Lionel 265e saved?? We'll see!!

Jeff...hate to tell you this ,but she's a goner...the only thing you can do is use the parts to restore another 265....the body is cast in 1 piece so unless you have the broken parts your out of luck....you can also offer it for parts....someone somewhere is looking to restore a 265...hope this helps...all the best...joe

First, buy another engine in much better condition.

Second, substitute that engine for this one in the set.

Third, a solemn  moment when you hide this one deep under your layout.

Don't listen to them - the shell a mess but the motor assy is usually salvageable with a little elbow grease.

Hennings,  and Jeff Kane at TTender.com have loads of parts and advice. 

The shell is a mess....but if someone wanted to make a custom one, it has potential. The cabs are reproduced. The motor should run with a little work.

I put it on the bench, added power, it thought about it for a second, then moved. Ya, the shell is a mess. I've been tweaking the front end for about a half an hour, not sure if it's better or worse.

I may just box it up till fall, then have another look at the patient!! Thanks guys!

Don't give UP!...With all the different  adhesives on the market today you can find some thing to rebuild the cab. I added length  and width to to this tinplate roof with  copper wire solder and Bondo. Adhere a thin metal plate to the underside of the cab and build it up with Bondo. I replaced the cow catcher on my Lionel 261 with liquid solder and it has held up for years. I use Dr. Tinker for my parts.   dave@drtinkertrains.com

That engine can be saved no problem.  If you don't want it let me know and maybe we can make a deal.  Sure it needs a cab ($30), front grill ($5), and maybe drivers ($40) plus other parts..... LMAO, but it is definitely savable.  At least I should say there are those of us out here that are of that mind set.  I have dealt with much worse.

Yeah, and here is some 265E insperation... maybe some 264E as well lol

Dennis very nice project, that is one nice job! Mark

I sent that set packing to someone who obviously had more time, skills and patience than I!

That's cool.  Always worth a shot to ask though!

Fix it. Then you can run it and say to yourself I took that piece of junk from the 1920's and made it work( for another 20 years)

@jim mcclain posted:

Fix it. Then you can run it and say to yourself I took that piece of junk from the 1920's and made it work( for another 20 years)

He said he already sent it to someone else, so the point is moot. This is, after all, a seven-month old post.

We have the grill and valve gear / rods.  Harry