Lionel 226E

[VJP1936]

Greetings everyone. I am new here. I have been collecting and restoring Lionel Prewar and Postwar Steam and Diesel Locomotives for the past 40 years. I purchased a 226E Locomotive on eBay. I am not a "Know it all" I learn something new every day. After receiving the 226E, I noticed a rivet covering the little stack opening in front of the big smokestack. Being baffled by this, has anyone come across something like this on their own 226E's? After stripping down the locomotive, noticed a very poor e unit installation. Four different type gauge wires used to connect e unit, front headlamp assembly had an exposed wire (no insulation). The previous owner said "The Locomotive only runs in the forward position. A new rebuilt e unit was installed with the right gauge wiring. Then I noticed on the weight inside the boiler, (previous owner grinded away a portion of the weight to allow room for the wrong gauge wires) smh. It's such a beautiful locomotive and to do something like that is unbelievable. Then noticing also, the redlight was also missing as well. My next question is, do they make a special mounting bracket for the bulb assembly? Or should i run a Lionel light bulb kit through it? (Kit includes lamp socket and black wire with bulb contact on end of wire). Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[2Tracks]

Welcome to the forum VJP!
I model HO myself, although I do have a steam loco and a few cars on display from 1964 that I found in a shed that a friend let me pick.
With so much Lionel out there, have you tried a web search for help? Good luck.....

 

[Bruette]

Welcome to our forums (ours as in yours too) we are glad to have you with us!

If I am not mistaken the 226E uses the standard prewar Lionel headlight bracket, and the red lens (jewel) is simply pressed into the smokestack‑mounted marker light housing. There is no separate or special bracket made just for the red bulb.

Don’t just take my word for it; I’m definitely not an expert on the 226E.

I would enjoy seeing some photos of your work if you have time.

 

[VJP1936]

Welcome to the forum VJP!
I model HO myself, although I do have a steam loco and a few cars on display from 1964 that I found in a shed that a friend let me pick.
With so much Lionel out there, have you tried a web search for help? Good luck.....

Thank you 2 tracks. Much appreciated. After searching the web for a while, I finally found the original bulb assembly for the 226E. I ordered two of them, because I have two 226E's. I found them both on Trainz.com. Now, I am still trying to find out why this has a rivet on top of the small stack in front of the Locomotive.

 

[VJP1936]

Welcome to our forums (ours as in yours too) we are glad to have you with us!

If I am not mistaken the 226E uses the standard prewar Lionel headlight bracket, and the red lens (jewel) is simply pressed into the smokestack‑mounted marker light housing. There is no separate or special bracket made just for the red bulb.

Don’t just take my word for it; I’m definitely not an expert on the 226E.

I would enjoy seeing some photos of your work if you have time.

Thankyou Bruette. Much appreciated. I am from New Jersey and moving to sunny Florida in March. Both of my late father's uncles worked for The Lionel Corporation. One in the New York Main Plant and the other in Irvington. My late father Vincent (VJP) his initials, showed me how to take them apart and fix them. Do you know in my area how much they charge just to look at a Prewar or Postwar Locomotive? Benchwork price is a $150.00 to start. Not including parts and extra labor. I am glad I fix them myself. Thankyou Bruette. I greatly appreciate it. Photos? Will do.

 

[VJP1936]

The previous owner as you can see used blue painter's tape as well to connect the wires. Notice the different gauge wires he used. I took it all apart. Cleaned the e unit and drum. Installed the new contacts as well. Tell me what you think. always open for new suggestions.

 

[VJP1936]

Ran into another problem on my 226E. I purchased this on e-bay for $350.00. This 226E is turning out to be a chop shop Locomotive with different parts on it. The front boiler face is from a post war Berkshire Steam locomotive. Now, placed the order for the original boiler front which cost me $47.00. On top of the original light system, both front and rear $24.00, pulled out the butchered e-unit, rebuilt it and installed, Parts $15.00. (e-units for this model sell for $50-$65 in New Jersey). The rivet on top of the boiler stack doesn't belong there. So now I have to remove it without damaging the boiler shell. In all fairness, the seller who purchased this from another owner didn't realize the state of condition the locomotive was in. The draw bar nob that sits in the engine cab was grinded off. A Post War draw bar was installed. When I get done with restoring this 226E Locomotive, in parts the total cost will be close to $300 or more (with that includes the original locomotive weight as well). That's why the seller sold it for $305.00 not including the $50.00 shipping charge. It's a passion I have rescuing old Lionel Prewar and Postwar trains. Going to surf the web and see if I can find and purchase the locomotive weight and draw bar rod. When I get done with it, It will look and operate very nicely.

 

[VJP1936]

I found my answer to my question regarding the rivet on the small smokestack.

 

[Bruette]

When I get done with it, It will look and operate very nicely.

Take comfort in knowing you’ve preserved and revived a piece of history. That’s priceless.