Prewar 248 box cab.

[pjdog350]

I bought another prewar locomotive. A prewar 248. Got it from Jim. He has great stuff. The packing he does is so good there is almost noway it could get damaged in shipping. He is so good at it.

I got the 248 yesterday. One wheel is kaput. Both idler gears are kaput. I knew one wheel was bad. So I had already ordered a wheel set for Bill Harrison at S&W parts supply. Bill has everything. My wheel puller is very poor and I really struggle getting the old wheels off. Was not sure I could get it done. Had to modify the puller a smidgen. However, I did get them off. I saw a much better wheel puller on EBay so I ordered it.

I’m currently taking the 248 apart. Taking pictures as I go s I can get it back together. I’m really impressed with the quality that these old Lionel motors have.

I got another locomotive because I only have the 259E (Which is great) in prewar and I’m enjoying the repairs on prewar. Plus they are great Christmas tree trains. Also enjoying the rolling stock repairs. One locomotive didn’t seem to fill the bill.

[Terry]

If you're trying to get a wheel off that will be thrown out, a just drill a hole next to the axle. Not  touching the axle, but a chest hair or so away. The hole should be about or a little bigger than the axle diameter, and does not need to go through the wheel all the way. Then lift the wheel on the rim so the hole you drilled is between the axle and the pry bar. That will bust out the small bit of material and the axle will come into the larger hole.

You don't drill all the way through because then you'd be into the bushing on the frame.

I have giant Craftsman screwdrivers with 1/2" blades that I use for prying.

[pjdog350]

Thanks for that Terry. I got lucky and finally got them off. I was worried about the gear attached to the back of one side of the wheels. But they survived OK. I do need both idler gears, which I have ordered from Bill Harrison in New York.

[pjdog350]

I've gotten the Lionel PREWAR BOX CAB all apart. Polished the wheels, axles & brass parts. sand blasted the frame & body. plus primed the body. Also, I've gotten the frames from the tank cars primed ready for pant.

I hope I can find idler gears for the 248. both of mine are messed up. I may be able to repair the gears but if new ones are available, I much rather get new ones.

[CNJRR]

Nice to have a sand blaster.
What color are you going to paint it?

[pjdog350]

CNJRR:

I painted it Maroon to match the prewar 1600 series passenger cars. I thought it would look really nice as a passenger set. But it appears that the paint must have aged. The color is good but the paint is very flat. I’ll sand blast again and choose another color. Probably Orange.

The sand blaster was very cheap. Plus I use sand box sand. Blasting material was very expensive. Tried sand box sand and it work perfect. Plus $ 3.59 for 40 pounds. I do have to replace the blast end as the sand eats it. I think I paid $ 30.00 for it at harbor freight. I already had an air compressor.

I do have to run the sand through a flower strainer. Lots of junk in the sand.

[Terry]

I have a harbor freight sandblaster that uses a bucket and a connection to the air supply. It worked great at a friend's auto shop with the high volume air supply. With my little donut compressor it works for a few seconds, then I have to wait minutes for the air pressure to go back up.

I also have Badger Airbrush for spraying grit. That works well, but only does a half inch or less in each pass. With that you have to use their grit, so it's also expensive. I've only used that once to test it.

[starfire700]

Jack you do good work. Nice to know that there are still some collectors who can bring back neglected trains.

[pjdog350]

I have some real nice 1600 series passenger cars that I painted maroon about a year ago. I was pulling them with the Lionel 259E. I thought the 248 would look nice painted maroon and I could use it with the maroon 1600's. But the paint didn't work out well. Looked flat and the color was off. I was thinking the 248 with all the brass fittings and being maroon would look super good. But the paint Gods failed me. Paint could be too old. Or could be the weather is not very good for painting outside. It's cold & damp here in beautiful downtown metropolitan Hudson Florida.

I removed the maroon paint off the 248. Painted it again but this time followed all the rules for painting. I used orange paint this time. I like it. Painted the number boards yellow. I believe that Lionel did a 248 in these colors. Anyway, that's going to be the color for this 248. Waiting to the paint to dry.

Now if the idler gears would just show up, I could start putting this restore back together. I ordered gears from Bill Harrison of S&W parts. Bill is a great guy. Been getting Lionel parts from Bill sense the mid 1980's. He has everything. and the prices are reasonable. The 248's motor still needs attention. except for the idler gears I have everything to complete the motor.

[pjdog350]

my new gear puller is stuck down the street in Newport Riche, Florida. Been sitting there for three days?

correction. The gear puller arrived.

[pjdog350]

wish the idler gears would arrive. Postman didn't have anything for me?

[starfire700]

At least the cab and frame look good. Weather and the holidays is delaying mail all over.

[pjdog350]

With the motor I got from Terry I was able to complete the 248 restore completed. It runs very well.

I got parts from Terry for my 248 motor and sent the parts and motor to Jim hoping Jim can get it running.
If he does, I find another frame & body. Paint it the same as this one and double head them.

[starfire700]

I think I may have another 248 body and frame with no motor. I will look and let you know.

[pjdog350]

Thanks Jim. If you can get the motor to work I would like to have your frame & 248 body.