Good job. The 2026 is worth restoring, and there is no better personal “victory dance” that comes from restoring a total basket case. Keep up the good work.
This is the kind of stuff I like to do. All my life it seems the most enjoyment I have is bringing something back from the dead. The only thing I think I would have done differently from what you did is, I probably would have tossed it in the ultra sonic cleaner. Minus the shell. Great job on it!
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority I bought mine about 6 years ago for around 70.00. I think I got it off Ebay. Its perfect size for this. I started out buying mine to clean lawnmower carbs.
I love restoring these locomotives! Ive found many beaten and worn locos and brought them back to working condition just like this. Its very rewarding!
Great job bringing it back to life. I did a 2025 a few years back for a friend that was locked up and just as rusty (if not worse) than yours. After some thought I pulled the shell off, removed the e-unit, all the wiring, and fiberboards (brush holder and collector) then proceeded to throw the motor in a container of mineral spirits. I let it soak for a few hours pulling it out and working the wheels and once I got it freed up (although not completely free) I let it soak a day or two. As I was letting the motor soak I kept working with the e-unit because the plunger was frozen up. I wound up tearing it completely apart (I really loathe working on them) and FINALLY got it freed up and moving. It was one of those labors of love as it was his father’s. The tender was in just as bad of shape but I was able to resurrect it in the same fashion. I pulled the wheels from the engines motor and had to take all the trucks apart as everything was so rusty but I managed to save most everything except I inevitably had to rebuild the e-unit because I damaged the board too much trying to get it apart.
Yeah that definitely sounds like a labor of love. At a certain point you start tearing stuff down and rebuilding it and you just say, I'm not going to let this beat me! Lol. I don't know if I'd ever want to tackle one this bad again but I was lucky in that once I got the motor free everything was working pretty well and the e-unit just needed spray down with contact cleaner. My wife thinks I collect these things like lost puppies!
I found it interesting that this particular locomotive had pickup shoes instead of rollers. I finally rebuilt a 2-6-4 Lionel locomotive I had, can’t beat that early post-war stuff.
I’ve restored several locomotives like this one. I actually had a 2026. Lionel made their locomotives to run for a century or more. Lionel did have some special tools in order to service these locomotives.
Great work and very interesting video. Always nice to see these junked engines getting back to life. Thanks for sharing. I believe the white residue on the front and wheels could be caused by a release agent for the casting moulds Lionel used. After years go by it becomes that white stuff. A lot of post war cars have this problem on the bogies. Heating it up with a hairdryer would be an easy trick to let it dissapear without scrubbing.
Great job. I just subscribed and I'm catching up on videos from all of my subscriptions. I'm a big fan of PB Blaster. It does a great job on rust and other shmuts on metal. I've never liked taking apart that series of engines, as it is always kind of a hassle, with the way they are put together. Other engines, like the 2055, you can take the shell off and not have to disconnect any of the running gear. Either way, that is a nice job of repairing and getting that old 2026 back on the tracks. They are my favorite Lionel steam engines and I have a few of them. I also buy 6466WX tenders whenever I find them a shows. It is a great style of tender, plenty of weight and goes with almost any Lionel steam locomotive. An excellent video, for sure.
Thanks for subscribing! I think I have used gallons of PB. Great stuff. I agree. Taking down the running gear is a pain. Why did Lionel do it that way?!
I hear you, i just bought a 2026 in worse condition. I didn't notice in the photos when i bought it. After I unboxed it, I went to turn the drivers, I noticed the whole roller assembly was gone. After further inspection, I noticed that the e-unit was also missing from it. Bummed me the blank out!!! 😮😢
That's a bummer. One thing that helps is to find a really good parts guy. My buddy Kyle has such an incredible knowledge of this stuff and he has tens of thousands of parts. It's no wonder people from all over the country call him. Are you looking to restore this and just need the parts?
From my standpoint, I like to keep as much of the original item there as possible. I know some people would do restoration to the 100% level but I try to keep some of the artifact there if that makes sense.
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority: I see your point and have the exact train and about the same age. I was going to completely restore it to its original condition but now I'm not so sure based on your explanation. Thanks!!
