure.
@Warren Muzak Postwar Guy thanks Warren, sorry for not getting back right away. My wife had a stroke, and I haven't done much of anything since. She's on the mend and doing well. Thank you for your reply. I guess I'll try to disassemble and see what's what. Although,I have no idea what I'm doing, but I loved your video. Thanks again..
Very good tutorial. I recently won a 2037 at auction. She is in ruff shape, rust , dirt etc. As a total novice, what would I look for to make it not worth cleaning/fixing myself?
Hey ASher. Thanks for watching! I find the pellet type REALLY work well with the liquid. I put 10 - 12 drops in (I use Bachmann brand smoke liquid) and it lasts for a long time.
Vaseline won't hurt these holder Lionel gears that are made of metal but do not use it or any petroleum based grease on newer plastic gears or parts. Petroleum will soften the plastic over time and cause gear teeth to strip off, making it necessary to replace the gears. This is especially a big problem with many old HO scale locomotives that were made 40 or 50 years ago. Lionel's O and O-27 trains built since about 1970 also often have plastic gears. In another unrelated hobby, this stripping out of plastic gears is also a big problem in sewing machines built in the last 50 or 60 years. To be safe, just use a plastic compatible hobby lubricant.
What a great video. I am going to do this on this same engine I've had since the 1950's and get it to run better for my grandson. Can you tell me what that E unit lever does? As a kid (and still today), I don't know it's purpose.
Thanks for watching! Im glad to hear you found this helpful. These are tough locos, and will be enjoyed by a few more generations! The lever on the eunit is basically there to A) engage the eunit so you can control the direction with the transformer B) to manually switch the direction. i have not heard of anyone actually using the lever to change direction, I do know that SOME eunits don't have the lever at all.
"Fair" I don't know. Under $100 for sure. The most I was willing to shell out for one of these in perfect working condition was $40CAD without a tender. This style of loco is very common, no magentraction.
I had a friend that would kick my but if I used a plyers to remover a nut or bolt . This was when I was a little kid . So I learned quick to use the right tool for the right job .
The Lionel 244 has the same motor setup as many other low end scout type locomotives. If you are getting a light with non motion forward or back that tells me immediately that the 2 direction eunit (lever sticking out of the top) is faulty. It could just be dirty or its broken. The 244 is a low end Lionel, the 2 position eunits in these are not very reliable as they have have a plastic piece which over time warps and prevents a proper electrical contact which completes a circuit, allowing the loco to move. See this video for a similar problem I had with an identical motor setup in this Lionel 247. Heres the link. ua-cam.com/video/scT7nFRa33Y/v-deo.html
The simple answer is that it changes the locomotives' direction. The technical explanation on how it works, I can't help you there. It's an electrical thing that I don't understand.🤔
Hi Warren, Great video. I'm pretty good at fixing Marx locomotives and would like to learn how to fix the prewar and postwar Lionel engines prior to all the fancy electronic stuff as well. I think your videos will be a big help. Do you have an email where I can contact you if I need to ask for help?
Hey Terry. Thanks for watching and reaching out. In my experience so far, postwar Marx and postwar Lionel at a basic level function the same way. The few Marx I have had to work on I was able to apply everything I did to the Lionel sto them. If you need to reach out my email is warmuzak@gmail.com. Have a great day! W
![How To Phase AC Train Transformers - Lionel, Marx, K-Line, MTH, etc [Two Methods]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/znIg27LU2HU/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for this video! After pulling my childhood set down from the attic after 17 years to share with my kids it wasn’t working. I followed along and now it’s running again!
@@andrewpalmgren9509 I am glad to hear this video helped and I hope you enjoy that set for many more years!
One of the best tutorials I have ever seen.
Good video. May 2018 hadn't run for 6 years, and after performing the maintenance, it performed great.
Thanks for the video on the Lionel 2018.
I'm a newbie and have one of these. With tools in hand, I am working along with the video; thank you so much. I have the e unit out and already found a bad wire and now know why this locomotive was having issues.
