Lionel F3 New York Central Lightning Stripe from 1983 & TRAINZ.com Restoration Refurbishment MTH

Every Lionel collector ought to have a set of these, don't you think? I found mine online at TRAINZ.com for $103.00 but a discount code brought the price down to $93.00 (plus shipping) One is motorized, one is a dummy and they both need some work. In this episode, I'll focus on the dummy unit.

[@fau008]

great job, and definitely an improvement. People get hung up on repaints but forget today's market is all about what people want and you made those more desirable with you repaint. My thoughts on the hobby center on the fact that collectors are a thing of the past and today the hobby consists of operators, so a good appearance out weights pure the old school collector grades. Prices reflect this as well.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for watching. 😀

[@wmhoward2249]

Great job Bob: I like the new gray, better than the Lionel, it looks much closer to the unit color when built, the gray faded over time and were almost always dirty. I saw the E units at La Salle St Station, in Chicago. I do believe you are now the King of the F-3s BILL

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Wow Bill, thanks so much! I like your idea about fading from sunlight creating the lighter gray. That’s the perfect backstory.

[@paulmancinelli5911]

Soooooo much better. You can't beat Tamiya and Rust-Oleum. Perhaps a shot of Dullcoat to blend it all together? In the end, it's your train, do whatever you want! Nice job!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Paul !😀

[@chicagolandrailroader]

Outstanding work as always. The value of that unit should go up, as it's clear someone took the time and effort to make it look great. Thanks!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks a lot!

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent paint match, Bob. Youre right, all o scalers should own f units.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Great work Bob! Even though the Rustoleum gray isn't a 100% match the multi-tone gray looks fantastic on that F unit. I'd almost say BETTER than original!
Some may disagree but in my opinion (and in looking at the trends) it's no sin to repaint a Lionel Post-War if the original finish leaves much to be desired, only the 100% mint-condition Post-Wars are bringing top dollar anymore. For articles less than mint the prices are starting to drop, in some places faster than others. This isn't the 1990s.
Myself, I'm not hesitant to repaint at all. Hey, it's MY stuff and honestly they look a LOT better repainted.
Thanks for posting!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Wayne!

[@markslioneltrains]

Awesome Bob.!😊 Great tips about your tape work. I've had some seep issues in the past. Much improved so another save in my Bob's Workshop score book.! WELL DONE.!👍

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Mark, I hope you’re having a great week. Bob.

[@Tiger-54]

Nice job! I like the Lionel F-3 NY Central , Santa Fe Warbonnet, Illinois Central, and Southern Pacific Daylight Diesel engines.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

I forgot about the SP Daylight F3s. Those are really cool.

[@billkilgore9575]

It looks great. I really like the black trucks and the dark gray apron.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Bill! I hope you’re having a great week. Bob.

[@leewofford3737]

What an excellent job I feel the same way but when it's done it looks really nice we want your UA-cam all time because we never know what you're going to do we are always amazed what you can do plus I learn a lot from watching other people they always say you don't get too old to learn.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thank you very much, Lee. I hope you’re having a great week. Bob.

[@chrisresor1893]

What a well done video Bob! Great choice of music and nice job on the locos!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Chris. 😀

[@dantiel4179]

You took a beater engine and made it look like a quality runner for a fine passenger train nice job 😃👍🚂

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks very much!

[@casstelles]

While I can tell the slight difference between the original gray on the bottom and the repainted gray, I think the repainted charcoal gray looks much closer to the original NYC paint. So, I think this is a success and done well.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks. I noticed the difference at the nose because I masked off the little rectangular door to preserve the decal. It’s the only place where the new and old colors are side by side. It’s not perfect but it’s making me happy. Have a great Memorial Day 🇺🇸

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Looks a 1000% better Bob! Looks like new again.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks very much!

[@carldebellis7310]

Beautiful work!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thank you very much.

[@kensbackshop6399]

wow Bob you have the midas touch on doing the shells on the lionel trains

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Ken!

[@splitchest9566]

👏👍

[@bobsworkshop5181]

🇺🇸

[@jimstahlheber9002]

I have found that using an adhesive enhancer does improve the final finish. I tried it on a couple of test pieces and it seemed to improve on my previous attempts.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

I’ve never heard of an adhesive enhancer. 🤔

[@RABSTRAINS]

Thanks Bob! It looks OUTSTANDING👍👍

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks very much. I hope you have a great weekend. Bob.😀🇺🇸

[@RABSTRAINS]

@@bobsworkshop5181YOU TO BOB🇺🇸👍

[@railchief74]

This looks absolutely amazing Bob

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thank you very much. I hope you’re having a great week. Bob.

[@paulbervid1610]

Great video as always

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Paul. 😀

[@huntercoleman460]

Looks great.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks very much, Hunter. I hope you’re having an awesome week.

[@r.c.1878]

I think it looks great!

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks!

[@genemanno1533]

For the amount of repaints I’ve seen on your video’s an air brush would give you a far smoother paint finish vs the rattle cans. Rattle cans do not spray other than a funnel shape pattern. A fan shape is preferred for good paint finish. Sure fine wet sanding and polish improves the results, but not in the textured screen, tight details, and loover areas.😊😊 Yes, this NY engine looks nice, now you need a powered base for it otherwise it is a rail car that looks like an engine.😊

[@bobsworkshop5181]

🇺🇸

[@stevesoscaletrainchannel.1901]

Wow, they look fantastic.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks Steve 😀

[@bobconrad5632]

Nice job! I really like the way you fixed it. What was the painter's tape that you used?

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Hi. The yellow tape is from Tamiya and the blue is from scotch. Thanks for watching!

[@robertmadison2752]

Better.

[@bobsworkshop5181]

Thanks 👍🏻