Lionel Trains Repairing and Servicing Guide
Frank Keenan
November 27, 2008
If you are a Lionel trains enthusiast, repairing and servicing your Lionel trains is a regular part of your hobby. You want to keep your trains looking sharp and working well for the most enjoyment. If you intend to sell your trains, then keeping them at their best is a key to receiving a great price. Most Lionel train repairs can be done right there in your own home. If you do the repairs yourself, you can save money on repair bills, and enjoy the satisfaction of keeping those beauties looking great!
Here are some tips for some of the most common Lionel train repairs:
If your train seems to be lagging, the reason is probably because there is some dirt, rust, or oil build up on either the track or the wheels of the train. These build ups can affect the connection between the track and the train. If there is not a good connection, then it doesn't run as well.
Cleaning Debris From The Track and Wheels
If you see some rust, use some sand paper to remove it. If there is severe build up, you can use a utility knife to scrape off the largest part of it. Alternatively, you can use rust remover. After you remove the rust, saturate a soft cloth with light oil spray, and rub the track with it. Then buff it with a clean part of the cloth.
If you see some greenish or crusty white build up, this is oxidation. Simply soak your track in oxidation remover for a few minutes, and then follow up with the light oil spray and buffing.
Be sure you do not ever use steel wool on your tracks. Little particles of the steel wool will come off and then stick to the track. These particles will get picked up by your locomotive, and could cause enough damage to ruin it.
If you have some stubborn spots of grime, a hard eraser will eliminate them.
Follow the same procedure for the wheels, but a Q-Tip soaked with the oil spray works better for cleaning the dirt from them.
Repairing The Track Pieces So They Fit Together Snugly
Another one of your common Lionel train repairs is getting the pieces of your track to fit tightly together. Over time, the connectors tend to become slightly bent, loosening up the connections. When you encounter this problem, use needle nose pliers to carefully bend the connectors back into place. When you have them back where they should be, your track pieces will fit snugly together again.
Repairing The Cars
Keeping your cars in tip top shape is also important. Dirt and oil can build up in these also. Use the light oil spray to clean them. If you need to apply some oil to small moving parts, use a toothpick to transfer a small drop of oil to where you need it. You don't want to overdo it in applying the oil.
Once your car is clean, check it for bent or broken pieces. If something is bent, you may be able to use needle-nose pliers to gently guide it back.
Most of the time you can replace any parts that need replacing yourself. Usually they are attached with small screws. Simply unscrew the part and screw the new part into place.
Where Do You Find Replacement Parts?
You can find replacement parts to complete your Lionel train repairs at your local hobby shop or specialty Lionel stores.
One excellent resource for your Lionel train repairs is LionelManuals.com.
They sell a 2 CD set that includes extensive illustrated repair instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and a parts and accessories catalog. They cover all Lionel trains manufactured from 1906 to 1986. These manuals make do-it-yourself Lionel train repairs easy, no matter which model you need to repair. You can become a pro in repairing your Lionel trains yourself with LionelManuals.com.
Frank Keenan is an avid train collector and is the founder of LionelManuals.com.
If you want to learn model trains repair and restoration, visit LionelManuals to discover the easiest and step by step approach to repair, restore and service your lionel train even if you've no experience before.
Claim your own exclusive lionel model trains repair course with over 2000 pages and illustrations. Learn how to work with lionel train parts and download free vintage catalogs from 1902-1986.
These lionel service manuals collection will teach you how to repair ho trains, O gauge trains and prewar and postwar models
Here is what is covered:
hobby trains
model railroad trains
toy trains lionel
lionel train set
lionel train repair
lionel train catalog/A>
Learn the secrets of the antique lionel trains repair with Lionel Manuals.com today.
Here are some tips for some of the most common Lionel train repairs:
If your train seems to be lagging, the reason is probably because there is some dirt, rust, or oil build up on either the track or the wheels of the train. These build ups can affect the connection between the track and the train. If there is not a good connection, then it doesn't run as well.
Cleaning Debris From The Track and Wheels
If you see some rust, use some sand paper to remove it. If there is severe build up, you can use a utility knife to scrape off the largest part of it. Alternatively, you can use rust remover. After you remove the rust, saturate a soft cloth with light oil spray, and rub the track with it. Then buff it with a clean part of the cloth.
If you see some greenish or crusty white build up, this is oxidation. Simply soak your track in oxidation remover for a few minutes, and then follow up with the light oil spray and buffing.
Be sure you do not ever use steel wool on your tracks. Little particles of the steel wool will come off and then stick to the track. These particles will get picked up by your locomotive, and could cause enough damage to ruin it.
If you have some stubborn spots of grime, a hard eraser will eliminate them.
Follow the same procedure for the wheels, but a Q-Tip soaked with the oil spray works better for cleaning the dirt from them.
Repairing The Track Pieces So They Fit Together Snugly
Another one of your common Lionel train repairs is getting the pieces of your track to fit tightly together. Over time, the connectors tend to become slightly bent, loosening up the connections. When you encounter this problem, use needle nose pliers to carefully bend the connectors back into place. When you have them back where they should be, your track pieces will fit snugly together again.
Repairing The Cars
Keeping your cars in tip top shape is also important. Dirt and oil can build up in these also. Use the light oil spray to clean them. If you need to apply some oil to small moving parts, use a toothpick to transfer a small drop of oil to where you need it. You don't want to overdo it in applying the oil.
Once your car is clean, check it for bent or broken pieces. If something is bent, you may be able to use needle-nose pliers to gently guide it back.
Most of the time you can replace any parts that need replacing yourself. Usually they are attached with small screws. Simply unscrew the part and screw the new part into place.
Where Do You Find Replacement Parts?
You can find replacement parts to complete your Lionel train repairs at your local hobby shop or specialty Lionel stores.
One excellent resource for your Lionel train repairs is LionelManuals.com.
They sell a 2 CD set that includes extensive illustrated repair instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and a parts and accessories catalog. They cover all Lionel trains manufactured from 1906 to 1986. These manuals make do-it-yourself Lionel train repairs easy, no matter which model you need to repair. You can become a pro in repairing your Lionel trains yourself with LionelManuals.com.
Frank Keenan is an avid train collector and is the founder of LionelManuals.com.
If you want to learn model trains repair and restoration, visit LionelManuals to discover the easiest and step by step approach to repair, restore and service your lionel train even if you've no experience before.
Claim your own exclusive lionel model trains repair course with over 2000 pages and illustrations. Learn how to work with lionel train parts and download free vintage catalogs from 1902-1986.
These lionel service manuals collection will teach you how to repair ho trains, O gauge trains and prewar and postwar models
Here is what is covered:
hobby trains
model railroad trains
toy trains lionel
lionel train set
lionel train repair
lionel train catalog/A>
Learn the secrets of the antique lionel trains repair with Lionel Manuals.com today.