I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR! I have been trying to figure out how to work on lionel items when I get them and they do not work and I have a 2055 postwar locomotive that was going in reverse great but it would not go forward good, It would go slowly and then after awhile it would start going a little faster but after I stopped it and let it sit for a minute it would restart all over again and barley move! I just watched you video and kept rewinding and pausing it and now this 2055 postwar is running like a champ! Thank you so much for doing these videos!
That’s fantastic! Nice work getting it going again. That’s exactly how I started working on the trains, I would pick up a cheap postwar and take it apart and try to make it better. Always fun and so rewarding when the run great afterwards. Glad the video was helpful!
The market would be for hobbyist like us that want the Trains built in America not just assembled in America and Built the way they were built in the postwar and MPC errors . The Pullmore motor was the best and still is they could improve it by adding a few extra poles to the armature if the wanted to make it crawl a little better.They tried to do it with the Postwar celebration series, the problem was it was all made in China and was not built the same as their predecessors . Lionel also came out with an induction motor they called the Odessey motor it was a great invention and it was stackable which was also a great idea , but it never came to market and it should have ! The cost as I see it should not be more than what it’s costs currently, with shipping and processing if the Trains were built in the USA no shipping and other costs would apply .@@dagryffynhobby
The problem is that if they did the quality wouldn’t be the same, & if they did make then as good as what they were they’d loose money because they lasted too long.
That model, 665,685,2055 & 2065 are great little runners. They are the ones that I run the most. Along with the 646, 2046, & the 2056. Great postwar locomotive! Thank you!
A great tutorial on the care of a 2065 Dave, and there's little to nothing I can add except for all you folks looking in the Lionel 2065 is a VERY good one to have. Solid, rugged, and reliable and as Dave's just demonstrated fairly easy to take care of. I've got two myself which I've altered into Pacifics, one a Jersey Central P47 and the other an Erie K5, or close imitations thereof. Both look great at the head end of passenger consists.
Another interesting and informative video, Dave. It always amazes me how carefully, yet quickly you do a check-up by removing the mechanics of the loco and put it back together. All due to having a careful system, keeping everything in sight. So satisfying to watch. In the end, you have rejuvenated a pre-war steamer to excellent running condition.
Thanks. It helps that I can edit out the flubs and cursing, the giving up, etc.! But I do love taking these things apart, it’s even better when they cooperate and go back together easily.
Another excellent video - thank you! I've been a fan of CRC (plastic-safe) for cleaning toy train electronics for a number of years. If I do choose to "soak" something, I do that outside: it's highly flammable, even though it evaporates quickly. Good point about making sure you lubricate appropriately after using it. I can also confirm advice I received that using a regular pencil eraser on the commutator face will clean it up nicely. I do that after cleaning off the gunk with CRC, and removing gunk between the segments with a toothpick. Thanks again for another solid maintenance video, Dave!
Nice cleaning video. Pretty much any Lionel steamer with parallel motor shaft and spur gear drives is applicable to this video. Most Lionel are similar/identical drive layout. Spur gear drives compared to worm gears has less loss due to no thrust loads of the worm. Generally more spur gears meshing in string to acquire reduction vs using bigger driven gears. But a worm can give greater power multiplications in one gear/worm mesh.
Great, informative video! I'm a big fan of the Lionel 2065. While I'm also partial to the worm-driven monsters (671/2020/726/736) the 2065's inline motor does a great job -- my elderly 2065 "creeps" as well as the worm-driven ones. I suppose the 2065 has a bit of a vulnerability in terms of the fact that the motor axle bearing is in the brush plate (which isn't as anywhere as durable as steel or brass, so this bearing can deform over time, causing a notorious "squeak" -- lube this bearing frequently!) I also love the 2065's illuminated marker lights -- AFAIK no other Lionel postwar steamer had them. And the 2065 is eminently affordable -- one can pick up fairly well-maintained examples for less than $150 -- and parts are plentiful as well.
Cool engine Dave! I had 2065 for a short time but it wouldn’t run right on my layout. So, I gave it back to Henning’s Trains and they refunded my money.
I don’t have much Lionel, but I do have this 2065 Engine and tender. Bought it back in early 80’s. Had all the cars and track for 50 bucks. Did the exact same type of cleaning on it and it still runs today. It’s also my favorite Lionel Steamer. Been using the CRC quick dry cleaner for a long time now. Since the 70’s when I learned how to repair American Flyer trains. Great stuff.
Great stuff Dave! I have the #665 which is exactly the same as the #2065. The #665 was the “O” Gauge number designation, and the #2065 was the O27 number designation. They’re not only excellent runners, but they have all of that cool side rod action, and the 2 white marker lights that illuminate with the lightbulb inside! That’s a cool feature you don’t see on any other Lionel steamers other than the green or red jewels. I also like how you threw in the MPC era #8206 that used that exact mold! That was the locomotive of choice by MPC in 1972 to have the Mighty Sound of Steam and the brand new Electronic Whistle. Iconic design for sure!! Great video Dave.
