Model Train Journal

Been packing some stuff up to clear room on the layout. Gave the Lionel 225E and a drag of 600-series coaches a spin around the outer loop:



The E-unit was acting a bit wonky this AM...likely needs a good cleaning.

Otherwise, not much going on. Saw the first gaggle of Canadian geese (I presume they are still called that) come in last night on the museum pond. Not too many, maybe forty or so. First sign of fall here.

What's the recommended technique for restoring a bit of shine to postwar Lionel locomotives? Back in the day, I recall folks advocating a light application of Future floor wax (or some other brand, can't remember)...is that still a good option, or are there better materials available now?

healey36 wrote:What's the recommended technique for restoring a bit of shine to postwar Lionel locomotives? Back in the day, I recall folks advocating a light application of Future floor wax (or some other brand, can't remember)...is that still a good option, or are there better materials available now?

I think this is another instance of two hobbies running together in my addled brain, lol. I think Future Floor Wax is a recommended treatment for shining up the clear plastic used for model airplane canopies. Over on one of the other forums, they tell me using Pledge Furniture Polish is what is used to restore a semi-gloss sheen to postwar Lionel paint.

Someone said Future has been discontinued, but Pledge is still available (although the lemon-scented version can be a bit off-putting). I've got a spare 2037 boiler casting around here somewhere...might experiment on that.

healey36 wrote:........Future Floor Wax.........

Seem that I recall it was rebranded as Pledge Floor product. I'd bet that there are several alternatives out there...

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

healey36 wrote:........Future Floor Wax.........

Seem that I recall it was rebranded as Pledge Floor product. I'd bet that there are several alternatives out there...

Yes, SC Johnson’s “Future” floor polish was officially renamed Pledge Floor Gloss on May 1, 2018. This change came with new packaging and branding, though the product’s formula remained the same for modelers and hobbyists. SC Johnson shifted to the Pledge brand for consistency with its other household products. Pledge products are available at many food and home outlets.

Source: https://finescale.com/how-to/tips/2018/ ... -new-name/

Thanks for that, Wayne and Rufus. Next time over to the store I’ll look for Pledge products.

How many cars can a 14-ounce locomotive pull?
gif by Wayne Benda, on Flickr
The Southern Streak has no magnetraction, but it does have one tire.

Looks terrific, Wayne...nice collection of gondolas w/cannisters. That loco pulls quite a bit given its one traction tire.

You need to track down a set of the Lionel Southern Crescent O-27 passenger cars...they'd look great behind your loco.

a recent acquisition from Trainz, a Lionel #292 set from 1927:



Arrived well-packed and in as-described condition...maybe they're finally getting the hang of this pack-and-ship routine.

Everything's in well-worn condition, but hoping a good polish will make it presentable. The 248's gonna need to be torn down, cleaned thoroughly and lubricated. It's missing a few trim bits, but otherwise complete. I like the look of it in dark green, but oy, is it beat up.

The smallest of the electric locomotives issued by Lionel during the Classic Period, nice!

https://cornucopiaoftoytrains.com/prewa ... engines-a/ says it wasn't based on any prototype.

It looks to me like it was based on the New Jersey boxcab 1000 (with a few added features).
https://i0.wp.com/www.harlemrivercrossw ... .jpg?ssl=1

When the sun shines, it illuminates the door layout for a few minutes in the afternoon. I think sunlight looks far better than any artificial light I have used for model photography.
Sunshine on Station by Wayne Benda, on Flickr

The shadows are so sharp!
The Shadows by Wayne Benda, on Flickr

Must be the Autumnal Equinox, Wayne; like Stonehenge, beams of sunlight twice per year.

While working on unrelated stuff, I took a few minutes to start putting together a paper station that Marx made back in the 1950s:



I believe this is from a sheet of paper building "kits" that Marx included with some of their sets back in the postwar era. I liked the look of this simple little building, given its extensive use of printed graphics. Perspective wise, it's wacko, but still interesting to look at.

Haven't gotten too far. Printed the graphics and pasted them onto matt board, then cut them out. Used some basswood to reinforce the panels and corners. I don't care for the roof graphics, so I started making something else (maybe just a plain green roof).

I'll post a few progress pics as this moves along.

Very interesting features in and on your new Marx project, Healey.

I am looking forward to seeing the finished building.