@Apples55 posted:Mr. Muffins February auction done did it to me again
This time it was a set of New in Box (from a private collection) Lionel 18” aluminum passenger cars from 2004. As much as I like the new 21” passenger cars, I seem to have a weak spot for the 15” & 18” aluminum cars from the early 2000’s (in the last couple of years, I’ve picked up sets for D&H, PRR (Fleet of Modernism), NYC Dreyfuss). Now I can add Santa Fe - this set is 29144 and represents the El Capitan. I must say, I was surprised at just how heavy these cars are. They are quite nicely detailed and have a beautiful shine to them. As with pretty much all the other sets I’ve purchase as used or NOS, one of the cars has an issue where the lights don’t work - I’ll have to open it up and futz with the light strip to see if I can find the problem. But I am VERY happy with this purchase!!!
One downside to passenger cars of this era is that they were shipped with tight twist ties on all the trucks. From past experience, I’ve learned to just cut them instead of trying to untwist them.
Mr. Apples , Paul, I too suffer from the attraction to extruded aluminum cars from the early 2000's. I have a small layout so 15" is best suited for me. While your beautiful set are 18" Lionel, mine are 15" K-Line, but they share the same extrusion and trucks! You also mentioned that they are heavier then you thought they would be. Yes, even my 15" cars are 2.5 to 3 lbs each. There is a lot of weight on the axles and bearings (bushing), so here's here's a bit of advice on the axle and bearing lubrication. Below is a eye opening photo of the bushings on one of my 15" k-Lines that I bought used! Obviously, these bushing had not be lubricated properly or often enough, and have many hours or use.
I am almost completely sure that these bushings are powdered bronze. If Lionel and K-Line knew what they were doing they would have used powered bronze bushings, because they are porous, hard, and can absorb oil and retain it. That being said, more lubrication is better as the bronze will absorb the oil. I lube these once a year, two to three drops from a needle applicator like Labelle. Also, use a synthetic lube or similar to Labelle. These trucks have plastic chassis, so a petroleum based lubricant could damage the plastic over time if it should get on the plastic.
Hopefully with proper lubrication you will get many years of enjoyment from your new Santa Fe passenger cars! enjoy!
FYI - I had to purchase a donor 15" car to replace the trucks, as replacement trucks were not available. Now I have some extra parts should I need them in the future as well.
Here's a photo of the CZ Diner car with the new trucks. I had already updated the interior with figures, carpet, and painted seats, as well as LED lighting.