My All Postwar Lionel Layout “Updated 4/7/24”

Lionel Box Set 1575

Here's a little something I put together last night. The box is complete, w/ all its contents. While I have acquired many different collections over the years, this particular one I hold close to my heart. It was a gift from a dear friend of mine. It was her late husbands set as a child.

I've never ran it until last night. When first powered up, it didn't move at all. I hadn't touched a thing, or oiled & lubed anything. I rolled it back & forth a bit by hand, loosening the motor. It was a little sluggish at first, but after a few seconds it took of like a race horse. As you can see in the video, everything is in great shape, & nice & clean. The engine runs like a champ! 

Hope ALL of Y'all enjoy another view of Flint Rock Valley Lines! 

Thanks for Watching!! 

Just yesterday I finished detailing my Lionel 2056. It's never been this clean since it left the factory 65 years ago. Before complete reassembly, I did some test laps on the track. It was intermittently chattering very badly. I was a little disappointed, & did not know just what was causing this sound. I assumed I did a proper cleaning & put everything back like I found it. Something was not right. Now keep in mind, this is only my second steam locomotive to service. I've done two diesel engines thus far, one FA & one F-3, totaling 4 engines now. For not ever performing such tasks, I think I've been doing a nice job. I was upset that I might have messed something up in my process. Well, that wasn't the case. It was so clean, that after multiple laps on the rails, & adding a bit more oil here & there, the sound subsided completely. It just needed more oil during its break in period. I was so glad that it ran smoothly afterwards! 

This is & has been a learning process for me. I am taking my time w/ each project, from start to finish. It's nice to know I'm doing a good job when the engines run so well after all these years. 

Later last night I finished detailing its tender, the 2046W. I cleaned the carbon dust & grime off the commutator & brushes, knocked some rust off the wheels, & oiled up everything. Without any repairs needed, it ran great & sounds wonderful. Stay tuned for a cleaned up view of the two together, & some nice boxcars I detailed as well. 

As always... All comments are welcome, & Thanks for Watching, Y'all!! 

#ELI... riding the rails of Flint Rock Lines:  <salute> Thanks, you are "relighting the spirit in an ole locomotive", and giving others the inspiration to enjoy the trip WITH ya! Thanks ELI

Eli

That's the beauty of the older trains--you can take them apart, learn while doing and know how to fix things. Great thread.

Thank you Frank & Scotie! 

The following are some before & after pics of FRV's newly serviced 2056 & 2046W Tender. For sixty five years old, it's humming right along.

way kewl!!thanks for sharing. Question: Do you see engines repainted Gloss Black, including forward and aft trucks, and steamchest? Have you repaired a broken window, frame, on an engine? (may not be the right forum?) my email is in members.

thank ELI!

Frank, the only black repainted loco I've seen is a prewar 561 in my collection, just the shell though. I didn't know, until someone pointed it out. You can see that engine & set here:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...rewar-american-flyer 

As far as repairing any body parts, I've yet to do such a thing. However, when the time arises for me to do so, I'm a Craftsman by trade, & feel confident I could undertake any task there of. 

Appreciate all of your positive feedback Frank... Thank You Sir! 

Here's the Lionel 2056 & rolling stock as promised above. The description of the consist is on the link. 

Hope Y'all enjoy the view! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUQnSUauh0 

Soooooo I have a boxcar and I have a giraffe, could I craft a hole in the roof and stick giraffe out the roof? Probably need proof of concept from Foreman GI - Raffe and Mitch?

Why not ?   It's your, or should I say the boss's railroad.  Do what you like.  While not "O" gauge, here's a circus train I scratch built using LGB field railway car chassis as a base. 

https://youtu.be/HE_xvJXQ30s

 NIce link Dan, Thanks, now, a calliope is going to be in the list. Thanks Dan!!

Miggy posted:

 NIce link Dan, Thanks, now, a calliope is going to be in the list. Thanks Dan!!

The sound module I used for the calliope is from ITTC products.

http://ittproducts.com

2245 rolling home to the service yard at Flint Rock Valley.

#ELI   ---    2245   TEXASSPECIAL.... I gotta have one!.. and a Texas A & M Aggies Sign!!! oh, and a SONIC drive in...... oh, how about What-a-burger!... oh, and RoDEO, Bareback BULLs, and "....Deep in the South of TEXAS...."   Yes, yes, and LoneStar Long necks.......  and texas gals...... nuff said.

