Can We Make it Run? $5 Vintage Junked Lionel Locomotive 

I love that you put the “we” in the title. it makes it sound like we are repairing it together.

The titles of these videos are like Bob The Builder, “Can we make it run?” “YES WE CAN!”

Despite being three years old, I saw this video just today, thanks to my son running across it. He got his first vintage Lionel a few weeks ago. I once worked at a museum with a large model railroad, and we used only Lionel trains. Part of my job was repairs. These Lionel AC engines are very durable. Keep the commutator and the brushes clean, lubricate well, and you are fine. Be sure to take off and clean the plate that holds the cluster gear. Vaseline works great as a lubricant. It doesn't harden like grease or run off like oil.

Older Lionel stuff is pretty bullet proof, most of them just need a little bit of tlc and it will run just fine

Harrison your new name is wizard,. There is not too many that you can't repair. So good work Wizard. 👌👍😇🇺🇸

Usually the postwar locos are built like tanks, greasing it up usually gets the job done, and get a Lionel transformer if you want to run O scale a bit because the MARX one will burn up eventually because the two brands have different requirements

Serenity, we've got a runner. I've got 2 Lionel 2-4-2 Scout locomotives -- one is a die cast smoker and the other is a plastic one with smoker. Both had brushes stuck in the brush plate holder. After maintenance, they both run like new. Cheers from eastern TN

SMT - Take a look at that wire running to the front of the mechanism; it is for the headlight socket. The head light socket has been broken off & lost; that wire is connected to the center-rail roller contacts & may short-circuit to the frame. It might also be a good idea to clean the brush holders & brush springs with alcohol & a Q-tip. You might also want to use that carbon pen to clean the center-rail roller contacts. You could also put some Labelle white Teflon grease on the armature shaft gear & it will be transferred to the center gear & drive wheel gears when the engine is operated. Do not put any lubrication on the E-unit.

Cleaning 60 or 70 years of crud off the electrical and similar years of carpet fuzz seems to have done the job. You sir are the Mike Holmes of model railroading.

Next should be some paint touch-ups. things been sitting, but that's ok SMT Mainline is here to spark new life into these old model trains, even lionel

It's a darn good thing you got a more 'standard' 2-4-2, and not a "true Scout". The Lionel 'scout' line was Lionel's attempt to steal some of the market for budget train sets, dominated by toy manufacturer giant Louis Marx & Co. The scout locomotives utilized an unusual motor, instead of the conventional open frame style on most Lionel steam engines, with steel or aluminum plates, the original scouts used a bakelite plastic motor with a unique combined motor and E-Unit contained inside. The E-Unit and motor actually share parts. These motors are notorious for being a pain to work on, and since they were generally poor pullers and liable to burn out if given too many cars, most collectors eschew them. Part of what makes them fussy to deal with is the fact that you can't access most of the motor without pulling the wheels. Shocked that your E-Unit was still good. That shell has been through a lot, but the guts appear to be in fabulous shape- that sounds like a very healthy motor to me. I've seen far, far worse so you made off quite well with that buy.

Smt: I’m not very experienced with these old Lionels. Also Smt: *removes every nut, bolt and, screw*

The 1130, although a 2-4-2 does not have the Scout plastic motor. This is in fact a standard locomotive built from 52 to 53. Well done. Good basic maintenance video on the typical postwar motor.

Wow that is someold Lionel. My dad has his simce he was about 4 years old. My great grandfather had Lionel trains layout and all. Im assuming he bought it back when my dad was born and gave it to him when he was older . It is from 1952,anyway I did the same as you did one day few years ago and man that locomotive needed oil and his freight cars needed cleaning carpet and oil gunked up . on his id be nervous about taking apart his motor is different where the comutator is more exposed . Awesome to see that one go flying as it needed just the right amount of attention. Nice job .

i dont doubt for a fraction of a second that you bring that old lionel steamer back to life, you are absolutely amazing!

the 50s made locos are the best. I have a 1955 hudson that my brother got new. I use it all the time, it seems to be bullet proof ;)

Harrison, your skills are top notch! Beware, faulty locos...the force is STRONG with this one!!!!

Great restoration SMT! You should remove the shell, strip all of the paint off, and give it what it deserves: a fresh coat of semi- gloss black paint.

Lionel train go brrrrrrrrrrrr. From my experience Lionel has always made tanks of trains

Wow.. You are very smart. You can fix ANYTHING!!

