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LCCA 50th Anniversary

Frequently Asked Questions

Parts and Service for My Trains

Yes! Many parts for trains made throughout Lionel's history are still available. Reproductions of difficult to find parts are also available. Lionel still maintains Authorized Service Stations with trained specialists who can not only repair current production, but also older Lionel products. You can check for a local Service Station at Lionel's website - www.Lionel.com under the customer service tab. You might also check local hobby shops. The service manual can help you identify parts which can then be purchased. For more current production, Lionel offers instruction manuals and exploded parts diagrams which are viewable on their website www.lionel.com.

Members of the LCCA receive The Lion Roars, five times a year. This magazine features layout photos, reviews of current products, and tips on running and repairing Lionel trains. Back issues of the magazine are also available to members online. Lionel's postwar service manual is available to members on the LCCA website in the digital archives.

The track you have sounds right. The 1.25" dimension should be an inside measurement BETWEEN the two outer rails. An excellent digital version with full size printable pages is available to our members on the LCCA website in the digital archive section. I would be cautious about repairing the transformer. Lionel doesn't even allow their service stations to repair them. It is the one spot where you have 110 volts. If you are qualified electrically, the cord can certainly be changed, but the transformer should be tested and assured safe before passing it on to your grandchildren. The service manuals listed above do give technical details on many of Lionel's transformers. If you have a hobby or train shop that sells Lionel, you may be able to purchased a used transformer for a reasonable price.

The postwar 3927 was introduced by Lionel in 1956. The sponge ring and cotton swabs are still available from many Lionel parts dealers, but not directly from Lionel. I did a quick Google search and found them sold by at least one dealer. They are listed in the parts section under no. 3927. I'm sure other parts dealers also have them. Lionel cautioned back then to only use Lionel's cleaning fluid, which was a non-flammable detergent fluid. I have heard from others that the Life-Like track cleaning fluid is a good choice. The important thing is that you don't want to use anything flammable or anything that will attack plastic. I also understand that Lionel's postwar track cleaning car is not as efficient at cleaning as one might hope. It is certainly worth a try though.

You should definitely NOT use the old Lionel Lubricant. Save the tube as a memory of postwar Lionel, but don’t use it on your trains. Today’s lithium lubricants are far superior than Lionel’s mix of oil and soap. Lionel’s lube will in time dry out leaving a hard and unsuitable residue that must be cleaned out. Some of Lionel’s postwar accessories which used this lube, i.e. No. 364 Lumber Loader, will function so much better if the old lube is removed, the gear case cleaned, and modern lithium grease added to replace the old lube. THe original Lionel Lube has not been offered by Lionel since the 1960s. Current Lionel Maintenance kits include a lithium based lube.

It sounds like your e-unit is stuck in one position. First be sure that the e-unit lever is in the correct position. In one position it locks the e-unit. In the other position it allows the normal forward-neutral-reverse-neutral operation. Try the loco with that lever in each position. If that does not solve the problem, you’ll have to remove the boiler shell and inspect the e-unit. Check its operation with the boiler shell off and make sure the e-unit lever is making proper contact. In the position you want it in, it makes an electrical contact. If that lever is loose, that contact might not be being made. Also check that the plunger in the e-unit is able to move and not jammed.