How to Clean an Old Lionel Train Engine

Vintage Lionel trains are the gold standard for toy collectors. Shopkeeper Joshua Lionel Cowan originally designed the trains as a display for his store window to entice shoppers. But his customers were so entranced, he began selling the trains themselves in 1906. The older cars have skyrocketed in value over the past few decades, and can cost thousands of dollars. But what helps determine a train's value is its appearance, so a bad cleaning job can damage not only the look of the train, but also its worth. That's why this is a job that needs patience and care.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Non-metallic cleaning pads
• Utility knife
• Soap
• Cotton swab
• Light oil spray
• Toothpick
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Wash the train using a washcloth or a soft brush. If there's rust on the train car, sand it down with sandpaper or a non-metallic kitchen scrubbing pad. However, if you're cleaning tracks at the same time, do not sand the tracks. Small bits of metal could lodge in the tracks, eventually getting picked up by the trains that run on them. The metal scraps could cause permanent damage to the cars.

2. Raise the roof if you can, by removing the screws that hold it in place or by unsnapping it, depending on what kind of roof it is. Remove the truck, which is held in place by either a cotter pin or a lock washer. It's possible to unbend the tabs to enable you to remove trim pieces, but it's usually not necessary.

3. Using soap, water and cotton swabs, delicately clean as much of the inside of the car as possible. If necessary, you can use the point of a utility knife to remove built-up dirt. Rinse the car, then hand dry thoroughly so that you don't risk rust building up in it.

4. Dip a cotton swab in light oil spray and carefully remove any dirt that's left. Saturate the cotton swab with the light oil spray, then run it around the wheels of the car.

5. Use a toothpick to pick up drops of oil so that you can reach the small parts that enable the train to move. This will help keep the pieces lubricated to make the car run easier. Put the car back together by replacing the trim, locking the truck back in place, and snapping the roof back on. Your car is now clean and ready to roll.

References

• Lionel: General Tips
• Britannica: Cleaning Lionel Trains
• TCA: Restoring Lionel Trains

Resources

• Ebay Guides: Lionel Trains