Lionel Scout #1130, produced in 1953, and uses a 6066T tender. You can find more on Tandem-Associates. Also, I would recommend a different O gauge layout, well, the track. You're using O-27 track and I would recommend getting actual O gauge track with O-31 curves just in case you do get the larger, more expensive locomotives as some will not work on O-27 curves

With the tender and a consist, this would look even better!

I am an O gauge & 027 gauge guy and was very impressed with your repair processes!,

That engine definitely ran like new after that amazing restoration! This has given me some info on how to work on O Scale engines as well for future reference.

I love old model trains, got loads of them

That’s a post war Lionel for ya. From box to running in no time.

Wow, that Scout runs like a champ now, Harrison. Even the unknown locomotives don't stand a chance when you tear them apart. When you had the shell off, you should have painted it CP red with white accents just to make it stand out. Do you have the tender? Thanks for sharing. 👍 👍 👍

I just started watching you and you have given me some great tips already, keep up the good work!

yessir!!!!!!!!!! Love your talent!!! If it doesn't run, you can fix it!!!! great job!

Love the old Lionel tubular track. Great video !

Very nice!

Lionel Commutators, I have newer seen a clean one. People always got these trains and ran them until they don't. Yikes is a great way to describe it.

Serenity! Great video SMT.

If anybody can , you can. You are the master mechanic.

Love those trains

I just love old Lionel locos!

Now all that locomotive needs is a tender a fresh paint job

Of course we can make it that’s why here

Good job on getting that back and up in running condition!

Total success. As always......well done Harrison

It's good to see it working

Hello Harrison ! I want to thank you for showing me how to open up that little scout, it seems as if most 4-4-2, 2-4-2, 2-4-0, & 0-4-0’s are built in the same manner and I was also glad that you mentioned that it was a 2-4-2 which most people regrettably forget to mention when they’re doing a layout or Video ! I also agree with most of your subscribers as to the fact that little scouts like these as well as the larger Lionel steam locomotives trains like the Berkshire 2-8-4, The Atlantic’s “4-4-2”, the Pacific’s “4-6-2”, and all the other steam locomotives that are geared in this fashion as well as being built like tanks !!! Currently I have a 4-6-2 which regrettably has warped wheels or a warped chassis that I could definitely use some help on ! But this is a case where I don’t know whether to take it apart myself to see if I can repair it myself or if I have to send it to Lionel to see if maybe they can get it fixed ? I even went as far as buying extra wheels for the driving unit ! The main 6 ! If you do get a chance to read this and have an opinion that could help me, I’d appreciate it ! And by the way, I agree with most of your subscribers because I’ve never seen you paint a locomotive ! And I also agree with your subscriber that mentioned you should get a specific Lionel transformer for the same reason that he mentioned ! 🌊🐺

Just got one of these and it's a runner. Can't wait to get it set up

Wow! i had one of these Lionel locomotives when i was a kid. i Loved to play with it! i just subscribed to your channel and i hit the bell thing too. Awesome job on fixing it! :)

Looks like an earlier version of the same exact same engine that came in my "Grand Trunk Western" Lionel train set from the early 70's except mine has a headlight and I think a smoke unit as well, I still have it and it still runs like a champ.

Why I love old Lionel trains, they were designed to be serviced and repaired, so with a little TLC and lube, they can run forever.

Very nice. The first ever Lionel equipment I ever bought was an 1130 Scout like this, pulled from a similar junk bin at a rail fair with a mismatched tender. I also bought some old track and a transformer that day, fulfilling a dream I'd had for a long time to own 3-rail O. The E-Unit barrel has a snapped end and can't rotate, but my friend and I secured it so it runs forward. I don't know if I'll ever fix it, it's almost more about the memories even though my collection has since expanded a lot.

Wow it looks happier to go. First it was dead and you didn’t know how to dissemble it and after it’s running like a charm. This makes me confident on the blue goose will run better then

Asking if SMT can make a locomotive run is like asking if Nerf Cat is grey. Great job, it's a fast one!

Nice work!

You are so talented

I bought the same engine in the bargain bin. Took it apart, getting it back together wasn't so easy but it runs. Didn't know that triangular thing hid the wire-wound armature. That silver paint needs to go! Thanks!

Like your technique and choice of music!!

When is the 10k give away I’m pretty sure that other people want to know too? Also I LOVE your videos!

Hi, my older brother had a Lionel steam loco in the fifties. I always loved the way their smelt. Especially with the smoke. Ah........I can smell it now. Great job on getting it up and running again. I agree with some of the others, it needs a paint job. See ya.