Welcome to the hobby! Thanks for watching and you'll have to send me a video of it running when you're done. You got this!👍😀
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 My brother had a Milwaukie Road - how I loved the way it smelled and looked. I have lots of great memories of the Chessie system operating where I grew up.
Warren , that was very good. I have not seen a video of one of these being dismantled , and now I don`t need to look any further .Very clear and easy to follow demonstration. Thank you for this excellent video.
Thanks for watching and I am glad to hear it was helpful! Have a great week Hardy!
I have been restoring my Lionel 2-6-4 Lionel Lines 2018, since a long time. Any way I learn more details about. My Dad brought my 2018 at a Walgreens Drug Store in TX. That was around 1956 . The Locomotive runs perfectly, with the original carbons. Built for life by Lionel. Many hours of enjoyment for me, one of my nephew, my sons and grandsons. Thank you Mr Joshua Lionel Cowen! You make a lot of people happy.
My Respects for you.
Eduardo Ramírez from Mexico
Thanks for watching Eduardo and a special thanks for sharing that story. It's those memories that make this hobby so enjoyable and keep it alive generation after generation.
A good way to clean out an e-unit is to give it a good spray out with contact cleaner that is available at any auto parts store. Just be sure to NOT apply power for a few minutes until the cleaner all evaporates because that stuff is flammable. No disassembly required, no flexing old wires with fragile insulation, no risk of damaging delicate finger contacts. Then disassembly is only necessary if the drum needs replacing, contact fingers are broken or bent or if the solenoid plunger still sticks.
Nice video. Very well explained and good camera work.
Thank you. I just became a subscriber!!
Thanks for watching and the compliments Steve and for subscribing! I truly appreciate it. Have a great week!
Outstanding video. Restoring my 2018 with a liquid smoke unit figured I try it out... Next on the bench is a 646 restoration... Thanks again!! Enjoy all your videos. ;))
Thank you for posting this video. My engine was at the point where it was a hit or miss when I would put it on the track. Sometimes it would run other times and we just stay there humming and after doing this, it runs perfectly.
Great, very clear tutorial on repair/maintenance of this classic postwar Lionel locomotive -- thanks for making this video!
My pleasure. Thanks for the wonderful comment. I'm glad to hear the video was helpful!
Excellent video,thanks for the outstanding detail and sharing your experience. Bill. Have some repairs on my steam engines,hopefully I can reach out and get advice. Thanks again.
Have a good day, Warren! 🤝 Great model 👏🔥 Amazing video! 🔥👏 Like! 👍👍
Wow Warren, thanks for an awesome video buddy, very helpful for sure 🙂
Thanks Warren, another great video.
Thank you!
Very informative! Thanks for posting. Question: Have you ever tried converting one of these to DCC?
Thanks for watching! No I haven't converted any Lionel to DCC. Its something worth looking into though.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 - if you’re willing to try, it would make for interesting content, and you might even be able to find people (me) to fund it. :)
@@elroySF I'm always open to try new things. This would be an interesting experiment that if successful would benefit the hobby and of course create some great content! Something I am willing to start a conversation about.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 Great! Is there a chat room or forum where we can take this conversation?
Oh, I see you have a Patreon. I'll hit you over there.
Is there a way to to take the boilfront off I wanna put a 8632 boilfront on cuz I think it’ll look good or is this not possible?
Thanks for watching. The boiler front is part of the boiler casting. It is not removable like some of the other Lionel steamers.
What is your method for cleaning the sides and especially the rail bottoms of the wheels ?
I use to use just the green scotchpad and "elbow grease", now I use a dremel and the brass wire brush accessory, medium speed to clean the wheels. I have found the clean wheels is important to properly ground the locomotive.
Great Video, Warren. I would like to ask a question. When is an engine to rusted to repair?
What matters most is the motor, and wheels. The shell could be an absolute mess. Most of the Lionel postwar can be brought back with a few hours of cleaning. Some REALLY bad surface rust may take more time and more disassembling to really get at the pieces to clean them. If the rust has pitted the steel, or the part has deteriorated, I would say its done. I would have to see the loco to really say for sure.
