Can We Make it Run? $5 Vintage Junked Lionel Locomotive

Can we make this junked vintage Lionel scout locomotive I found in a bin run? I picked up this number a few months back for essentially five bucks ( I bought the whole bin for around $10) and after testing it discovered it didn't run. I Haven't worked on too many of these old Lionel locos so I wasn't sure what to expect with this job. I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the parts didn't seem to be in too bad of a condition (They don't make them like they used to) and with a bit of effort it only got better from there.

[heyjay]

I love that you put the “we” in the title. it makes it sound like we are repairing it together.

[ebt]

Despite being three years old, I saw this video just today, thanks to my son running across it. He got his first vintage Lionel a few weeks ago.

I once worked at a museum with a large model railroad, and we used only Lionel trains. Part of my job was repairs.

These Lionel AC engines are very durable. Keep the commutator and the brushes clean, lubricate well, and you are fine. Be sure to take off and clean the plate that holds the cluster gear. Vaseline works great as a lubricant. It doesn't harden like grease or run off like oil.

[johnsterling]

Harrison your new name is wizard, . There is not too many that you can't repair. So good work Wizard. 👌👍😇🇺🇸

[dkendrick]

The titles of these videos are like Bob The Builder, “Can we make it run?” “YES WE CAN!”

[VintageRenewed]

Older Lionel stuff is pretty bullet proof, most of them just need a little bit of tlc and it will run just fine

[ABDOSPIANO]

This is 1130 Colombian Loco featured in 1954 Scout set 1500!! A gift to me when I was 5!

[Kmaster]

Usually the postwar locos are built like tanks, greasing it up usually gets the job done, and get a Lionel transformer if you want to run O scale a bit because the MARX one will burn up eventually because the two brands have different requirements

[roguesans]

I actually own 2 of these Lionel 2-4-2 Scout locomotives, sadly they are in a bit of a worse condition than the one you have which your lucky to have one in a better condition which honestly makes me glad I found this video as this could actually help me repair the 2 of them as I been wanting to repair them and get them working again as well as find spare parts for the parts it's missing since the ones I got were gifted to me around Christmas as they were found at a fare and my family managed to clean them up a good amount but so far the rest I been gathering what's needed to have them restored so honestly thank you for making a video on fixing this type of locomotive!

[GaryDavis-irfh]

i dont doubt for a fraction of a second that you bring that old lionel steamer back to life, you are absolutely amazing!

[antonbruce]

Harrison, your skills are top notch! Beware, faulty locos...the force is STRONG with this one!!!!

[Petemonster]

SMT - Take a look at that wire running to the front of the mechanism; it is for the headlight socket. The head light socket has been broken off & lost; that wire is connected to the center-rail roller contacts & may short-circuit to the frame. It might also be a good idea to clean the brush holders & brush springs with alcohol & a Q-tip. You might also want to use that carbon pen to clean the center-rail roller contacts. You could also put some Labelle white Teflon grease on the armature shaft gear & it will be transferred to the center gear & drive wheel gears when the engine is operated. Do not put any lubrication on the E-unit.

[garysprandel]

Cleaning 60 or 70 years of crud off the electrical and similar years of carpet fuzz seems to have done the job.
You sir are the Mike Holmes of model railroading.

[bernardsaucier]

I am an O gauge & 027 gauge guy and was very impressed with your repair processes!,

[shockstrains]

Smt: I’m not very experienced with these old Lionels. Also Smt: *removes every nut, bolt and, screw*

[hexxoid]

Great restoration SMT! You should remove the shell, strip all of the paint off, and give it what it deserves: a fresh coat of semi- gloss black paint.

[robertbarth]

If anybody can, you can. You are the master mechanic.

[kevinjennerproductions]

Next should be some paint touch-ups. things been sitting, but that's ok SMT Mainline is here to spark new life into these old model trains, even lionel

[SuperNova-]

That’s a post war Lionel for ya. From box to running in no time.

[mercuryoak]

Wow that is someold Lionel. My dad has his simce he was about 4 years old. My great grandfather had Lionel trains layout and all. Im assuming he bought it back when my dad was born and gave it to him when he was older . It is from 1952, anyway I did the same as you did one day few years ago and man that locomotive needed oil and his freight cars needed cleaning carpet and oil gunked up . on his id be nervous about taking apart his motor is different where the comutator is more exposed . Awesome to see that one go flying as it needed just the right amount of attention. Nice job .

[BenandMylesMom]

That engine definitely ran like new after that amazing restoration! This has given me some info on how to work on O Scale engines as well for future reference.