My neighbor saw me at our modular display and asked me to look at his Dad's trains he's been lugging from house to house for the past 30+ years. Except for the engine, I believe these are toast. What do you fellows and gals think?
He also has a boxed 1938 Erector set in great condition. Lots of O27 track that is NOT rusted and a transformrt with a damaged cord (told him NOt to start it up). The engine runs. He also has to American Flyer 3 rail switches and a 90 degree cross over.
Peter
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Here's another set he brought over....an early 50s Marx diesel freight. Just a few rusted axles.
This is a pretty nice set.
Peter
Yeah, other than loco the cars with a little help are runners.
Marx set looks to be in good shape.
I must say that you have a very special friend. As stated above, exercise caution when running these "jewels".
He wants to keep them because they have been in his family 50-80+ years.
The Marx set needs a little oil and cleaning, and, maybe replacing a few axles on the one or twoof the freight cars.
The O gauge Tinplate stuff....a 259 Loco/tender and some Ives passenger cars (and the passenger cars are really banged up and missing parts). Who does that type of restoration? Who would you all recommend he send them to? I have no idea. It's never been my area of interest.
Peter
It's possible he could find some parts at a train show but it would be my guess he may not be a train guy. Henning's trains has some parts but I'm not sure what Harry might have for Ives O gauge. I wouldn't suggest a full restoration on them meaning stripping and repainting once the lithography is gone it's gone! A good cleaning for the cars and some wheels and just run the nostalgic trains and enjoy them. Here is the link to Henning's trains.
http://www.henningstrains.com/
Those trains are far from being toast.
I largely agree with Chris. A few minor parts like wheel sets, and a mild cleaning will make those trains good to go.
IMHO, it is difficult to predict what sort of cleaning can be done on prewar trains, especially lithographed items. For example, some prewar Lionel red paint rinses away with water.
Most trains that old are going to have some scars.
Very good point. You definitely don't want to scrub them like a dirty fry pan! 
Peter; This video of my brothers old Post war set brought back to life may be some inspiration to you neighbor. I worked on the engine 4 hours alone doing a total disasembly removing the old cement like grease and lubricating & putting it back together.
Yeah............I concur with Chris and I add that these trains are what winter Saturdays and evening are made for; instead of watching the b**btube, this neighbor, if he is at all handy, could straighten out the cars' metal very slowly and gently. The engines' stanchions (am I right?) could also be straightened out.
Motors and wheels aren't to tough to fix. Yep these things take time, but these trains are repairable.
Don't assume that just because you can fix trains and enjoy doing it, that the owner can fix them and enjoy doing it also. Many folks are no good with their hands and tools, and will end up damaging something beyond repair.
I don't know who he can go to for the old tinplate restoration, but a note on the rusty Marx axles: They're easily cleaned with fine sandpaper, then WD40.
"Don't assume that just because you can fix trains and enjoy doing it, that the owner can fix them and enjoy doing it also. Many folks are no good with their hands and tools, and will end up damaging something beyond repair".
That's true Roy but hopefully the person knows their limitations before they start.
I agree that with some gentle cleaning and a little bit of repair, this could be a nice little tinplate set to run. There is something wonderful about having trains to run that have been in the family that long. I have my dad's original 248 set with four wheel freight cars. He kept it in great condition, and when he passed it on to me, I kept that up. It runs, and runs well. What is great about it is that when I see that train going around the tracks, it's not just a common, lowly 248 set, it is my father putting my hands on the transformer for the first time and letting me control the train; it is my father and I lying on the floor, with our heads close to the track so we can watch the rain come around the curve; it's he and I building a layout, and making sure the first train to run on it was that 248 set; and, after he had passed on all his other trains to my siblings and I, he held on to that 248 set to the end, finally passing it on to me. It's just a train, just as those Ives cars are, but yet, they are more than trains....so I would say fix 'em up, run 'em, and enjoy the memories.
Hank
quote:if he is at all handy, could straighten out the cars' metal very slowly and gently. The engines' stanchions (am I right?) could also be straightened out.
The paint is likely to flake wherever the metal is straightened. The patina on the newly bared metal will not match the patina of other areas of bare metal. I would leave any bends that did not interfere with the operation of the train alone.
Years ago, Louis Hertz recommended using light oil, such as 3-in-1 as a cleaner, with a soft cloth. But any cleaning, including oil, must be tested in a hidden spot first. Be certain to inspect the cloth to see how much, if any color is coming off.
I would also recommend against polishing anything. Right now, the patina of the trains match. Start polishing, and you will have trains with finish that doesn't match.
He's not going to be inclined to work on them......never having done it. The Marx set can easily be serviced locally. Does anyone know of a professional restoration service for the tinplate?
i do want to thank everyone for their responses.
Peter
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