Model Train Journal

Pulled the Lionel 249 down off the shelf for a spin around the layout:



This thing had the annoying habit of dropping a stud that holds the connecting rod and eccentric in place on the left-hand side. I was going to try a bit of thread-locker on it, but Sarge suggested a little clear lacquer on the threads instead. After thirty minutes of run-time, everything seems to be staying in place, so a good solution.

From 1936-1937, I run a 2225T tender behind it, but that's not correct; it should be a 265T or 265W. Something else to look for at York this next go-round.

Sarge suggested a little clear lacquer on the threads instead

What was the reason for this over the thread locker? Inquiring minds want to know.

Greg, it's an old trick, far easier to disassemble later if assembled with a tiny drop of clear nail polish or clear gloss lacquer rather than a thread-locker.

Usually, the screw will pop loose and turn out using a normal screwdriver or spanner. If it is stubborn, a quick hit of the head with a soldering iron will thermally cycle the metal of the screw and the expansion will pop 'er loose without buggering up screw or screwhole.

The least aggressive thread "filler", the easier it non-destructively comes back apart. I start with that; if it doesn't work I go to a likewise tiny drop of Elmers White, only then do I crack out the big guns.

Hope it's useful.

My limited experience with Loctite Thread Locker has it categorized with cyanoacrylate (Super Glue), which can be a bitch to undo. Was looking for an alternate, less binding agent in case I need to back it out.

222 locktite, or screwtite, effectively the same as nail polish. Use it all the time.

Clear fingernail polish seems a good choice because it is clear and only $1.29 at the drugstore. Loctite is $9.69 at my autoparts store.

Information on Loctite:=> https://next.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en ... ocker.html

Lok-tite makes several products. They have one ( green in color) good for fine threads. But. If nail polish works stick with it. Probably cheaper in the long run

You beat me to it. With a longer explanation. Plus a lot of people don’t use the right screwdriver. I don’t think that’s a problem around here. If you have a set of gunsmith’s screwdrivers. You’re good to go with most screws.

Eeee

Hope it's useful

It is useful, thank you Sarge. I have very limited experience with thread lockers. I know certain colors have certain strengths however my experience with all of them are as Paul stated ‘a bitch to undo’
I like the idea of the Elmers white glue as an alternative too. Much more likely that I’ll have lacquer and Elmers glue in my arsenal over any of the other thread lockers.

healey36 wrote:Pulled the Lionel 249 down off the shelf for a spin around the layout:

Beautiful locomotive. Released in 1958. I wonder if the Lionel Locomotives with can motors will last as long?

What Scale Izit?

Healy, I notice your 249 appears to have an illuminated headlight.

Anonymous asked on Classic Toy Trains Forum, "I have a Lionel 249. I ran it there wasn’t a light. I can’t remember if this had one or not."

Lionel Soni answered, "Neither smoke nor headlight, two-position e-unit. The 250 was the same locomotive, but with a headlight and a three-position e-unit."

Reference: https://forum.trains.com/t/lionel-249/88303/1

Did someone add a light to your 249?

webenda wrote:Healy, I notice your 249 appears to have an illuminated headlight.

Anonymous asked on Classic Toy Trains Forum, "I have a Lionel 249. I ran it there wasn’t a light. I can’t remember if this had one or not."

Lionel Soni answered, "Neither smoke nor headlight, two-position e-unit. The 250 was the same locomotive, but with a headlight and a three-position e-unit."

Reference: https://forum.trains.com/t/lionel-249/88303/1

Did someone add a light to your 249?

I think they are referring to the postwar 249:



This was one from the series of plastic-boiler Scout-type locos Lionel pushed out starting in the late 1950s and continuing into the 1960s. This one had no headlight, although others in the series did. Pretty much the canary in the coal mine as Lionel headed for fiscal oblivion. I have a set featuring a similar 242 loco (it has a headlight) that was offered by Quaker Oats for around fifteen bucks and a couple of oatmeal box-tops. Not Lionel's best moment.

The prewar 249 does have a headlight (and an E-unit, despite missing the "E" designation).

webenda wrote:What Scale Izit?

Is that Buford Pusser climbing out of that pick-up?