Thank you! I almost didn’t include the 8206 and then I remembered it was on the shelf, had to do it. I initially picked up the 8206 because it was cheaper but it’s just not as good as the original. I need to add a nice 665 to the collection at some point.
Another excellent video, and the RIGHT one for ma as I dig through those old Lionel cast iron bricks. Have a couple as "projects" :) And yes I did enjoy that video :) Thank you for building these, it isn't as easy as folks might think :)
Thanks for video! Will be purchasing a 2065 to go with my 2430 series passenger cars. Great tips on cleaning. Contact cleaner is excellent stuff. Thanks again!
Those are really nice-looking models, Dave. I'm glad you did a video of these models. I think they are some of the most undervalued and overlooked models from the postwar era, along with the 2025/2035 Pacific's. I'm so infatuated with them I have every model made. The 2055/2065 design is one of the easiest steam engines from the postwar era to disassemble and service anything on them. They are a reliable bulletproof design and are great pullers. Mine have always been up for any challenge. They always run trouble-free and without fail. Could that be the problem?
Great video, Dave. I have the 0 gauge version, the #665. These things are bullet proof. Well made, and fairly easily serviced. Is there any chance you could do a video on changing the fingers on the E-units?
Nice looking engine Dave, I have one as well and love that pre-heater on the top of the boiler in front. Have you ever taken apart the smoke unit? Looks like it has some buildup--or do you not prefer to put any fluid/pellets in to make it puff away. One other thing I like to do especially with the 2025 is take a before picture of the side rods on each side so that they are aligned up the same way when I put it back together, otherwise you can have binding and bent side rods. Great job. Have fun running them!
Thanks for your video! My mom wanted to get out her Lionel this year around the tree-bringing back memories of my grandmother’s house from 35 years ago and it was an “old” train back then! :) We got it running but I might try sprucing it up after Christmas. I saw your link for the oil, but any recommendations on types of electronics cleaner you’ve found successful (or to avoid)? Also any recommendations on cleaning up tracks? Thanks again!!
Awesome! Nothing like old trains with family history. I have been using Electronic Cleaner by WD-40 (not the lubricant) or from CRC. Just wait till it’s all dry and evaporated or you’ll have blue flames! They are pretty though lol. Cleaning old corroded or rusty track is not something I have patience for. I’ve heard there is a vinegar mixture that works well, but I haven’t tried it. If you want inexpensive tubular track, check out Menards, they make their own line of tubular and it works well, you just may need a pair of track pliers to make them fit right.
And yet another great video, Dave! That is one really clean 2065. I really like the little rattle snake, BTW! So now for my question of the day: Do you prefer running the collector rollers dry, or with lubricant? Any preferences on lubricants? I have tried the Bachmann Conductive lubricant, which is thin as water, but probably performs the best (conductively). Bachmann says to apply it every 24 hours. It's not cheap stuff either! I have found most medium weight hobby oils also work fine, with Labelle 107 being the better out of those so far. Any ideas?
Thanks for specifically naming the both the bachman conductive lubricant and Labelle 107 oil. Helps for a rookie like me. What kind and brand of grease do you recommend? Gary
Awesome! What year do you think that immaculate loco was made? Never seen a chassis so clean. Definitely seldom used and stored well. Makes me want to add one to my collection. Kool!!
For some reason my 2065 makes a weird grinding noise from the gear that’s connected to the motor and I’m not sure how to get it to stop I thought it just needed lubrication but that didn’t solve it so I wasn’t sure what to do
Hmm hard to say without hearing it. Make sure there is oil on both sides of the armature shaft where it contacts/spins. Also not just grease on the gears but the shaft the gears sit on too. Keep in mind these are all straight cut gears and will make noise no matter what. If it’s an abnormal noise it might be in need of new gears, one could be badly worn or loose. If you like, send me an email with a short clip and I’ll see if I can narrow it down
I note you steamers do not "nose" (move from side to side on straight track). To me that indicates good trackbwork and your concerns about drive wheels being not gauged properly is probably OK.
I have that same engine and it is a great puller.. LOVE the Santa Fe Hudsons!!!!!!!.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR! I have been trying to figure out how to work on lionel items when I get them and they do not work and I have a 2055 postwar locomotive that was going in reverse great but it would not go forward good, It would go slowly and then after awhile it would start going a little faster but after I stopped it and let it sit for a minute it would restart all over again and barley move! I just watched you video and kept rewinding and pausing it and now this 2055 postwar is running like a champ! Thank you so much for doing these videos!
That’s fantastic! Nice work getting it going again. That’s exactly how I started working on the trains, I would pick up a cheap postwar and take it apart and try to make it better. Always fun and so rewarding when the run great afterwards. Glad the video was helpful!