Howdy Folks!

On Saturday I went to one of our annual Train Shows here in Central Texas in New Braunfels. Was able to make a very good purchase. Picked up two complete O22 box sets, 2 lefts, & 1 right... All for a mere price of $30.00. 

I also picked up these four 6462 NYC Gondolas. Two were $10 each, & two were $5 each. This was a good buy as well. 

With the purchase of these new to me switches, I'm able to finish up my last configuration on the lower level, creating 3 different sidings, on my already packed layout. Here's how it came out. Now to get them wired & to run separate track power. 

Y'all stay tuned for my up & coming design to finish out my elevated section. When this is done, I'll be able to run 3 - 5 trains at any given time. 

Till then...

Here's a few vids I took of my local clubs layout at the train show. They're called the "Tinplate Trackers", & are from Austin, Texas. I enjoyed my conversations w/ the few gentlemen I spoke w/! Looking forward to one day becoming a member of their club.

Hope Y'all like the view... 

Eli, fun stuff, I am looking forward to your updates. So you find some engines fussier than others when they go across the switches?? Lol. I still learning

An Old Timey View in black & white of my ALL Postwar Lionel Layout. 

Current progress has remained at a standstill from late February/ early March, due to my bad back. It's been miserable these long months, not being able to work for a living, or work on or enjoy my hobby. Not sure how long this will have ahold of me, but I'm missing my so called normal life & daily routine. Till then, watching my old videos & perusing old pictures will have to suffice. 

I'd love to see any of Y'all's Postwar Pics & Vids, if you cared to share. Thanks!

Maybe my next report I'll have some better news...

Hope Y'all are having a Great Summer, 

~Eli

Eli, I will try to get you some of my postwar pics and videos here in a day or two, .....I'm laid out too with a bad back (sciatic nerve). I can still get around and pull some stuff off the shelves and try and entertain ya!....I know what its like being laid out cause of back problems....hope you get better....Ill send some stuff via this thread..................Pat

Reminds me of a Christmas Macy's layout. Nice job. Don

Thanks Don!

Pat, thanks for the well wishes! I'm dealing w/ something similar, but not sure exactly what's causing my pain. I can barely hobble around, can't even sit still long enough to service anything (which there's plenty of). Appreciate the offer to view your stuff, very much look forward to whatever it is you share w/ me. Thank You, Sir! 

Seems a joyful and playful place to visit, and I can hear the sounds of its running all the way here!! 

FrankM.

Newest members or the Cuyahoga Valley. Lionel tin X2458 & X2758 Automobile boxcars, circa 1945-1948. Prewar car reissued postwar with knuckle couplers.....

Ok Eli, here we go...Ill start your entertainment with some pics and as brief as a story can be.....this locomotive is NYC 2943T (former Lionel Lines 726RR) the "T" standing for test. the powers to be on my railroad have found it far better to buy modern steam power, and not put much faith in re-furbished equipment. A special grant has finally been  put in place to test older equipment as way to bolster the fleet and bring more motive power to the road. 2943T is the first of this experiment. upon completion of trial runs, and IF accepted, 2943T will lose her "T" and continue on to paint and body, where then she will join the fleet......testing has already begun although she doesn't have all her "special equipment" hooked up yet....If successful, more former Lionel Lines equipment may be purchased for the Central...So here are some pics of 2943T, and I will get you some pics of my other postwar wall art, and I'm gonna try and upload a video....We shall see how that goes....

2943T on her first trial run at speed......

I love it, lots of fun.

If we don't get the approval from my granddaughter (CEO of operations) the whole program could be scrapped.....then the next place you'll see this locomotive is on the thread "what locomotives do you have that you don't run?" .....there will be  some little O scale mechanics looking for a job at Amazon's job fair..

Hey Eli- sorry to hear about the back problems. I have some back issues that slow me down a little sometimes too. Fortunately nothing that stops me from functioning. Hope you get back to work soon (on the trains of course).

Harmonyards- nice work in the steamer. I think your granddaughter will approve.

Bob

Hey GandyDancer... I recognize that waterway! lol

Thanks for sharing Howard, & nice to see you on here, Sir! 

Thanks Frank M., it is a very playful layout! Plenty of action all across the board.

Harmon Yards, thanks so much for taking the time to share! It's much appreciated, Sir... Good Luck w/ getting your Approval!  JusHavnFun, thank you! I built it to be a "Working Railroad", & it's a hoot to operate.  