Another great video by SMT I think I have that engine too mine came with a whistling tender

Got a green one of these when i was a little kid for 5 dollars at a garage sail track transformer train and all. Wasn't expecting much but it ended up lasting like six years worked perfectly. Same track and everything except mine had a light.

Nice Video SMT. Glad It Ran.

This has inspired me to get my grandpas old Lionel train running

I own two 242, and with a alittle work I always get great results.

This is rare old Lionel stuff is known for needing maintenance cause of how well it’s designed and built

So cool!

Two comments Harrison, first though great job and I enjoy your channel. Ok comment one, never doubt an old Lionel Loco. They run forever with a little TLC. 😀. I must have 50 or so. Two, the old track, love it but clean it with alcohol and a cotton ball. Worst case, if there is any rust use a 220 grit sandpaper and sand it lightly. The connectivity will be improved tremendously. Otherwise, you are doing a great job and I think most everyone is proud of what you are doing. Keep up the good work. Tim from the USA

i knew it, i never doubted it!

O scale is so cool, one day I want to buy some

U need to make more o gauge videos! Awesome!

Yeah the metal Lionel uses tends to bend over time

Finally you restored it my 1130 had the same problem all the need is some oil and they'll run

Nobody: SMT Mainline: *Welllllllllll folkssssssss, in todaaaaaaaaay's videooooooooooooo*

Very nice, that'l be fun to run during live streams

Hay It’s Xander nice to see you buddy

Working on old Lionel's (O gauge) is a whole different beast. HO repair is MUCH simpler...but I"m certain you've found that out by now.

Oh, that ball of grey stuff you pulled from the inside.That almost looked like it was steel wool. If that was at the spot against the center track roller and inside the frame. Then that was you main problem causing and short. If this train had magnatraction using steel wool would have been the worst for it. I learned that the hard way beside a short of the power, if it gets into the gears then your gears will just be eaten away, especially if they are brass or steel.

Pretty cool Lionel post-war steam locomotive.

The mechanical Lionel locos will run forever with basic cleaning and lubrication. They were well built back in the day.

I love how the title says “we” like I did something but all I did was sit down and eat potato chips.

Good job! Looking for a video about Ho-Locos and being Swiss guess if I was having fun 🤣!

Yay you did it😊👍

pretty cool

Very cool.

Whoa, reminds me of a Lionel engine I have. One that I bought was only $10, from 1970, was missing its tender and barely ran.

O gauge hours! also, this was really helpful! I hope you do more lionel stuff!

It’s been so long since I saw this engine

Why to go !!! That's the first time I have seen in side an old 3 rail locomotive.

Next video would be how to repaint that old 2-4-2 to look like new or at least get that silver paint off it. Thanks.

The polarity cycle on some of these locomotives was Forward, Neutral, Reverse, Neutral. It is quite possible that you found the neutral position. (The E-unit is working fine)

might be a year late but that was pretty normal on the finished run. The E units usually have a Neutral position. So power it goes in a direction. Turn off power. Turn it back on neutral then off and back on to change direction. Repeat again to change direction again. 100 year old mechanical electric technology used pretty much the same today.

my grandfather had one of these back in the 60's

Awesome video! It’s a good feeling to give an old locomotive like that a new life. What was the tool you used to clean the armature? Again awesome video! -Sam’s O Gauge Trains

My first train was a Lionel 242 with a plastic peacemaker set talk about nostalgia

hi i LOVE your vid and sam's train

I used to have one kinda like this. Sparks flew from the wheels and if you didn't have cars coupled to it it would fly off the track at full speed

You should put a new paint coat on it I have a 2-8-4 and got it painted in a red white and blue scheme and it looked great I used spray paint for it but that would go for a cool video

I never really known how Lionel came up with the name "Scout" for a train. I used to collect the conventional controlled engines until I found out how much easier the new lioncheif Control system was and now I'm looking for lioncheif equivalents of most of my engines

Get a tender for it because the tender for it has a whistle in it for the extra fun

looks like you could fix the paint with a silver sharpie, and that's a scout loco, I've had so many of them over the years

SMT is a model train wizard

Next time when you have the armature out and cleaned you may want to check it for continuity between segment of the commutator.Just a suggestion after many years of servicing others locos.

Love your videos and I love the way you fearlessly tear the locos apart. I am working on a 1950's lionel EMD NW-2 switcher. I saw your video about repairing a Lionel steam loco, and it helped but my loco has a small gear that won't stay alined, do you have a video on repairing those lionel switchers?

nice