Great to see some postwar tinkering and running, it all looks so right on the tubular track, in proportion and just as it should, nice video thanks
I really like these maintenance videos. Keep ‘em coming.
Lionel needs to bring these types of Trains back and make them in America !
If they did, what would they cost and who would the market be? I mean I’d rather just keep buying the old stuff! Haha
The market would be for hobbyist like us that want the Trains built in America not just assembled in America and Built the way they were built in the postwar and MPC errors . The Pullmore motor was the best and still is they could improve it by adding a few extra poles to the armature if the wanted to make it crawl a little better.They tried to do it with the Postwar celebration series, the problem was it was all made in China and was not built the same as their predecessors . Lionel also came out with an induction motor they called the Odessey motor it was a great invention and it was stackable which was also a great idea , but it never came to market and it should have ! The cost as I see it should not be more than what it’s costs currently, with shipping and processing if the Trains were built in the USA no shipping and other costs would apply .@@dagryffynhobby
I could see that only with can motors traction tires optional.And keep the air whistle or railsounds.Oh and beef up the smoke out put.
The problem is that if they did the quality wouldn’t be the same, & if they did make then as good as what they were they’d loose money because they lasted too long.
Never gonna happen. Apparently people prefer DC can motors and shitty onboard speakers.
That model, 665,685,2055 & 2065 are great little runners. They are the ones that I run the most. Along with the 646, 2046, & the 2056. Great postwar locomotive! Thank you!
One of my favorite Engines , my 2065 and 2055 on running on my layout right now
I was just running those two together as well - classics!
A great tutorial on the care of a 2065 Dave, and there's little to nothing I can add except for all you folks looking in the Lionel 2065 is a VERY good one to have. Solid, rugged, and reliable and as Dave's just demonstrated fairly easy to take care of.
I've got two myself which I've altered into Pacifics, one a Jersey Central P47 and the other an Erie K5, or close imitations thereof. Both look great at the head end of passenger consists.
Thanks Wayne. It is a great little engine, strong and reliable. A little cleaning and off they go!
Another interesting and informative video, Dave. It always amazes me how carefully, yet quickly you do a check-up by removing the mechanics of the loco and put it back together. All due to having a careful system, keeping everything in sight. So satisfying to watch. In the end, you have rejuvenated a pre-war steamer to excellent running condition.
Thanks. It helps that I can edit out the flubs and cursing, the giving up, etc.! But I do love taking these things apart, it’s even better when they cooperate and go back together easily.
I have to remember the trick with electronic cleaner and third rail rollers!
I’ve been doing it on everything, works great!
i just got this loco now i feel ok about service this beauty
And that’s why I make these videos! Awesome.
Another excellent video - thank you! I've been a fan of CRC (plastic-safe) for cleaning toy train electronics for a number of years. If I do choose to "soak" something, I do that outside: it's highly flammable, even though it evaporates quickly. Good point about making sure you lubricate appropriately after using it. I can also confirm advice I received that using a regular pencil eraser on the commutator face will clean it up nicely. I do that after cleaning off the gunk with CRC, and removing gunk between the segments with a toothpick. Thanks again for another solid maintenance video, Dave!
Nice cleaning video. Pretty much any Lionel steamer with parallel motor shaft and spur gear drives is applicable to this video. Most Lionel are similar/identical drive layout. Spur gear drives compared to worm gears has less loss due to no thrust loads of the worm. Generally more spur gears meshing in string to acquire reduction vs using bigger driven gears. But a worm can give greater power multiplications in one gear/worm mesh.
Great, informative video! I'm a big fan of the Lionel 2065. While I'm also partial to the worm-driven monsters (671/2020/726/736) the 2065's inline motor does a great job -- my elderly 2065 "creeps" as well as the worm-driven ones. I suppose the 2065 has a bit of a vulnerability in terms of the fact that the motor axle bearing is in the brush plate (which isn't as anywhere as durable as steel or brass, so this bearing can deform over time, causing a notorious "squeak" -- lube this bearing frequently!) I also love the 2065's illuminated marker lights -- AFAIK no other Lionel postwar steamer had them. And the 2065 is eminently affordable -- one can pick up fairly well-maintained examples for less than $150 -- and parts are plentiful as well.
Cool engine Dave! I had 2065 for a short time but it wouldn’t run right on my layout. So, I gave it back to Henning’s Trains and they refunded my money.
I don’t have much Lionel, but I do have this 2065 Engine and tender. Bought it back in early 80’s. Had all the cars and track for 50 bucks. Did the exact same type of cleaning on it and it still runs today. It’s also my favorite Lionel Steamer. Been using the CRC quick dry cleaner for a long time now. Since the 70’s when I learned how to repair American Flyer trains. Great stuff.
