A Pre-war Lionel came to my fold!...and a rant!

[Andy Griffith]

Well, the Mrs. is making a sour cream and lemon pound cake for a late lunch, and I have some company coming over this evening, so I can't type long.

(Mmmm...a piece of warm, glazed pound cake and a glass of milk on Sunday afternoon!

)


Yesterday, I received a Lionel 261 locomotive from the early 30's and the place I ordered it from stated that it had been restored. From the pictures it looked great, and the price was what I wanted to pay.

I received it yesterday, and I wasn't pleased from the start. They left the little flags in the boiler front during shipping and they both became broken and the bell also broke off! The side rods had paint over the rust, the paint on the frame had runs in it and the "boiler" was bent so badly to the rear, that I had to take it off and re-bend it in order to get the latch on the front to close. What's worse, on the bottom of the engine, someone had the gall to put a label stating:

"T.C.A. IDENTAG
For
Restored Tinplate"

All I can say is that if a gunsmith restored firearms like this, he'd be out of business in a hurry!

Just so you know what I am talking about for those that don't know what I'm talking about, here is a picture of one I gleaned from the net:
It is not my picture, or engine!

I am going to give them a call tomorrow and see if they are willing to make it right, either through return of the piece and refund of my money (less return postage- I'm fair), sending me some flags and some Lionel style paint so I may strip it down and repair/restore it myself (All I need is ANOTHER project!

), or a monetary compensation.

This was the first time that I have dealt with this establishment, and I hope that the management will resolve the problem so this transaction will not be my last one.
I shall update.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Well, the Mrs. is making a sour cream and lemon pound cake for a late lunch, and I have some company coming over this evening, so I can't type long.

(Mmmm...a piece of warm, glazed pound cake and a glass of milk on Sunday afternoon!

)


Yesterday, I received a Lionel 261 locomotive from the early 30's and the place I ordered it from stated that it had been restored. From the pictures it looked great, and the price was what I wanted to pay.

I received it yesterday, and I wasn't pleased from the start. They left the little flags in the boiler front during shipping and they both became broken and the bell also broke off! The side rods had paint over the rust, the paint on the frame had runs in it and the "boiler" was bent so badly to the rear, that I had to take it off and re-bend it in order to get the latch on the front to close. What's worse, on the bottom of the engine, someone had the gall to put a label stating:

"T.C.A. IDENTAG
For
Restored Tinplate"

All I can say is that if a gunsmith restored firearms like this, he'd be out of business in a hurry!

Just so you know what I am talking about for those that don't know what I'm talking about, here is a picture of one I gleaned from the net:
It is not my picture, or engine!

I am going to give them a call tomorrow and see if they are willing to make it right, either through return of the piece and refund of my money (less return postage- I'm fair), sending me some flags and some Lionel style paint so I may strip it down and repair/restore it myself (All I need is ANOTHER project!

), or a monetary compensation.

This was the first time that I have dealt with this establishment, and I hope that the management will resolve the problem so this transaction will not be my last one.
I shall update.

 

[kennyb]

hope it all works out...i'm a lionel guy as well

 

[riptrack44]

If you read the 'small print' and it was returnable, that's where it would have landed. Sounds to me like it was misrepresented from the get-go. If they don't want to give you any satisfaction, call their BBB. I've got some postwar late '40's Lionel and both prewar and postwar (early stuff) is really cool.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I talked to the business just a while ago, and they were agreeable.

They either requested me to return it for a full refund, or send me new flags, paint and a couple of other small pieces that I noted were broken/incorrect. I took the later choice.

I said I didn't need another project, but it does run much better than either one of my other 262's. Why, I don't know. Anyway, if they send me what they have promised, I'll be impressed.

 

[peyton]

I was in my fathers attic atchristmas and found the box with all of our RR stuff. I did think about it until this came up. The train was old but not abused in 1965. We used it and everything worked. When the Hot wheels stuff came out the train was sent to the attic!

 

[Andy Griffith]

This thread does give me a good idea for a photo-op once I get the budget for May done and see if I have enough to get a new camera.

A "vintage Christmas/birthday" themed thread wouldn't be too bad, would it? Vintage .22 rifle or small gauge shotgun with correct period ammunition, holster, electric train and other vintage toys.

See, I do use my head for more than a hat rack...sometimes.

 

[Mustang51]

Not identical, but here is a picture of my father's 262E. He was born in '27, so I'm guessing this dates to the mid-30s.

 

[bk43]

Thread drift ahead. Since you model train guys are gathered around the fire, so to speak, is a Stream Line set in the box made by Louis Marx & Company worth anything? I'm guessing it's from the early fifties.

Bob

 

[Andy Griffith]

bk43,

I certain that it is, but have no idea how much or what. I've never had a Marx or American Flyer, but had friends that did and have seen them in shops. I don't consider myself a "collector" of toy trains, just a person that enjoys them.

I am certain that there are publications out there that cover Marx just like those that cover Lionel and American Flyer. I'd recommend obtaining one, having your library get one for your use, or joining a Marx Toys forum. (Not to be confused with Karl Marx or Marx Brothers fan club forums.

)

I wish I could help.

Maybe we have some Marx Toy collectors on here.


That's a beautiful 262E there Mustang!!!
I am certain that you are proud that it was your father's! For some reason, over every other train that I have, I love these little engines with the copper or nickel hardware on them- much more so than my scale model modern "O" gauge pieces. Why I now have a fascination with these toys of this style, I don't know.

 

[CelticSire]

Originally posted by bk43:
Thread drift ahead. Since you model train guys are gathered around the fire, so to speak, is a Stream Line set in the box made by Louis Marx & Company worth anything? I'm guessing it's from the early fifties.

Bob

Depending on which set it is, values can run from $25-$30 to around $200. Depends on which set, condition, etc.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Your train pictures looks like my dad's stuff. He was born in 29 and as an only child he took care of his stuff. He gave it to me years ago and I just packed it away in the attic. He has all of the original boxes and paperwork that went with it in nice shape.

I am an HO fan so the Lionel stuff is sort of interesting, but not my thing.

 

[Mustang51]

My dad was an only child as well. I'm happy to have a few of his childhood things. By contrast, I only have one toy from my childhood..a big, Japanese made, '63 Cadillac friction car. If I'd held onto all the stuff I had as a kid, I could open an E-Bay account, and retire.