And Bob, thank ya kindly for the well wishes! I'm ready for that day... 

Hope All You Guys have a Great Weekend! 

hey Eli, here is some more test runs of 2943T....on her final shakedowns before my granddaughter visits this Sunday and gives it her blessing, or condemns it to shelf land....please excuse my lousy video skills.....I'll get better at that!

Eli

Great layout and you have been making good progress. 

I went to a train show in New Braunfels several years ago.  I used to go to shows mostly in Houston at Brown Center and Astrohall, and one in San Antonio too.  Been staying closer to home lately as I am about done adding to the roundhouse and layout.

Keep us posted on your layouts progress.

Charlie

Still not able to continue construction taking place on my elevated section. Thought some of y'all might like these pics in the meantime.

The 2023 Union Pacific Anniversary Set from 1950, crossing on a 313 Bascule Bridge from 1946 - '49.

Lionel's 2343 Santa Fe F3 Diesel ABA Units from 1950 - '52, & Lionel's 2056 Steam Locomotive from 1952.

(I wired the log loader so I could turn the lights on as I please.)  

Happy Railroading to ALL Ye Train Folk!! 

Here we have a bit of the latest progress at FRV, after a long hiatus. There’s numerous other things taking place, which I’ll share later.

Hope Y’all enjoy the view! 

Howdy Fellow Train Folks!

I finally got a few replacement parts for my GG1’s. Can any of you kind people give me some insight as to how I go about removing the pilot & truck sides from the main plate? As you see, the original on the left has a broken end, & I’m trying to fix this in a proper manner. How do I remove these, without damaging the studs, & being able to reattach the new pilot & truck sides? The replacement already has the truck sides separated, but the pilot is still attached.

I’d be obliged for any info/ advice from Y’all! 

From The Working Railroad of Flint Rock Valley, I Thank Y’all so much!! 

~Eli 

You could drill/grind/knock out the castings, then attach the replacements with the Hobby Horse DC-1005 star clincher or DC-1003 Splaying clincher. It is probably more economical to replace the trucks in question as a whole unit. unless you will use the arbor press tooling in many repairs.

Just rivets.  Cup them grinding so it thins near expanded shaft/surface to drive out easier, pry evenly, etc.

If you can figure out a way to back it, you could set new with a hammer and cold chisel if skilled enough.

(Hardwoods )

  Between stakings, be careful of tweaking, I hold back on most full sets; "just enough", till all are lightly set, checked, then finished off.

I'd be checking stance on a flat surface for each step and then back track, like your changing a flat tire. They are pretty tweakable but floating the fit till the end gives a stress free structure..

Drilling and tapping for screws might not be impossible here if something went wrong.  

It comes down to resoration or repair as a choice 

Great looking layout. Thank you for sharing it. Nice to see Plasticville, Marx and American Flyer incorporated into your Lionel layout. You have done a fine job. Take a bow.

Flint Rock Valley posted:

Here's the Lionel 2056 & rolling stock as promised above. The description of the consist is on the link. 

Hope Y'all enjoy the view! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUQnSUauh0 

Totally love your trains and your layout - looks like it has great play value!! However, I gotta ask, is that a potato chip boat between the outer tracks??

BMORAN4 & ADRIATIC, 

Thank You Gentlemen for your replies! I’ve yet to follow up on this project, but till I’m able to afford the press & tool sets along w/ it,  I’ll have to use what’s available at hand. 

Thanks so much for the info Guys! 

Jim & GEOPEG, 

I’m so glad Y’all like my layout... Thank You both for your gracious compliments!!

GEOPEG, the “potato chip boat” is a wooden carved dish. It’s filled w/ a special collection of Unifaced Bit End Scrapers. These artifacts range in age from 6,000 - 9,000 years BP (Before Present). Their use was in the preparation of scraping hides. It barely fits in there, & it’s zero tolerance for error all around the layout. Strewn throughout the layout are other various tools & arrowheads from a different site collection. I’d be glad to answer any other ?’s you may have concerning the goings on of Flint Rock Valley. 

Again, Thanks Everyone for your support & shared enjoyment of my railroad! 

Here’s one of the latest projects for my railroad. I custom built & designed a 6’ long cabinet for a display & control panel. Just this last weekend stripped every wire off the layout, now to be ran through the wire chase in the drawer. It’s been a long process to get here, but I’m happy w/ the outcome & will hopefully be once more running the trains here at Flint Rock Valley.