@@jroar123 I replace broken or missing parts for sure. Scratches don't bother me. It's all part of that loco's story. Just a good scrubbing of the shell and a wipe down with some WD40. It will still look pretty. 😁
HOT water and scrubbed with a soft toothbrush and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Let it dry and sprayed it down with WD-40 to soak overnight. Wiped it down the next day.
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthorityI thought that white stuff was mold, mildew... (Sure wish I had your skills restoring these old engines) Appreciate your videos sir.
@@huckstaunfiltered8200 well unless I send this thing to a lab it's really hard to know what that white stuff. Hey I have just been doing a bunch of research and watching what other people do. It's ultimately not that hard. I know you can do it too!
That poor Prairie! Looks awesome now!
It needed to be loved!
Good job. The 2026 is worth restoring, and there is no better personal “victory dance” that comes from restoring a total basket case. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
This is the kind of stuff I like to do. All my life it seems the most enjoyment I have is bringing something back from the dead. The only thing I think I would have done differently from what you did is, I probably would have tossed it in the ultra sonic cleaner. Minus the shell. Great job on it!
I like doing that stuff too. A sonic cleaner would have made my life easier 😁
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority I bought mine about 6 years ago for around 70.00. I think I got it off Ebay. Its perfect size for this. I started out buying mine to clean lawnmower carbs.
I love restoring these locomotives! Ive found many beaten and worn locos and brought them back to working condition just like this. Its very rewarding!
I agree. It is very rewarding!!
Fantastic job on restoring the #2026 locomotive.😊
Thank you!
Great job bringing it back to life. I did a 2025 a few years back for a friend that was locked up and just as rusty (if not worse) than yours. After some thought I pulled the shell off, removed the e-unit, all the wiring, and fiberboards (brush holder and collector) then proceeded to throw the motor in a container of mineral spirits. I let it soak for a few hours pulling it out and working the wheels and once I got it freed up (although not completely free) I let it soak a day or two.
As I was letting the motor soak I kept working with the e-unit because the plunger was frozen up. I wound up tearing it completely apart (I really loathe working on them) and FINALLY got it freed up and moving.
It was one of those labors of love as it was his father’s. The tender was in just as bad of shape but I was able to resurrect it in the same fashion. I pulled the wheels from the engines motor and had to take all the trucks apart as everything was so rusty but I managed to save most everything except I inevitably had to rebuild the e-unit because I damaged the board too much trying to get it apart.
Yeah that definitely sounds like a labor of love. At a certain point you start tearing stuff down and rebuilding it and you just say, I'm not going to let this beat me! Lol. I don't know if I'd ever want to tackle one this bad again but I was lucky in that once I got the motor free everything was working pretty well and the e-unit just needed spray down with contact cleaner. My wife thinks I collect these things like lost puppies!
At least unlike a puppy, these things don’t require nearly as much attention other than a little maintenance occasionally lol.
I found it interesting that this particular locomotive had pickup shoes instead of rollers. I finally rebuilt a 2-6-4 Lionel locomotive I had, can’t beat that early post-war stuff.
You really did beautiful work on this one. I had a 1953 2026 back in that year, and loved it. Wish I still had it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. It certainly was a learning experience!
Great work, love bringing these locomotives back to life
It was a lot of fun and very rewarding in the end. I'm heading to a train show tomorrow and hoping to find something else that needs love!
Awesome job!!!! Great job!
Look at that quality,nice job on the restoration.
@@XCELERATIONRULES thank you!
Wonderful job !
Thanks Ray.
Great job
Very nice! Also, as a Z scaler modeller I can only say "Jesus, that loco is huge!"
Beautiful restoration.
Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁 🚂
Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Good job. I've made those contact plate boards on the 3D printer.
That's a great idea!!
Great job on bringing it back to life.
Pretty Amazing that you restored the poor abused Lionel Locomotive.
Thanks. She needed some love.
They are great running engines. Some of the best smoke output from any Lionel engines. I have two of them. You got a great deal.
I’ve restored several locomotives like this one. I actually had a 2026. Lionel made their locomotives to run for a century or more. Lionel did have some special tools in order to service these locomotives.
I wish I had one of their frame spreaders.
Nice repair. New subscriber here.
Thank you and THANK YOU!
Great work and very interesting video. Always nice to see these junked engines getting back to life. Thanks for sharing.
