Purchased my first Postwar Locomotive

I have all 4 turbines and they are smooth and quiet.  The commutator and e unit might need cleaned occasionally and you take out 3 screws and lift the shell off the chassis. Eventually it might need grease. I would check that as soon as you can. they aren't difficult to work on. Welcome to the club-you are hooked !!

now you've done it, there's no turning back now. great engine...post up some pics!

"Any good tips..."

Kalmbach/Greenberg have several books on Lionel postwar. I would suggest "Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945-1969."

There are also a few good internet sites that allow for downloading of schematics, diagrams, etc...

Have fun with your new purchase, you can always make room for a 682 or 671 in the near future.

Visit the Olsen's free library. Essentially, it is the Lionel factory service manual with additional information developed by the folks at Olsens.

Here is the beginning of the basic information on Lionel motors.

Lionel did not produce documentation for every item. Here is information on a similar turbine, it is probably the closest.

There is a lot of good information on the site. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find it.

Take it back and buy an MPC 8404 Pennsy S2.  I think it looks and runs better.  Probably also in better condition and costs less.

What, me worry? 

I'll second the Repair and Operating manual for Lionel Trains 1945-1969. It's a valuable resource for postwar equipment.

Sounds like you have a great operating engine. I've got a 2020 that runs well, but not as good as what you describe. A couple years ago I worked on a co-workers 671, and it was a great runner. With a little routine maintenance, your engine will run well for decades to come.

If I may make a suggestion, consider an early 675/2025 for your next purchase. Properly tuned, they are the "Swiss Watch" of postwar Lionel. Very quiet, a lot of side rod action, nice smoke output, will coast to a stop, and fun to listen to the "tink-tink" sound of the smoke unit.  

675/2025, 2055/2065 are all good but my favorite is my 736.  All you hear are the wheels on the track. Not cheap, though.

I started laughing when I got to your comment "it runs really well".  You may have discovered the delight of quality postwar trains.  The F3's, FM's, and early NW-2 switchers are awesome runners as well.  I prefer the 736, 2046, &773 for pulling power in steam engines.  I had a 671 as a child which doesn't have magnatraction and didn't pull that well.  Your 681 is a step up and you got the good tender.  

Some of the high end mpc engines are very nice engines.   Most of the stuff sells for a fraction of the prices in the 90's.   But if you need the electronics you will be disappointed.

I've had a 671 for a long time now. runs great, but has some wheel slip. I got my Uncle's 2020 after he passed, and no slip at all. I pulled the shell off to oil and clean, and it has the optional weight.

Take it back and buy an MPC 8404 Pennsy S2.  I think it looks and runs better.  Probably also in better condition and costs less.

From what I see an MPC 8404 turbine in nice shape goes for more than a 2020 or a 671. Probably about the same as a 681. The 682 is usually more.

I like turbines, I have several, including the 8404.
The only thing I don't like about it is the FARR logo on the tender.
Otherwise, the paint scheme is great.

All the postwar models run well.
My 8404 is still mint.

Welcome to the Postwar club. I use to have a 681 but sold it like a dumb dumb about 5 years ago. I presently have three 736's, three 2025's, four 675's, two 2055's and love them all. as for my big steam by Lionel. Yes I have modern engines with command in them and conventional modern engines but weather it be Steam or Diesel I prefer post war I guess because that's what I grew up with. 

Yes I understand the newer ones have all this and that but the postwar/prewar ( yes I have a few of them also ) I can go in there and know what I'm doing. I've never been real strong in electronics so this is great. I have a little of both. 

Here is a quick photo and video thanks to iPhone!

I can only see the top edge of your video.

C W Burfle posted:

I can only see the top edge of your video.

Click the thumbnail under the post. Sometimes videos seem to cut off on the forum here. Not sure why. I see it often with other posts. 

It sounds like you got a good engine. How well they run will depend on how much play time they have had in the past. Most all ran very smooth when new. The best runners were the pre magnatraction engines from the '40s but they will not pull as many cars as the later ones which tend to be noisier for some reason.

A few tips.

Olsen's has a library which has service diagrams of  most every Lionel Post war piece. Among other things they show the proper part numbers you can use when looking for parts like your headlight lens.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm

You don't want to put tape on your switches, rather you want to tape over the pick up shoe on the tender. Too bad Ross switches and Post War don't mix. I would suggest thin mylar tape rather than electrical tape after cleaning the shoe to remove and grease or oil.

Have fun.

Pete

My 671 turbine has the twin shafts and is the noisiest of all mine. The 681,682 and 2020 are smooth and quiet. I don't get too uptight about pulling power because I don't run real long consists with any of my  engines. They are old and baby them a bit.  With my Zephyr I only run with 2 cars, the other car sits on the shelf. Plus my straights are only about 8 feet long.

Welcome to the Post-War World, SJC.  I know you will enjoy your turbine. I know College Park is one of your favorite Tracker shows, but I don't think you were there on the day last December when I had my 681 (and 2046) out on the layout.  So, here's the 681 on a mixed freight.

SJC, my 681 was never the best smoker, so a few years ago I tried installing a fan-driven smoke unit that I bought from the late Boxcar Bill. It is great at higher voltage, but as you can see from the previous post of the College Park video, not the best at speed either. When i first installed it, I made this clip.

Great at high voltage standing, never has been this good at speed, though.

For a first PW engine you choose a good one. They are good runners/pullers and very easy to service. if you open er up pop the shiny metal cap off and re-lube with fresh grease. In fact you should check it anyway.