@Warren Muzak Postwar Guy thanks Warren, sorry for not getting back right away. My wife had a stroke, and I haven't done much of anything since. She's on the mend and doing well. Thank you for your reply. I guess I'll try to disassemble and see what's what. Although,I have no idea what I'm doing, but I loved your video. Thanks again..
Very good tutorial. I recently won a 2037 at auction. She is in ruff shape, rust , dirt etc. As a total novice, what would I look for to make it not worth cleaning/fixing myself?
Very good video, but I have one question: how many drops of that smoke fluid should I put in a pellet type smoke unit like that?
Hey ASher. Thanks for watching! I find the pellet type REALLY work well with the liquid. I put 10 - 12 drops in (I use Bachmann brand smoke liquid) and it lasts for a long time.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 Ok thank you very much!
Vaseline won't hurt these holder Lionel gears that are made of metal but do not use it or any petroleum based grease on newer plastic gears or parts. Petroleum will soften the plastic over time and cause gear teeth to strip off, making it necessary to replace the gears. This is especially a big problem with many old HO scale locomotives that were made 40 or 50 years ago. Lionel's O and O-27 trains built since about 1970 also often have plastic gears. In another unrelated hobby, this stripping out of plastic gears is also a big problem in sewing machines built in the last 50 or 60 years. To be safe, just use a plastic compatible hobby lubricant.
What a great video. I am going to do this on this same engine I've had since the 1950's and get it to run better for my grandson. Can you tell me what that E unit lever does? As a kid (and still today), I don't know it's purpose.
Thanks for watching! Im glad to hear you found this helpful. These are tough locos, and will be enjoyed by a few more generations! The lever on the eunit is basically there to A) engage the eunit so you can control the direction with the transformer B) to manually switch the direction. i have not heard of anyone actually using the lever to change direction, I do know that SOME eunits don't have the lever at all.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 Thanks again Warren, your videos are very helpful!
Thanks!
What’s a fair price for one of these used?
"Fair" I don't know. Under $100 for sure.
The most I was willing to shell out for one of these in perfect working condition was $40CAD without a tender. This style of loco is very common, no magentraction.
I had a friend that would kick my but if I used a plyers to remover a nut or bolt . This was when I was a little kid . So I learned quick to use the right tool for the right job .
I believe it. My family is full of machinists and other tradesmen. They all have chimed in. I'll just grab whatever is close and works.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 I know its easy that way . I just love everything that moves .
Hey I need some help with a Lionel 244 It won't move but the light turns on please please please help
The Lionel 244 has the same motor setup as many other low end scout type locomotives. If you are getting a light with non motion forward or back that tells me immediately that the 2 direction eunit (lever sticking out of the top) is faulty. It could just be dirty or its broken. The 244 is a low end Lionel, the 2 position eunits in these are not very reliable as they have have a plastic piece which over time warps and prevents a proper electrical contact which completes a circuit, allowing the loco to move. See this video for a similar problem I had with an identical motor setup in this Lionel 247. Heres the link. ua-cam.com/video/scT7nFRa33Y/v-deo.html
What is an E-unit, I don't remember what the switch does...it's only been about 65 years since I played with one!
The simple answer is that it changes the locomotives' direction. The technical explanation on how it works, I can't help you there. It's an electrical thing that I don't understand.🤔
Hi Warren, Great video.
I'm pretty good at fixing Marx locomotives and would like to learn how to fix the prewar and postwar Lionel engines prior to all the fancy electronic stuff as well. I think your videos will be a big help. Do you have an email where I can contact you if I need to ask for help?
Hey Terry. Thanks for watching and reaching out. In my experience so far, postwar Marx and postwar Lionel at a basic level function the same way. The few Marx I have had to work on I was able to apply everything I did to the Lionel sto them. If you need to reach out my email is warmuzak@gmail.com. Have a great day! W
i DID NOT see a single puff of smoke from that smoke generator
This guy kind of sounds like Morty from Rick and Morty