I believe the white residue on the front and wheels could be caused by a release agent for the casting moulds Lionel used. After years go by it becomes that white stuff. A lot of post war cars have this problem on the bogies. Heating it up with a hairdryer would be an easy trick to let it dissapear without scrubbing.
Thank you very much for the kind comment. I guess I have been told I need to "work more, talk less". But the end result is the same. LOL!
I have my Granddad's 2026. Still runs like new
Do you run it on a layout or just under the tree? Or both!
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority both
Great job. I just subscribed and I'm catching up on videos from all of my subscriptions. I'm a big fan of PB Blaster. It does a great job on rust and other shmuts on metal. I've never liked taking apart that series of engines, as it is always kind of a hassle, with the way they are put together. Other engines, like the 2055, you can take the shell off and not have to disconnect any of the running gear. Either way, that is a nice job of repairing and getting that old 2026 back on the tracks. They are my favorite Lionel steam engines and I have a few of them. I also buy 6466WX tenders whenever I find them a shows. It is a great style of tender, plenty of weight and goes with almost any Lionel steam locomotive. An excellent video, for sure.
Thanks for subscribing! I think I have used gallons of PB. Great stuff. I agree. Taking down the running gear is a pain. Why did Lionel do it that way?!
I am currently fixing an athern rubber band f unit
How's it coming?
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority poorly, got an unknown short circuit
@@YourLocalRailfan hmmm. Any of the wires losing their covering?
Restoring an old Lionel train or toy train is like restoring a real old locomotive that had been retired from service for years.
Awsum video 😎🚂
Great job!! I wonder how many 77 year old toys from 2023 will still be repairable and operational in 2100? Jus' sayin'....
True!
And nice use of FasTrack
I see you're also a Star Wars fan! 😮 🫡 👍
That`s a nice.
I hear you, i just bought a 2026 in worse condition. I didn't notice in the photos when i bought it. After I unboxed it, I went to turn the drivers, I noticed the whole roller assembly was gone. After further inspection, I noticed that the e-unit was also missing from it. Bummed me the blank out!!! 😮😢
That's a bummer. One thing that helps is to find a really good parts guy. My buddy Kyle has such an incredible knowledge of this stuff and he has tens of thousands of parts. It's no wonder people from all over the country call him. Are you looking to restore this and just need the parts?
That is one Gorre and Daphieted locomotive.
It’s alive
I thought the 2026 was a 4-6-2. Cheers from eastern TN
Hi Rusty. You are thinking of the Lionel Hudsons. The 2026 and the like are Prairie locomotives.
Question: Why didn't you repaint the train?
From my standpoint, I like to keep as much of the original item there as possible. I know some people would do restoration to the 100% level but I try to keep some of the artifact there if that makes sense.
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority: I see your point and have the exact train and about the same age. I was going to completely restore it to its original condition but now I'm not so sure based on your explanation. Thanks!!
@@jroar123 I replace broken or missing parts for sure. Scratches don't bother me. It's all part of that loco's story. Just a good scrubbing of the shell and a wipe down with some WD40. It will still look pretty. 😁
How did you get the white substance off the front of the engine by the front wheels? I have the same thing on an old engine that I have
HOT water and scrubbed with a soft toothbrush and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Let it dry and sprayed it down with WD-40 to soak overnight. Wiped it down the next day.
I thought for sure that was zinc pest on the pilot and it was a goner. Great job saving that old locomotive@@CloverdaleTransitAuthority
@@matthunt5602 that stuff ate an MTH driver of mine from only 1999.
@@CloverdaleTransitAuthorityI thought that white stuff was mold, mildew... (Sure wish I had your skills restoring these old engines) Appreciate your videos sir.
@@huckstaunfiltered8200 well unless I send this thing to a lab it's really hard to know what that white stuff. Hey I have just been doing a bunch of research and watching what other people do. It's ultimately not that hard. I know you can do it too!
Sweet job you've done there, just don't let Gomez Addams blow up the Bridge on it.
Lol! Will do.
I have the 2026 Lionel steam locomotive and tender the e unit doesn't work i would like to get it running again
Bill, I'd be willing to take a look at it for you.
💥💥subscribed💥💥
Meine Güte, man muss doch nicht jedes kleine Teil zeigen und kommentiere ☹️. Mehr arbeiten, weniger reden!