Nice! A good deal for $50 especially since it’s still a runner. Very nice!
Great stuff Dave! I have the #665 which is exactly the same as the #2065. The #665 was the “O” Gauge number designation, and the #2065 was the O27 number designation. They’re not only excellent runners, but they have all of that cool side rod action, and the 2 white marker lights that illuminate with the lightbulb inside! That’s a cool feature you don’t see on any other Lionel steamers other than the green or red jewels. I also like how you threw in the MPC era #8206 that used that exact mold! That was the locomotive of choice by MPC in 1972 to have the Mighty Sound of Steam and the brand new Electronic Whistle. Iconic design for sure!! Great video Dave.
Thank you! I almost didn’t include the 8206 and then I remembered it was on the shelf, had to do it. I initially picked up the 8206 because it was cheaper but it’s just not as good as the original. I need to add a nice 665 to the collection at some point.
Another excellent video, and the RIGHT one for ma as I dig through those old Lionel cast iron bricks. Have a couple as "projects" :) And yes I did enjoy that video :) Thank you for building these, it isn't as easy as folks might think :)
Glad you enjoy and find the videos helpful. I’m sure there are many “dead” trains out there that just need a little love to get them going again.
That's a nice string of postwar box cars behind that locomotive.
Thank you!
Thanks for video! Will be purchasing a 2065 to go with my 2430 series passenger cars. Great tips on cleaning. Contact cleaner is excellent stuff. Thanks again!
LOVE the Santa Fe Hudsons!!!!!!!
They are good ones!
Well Done.
Thank you!
Thank You 😊 Dave!
My pleasure!
Those are really nice-looking models, Dave. I'm glad you did a video of these models. I think they are some of the most undervalued and overlooked models from the postwar era, along with the 2025/2035 Pacific's. I'm so infatuated with them I have every model made. The 2055/2065 design is one of the easiest steam engines from the postwar era to disassemble and service anything on them. They are a reliable bulletproof design and are great pullers. Mine have always been up for any challenge. They always run trouble-free and without fail. Could that be the problem?
I agree they are easy to work on , the only thing that Lionel should have done was make the cow catcher removable .
Great video, Dave. I have the 0 gauge version, the #665. These things are bullet proof. Well made, and fairly easily serviced.
Is there any chance you could do a video on changing the fingers on the E-units?
Very kool it’s awesome
Thanks
Thanks Dave great video helpful with my post war engines. Thanks again and be safe
Glad it’s helpful! Thanks
Nice looking engine Dave, I have one as well and love that pre-heater on the top of the boiler in front. Have you ever taken apart the smoke unit? Looks like it has some buildup--or do you not prefer to put any fluid/pellets in to make it puff away.
One other thing I like to do especially with the 2025 is take a before picture of the side rods on each side so that they are aligned up the same way when I put it back together, otherwise you can have binding and bent side rods.
Great job. Have fun running them!
Great video thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
I have that same engine and it is a great puller.
It really is
cool
Thanks👍
Thanks for your video! My mom wanted to get out her Lionel this year around the tree-bringing back memories of my grandmother’s house from 35 years ago and it was an “old” train back then! :) We got it running but I might try sprucing it up after Christmas. I saw your link for the oil, but any recommendations on types of electronics cleaner you’ve found successful (or to avoid)? Also any recommendations on cleaning up tracks? Thanks again!!
Awesome! Nothing like old trains with family history. I have been using Electronic Cleaner by WD-40 (not the lubricant) or from CRC. Just wait till it’s all dry and evaporated or you’ll have blue flames! They are pretty though lol. Cleaning old corroded or rusty track is not something I have patience for. I’ve heard there is a vinegar mixture that works well, but I haven’t tried it. If you want inexpensive tubular track, check out Menards, they make their own line of tubular and it works well, you just may need a pair of track pliers to make them fit right.
And yet another great video, Dave! That is one really clean 2065. I really like the little rattle snake, BTW! So now for my question of the day: Do you prefer running the collector rollers dry, or with lubricant? Any preferences on lubricants? I have tried the Bachmann Conductive lubricant, which is thin as water, but probably performs the best (conductively). Bachmann says to apply it every 24 hours. It's not cheap stuff either! I have found most medium weight hobby oils also work fine, with Labelle 107 being the better out of those so far. Any ideas?
Thanks for specifically naming the both the bachman conductive lubricant and Labelle 107 oil. Helps for a rookie like me. What kind and brand of grease do you recommend? Gary
Awesome! What year do you think that immaculate loco was made? Never seen a chassis so clean. Definitely seldom used and stored well. Makes me want to add one to my collection. Kool!!
Wish I knew, between 1954-56. It’s a classic in any variation
The 2055 & 2065 were both modeled from actual Santa Fe Hudson locomotives
That’s what I’m told 😀
For some reason my 2065 makes a weird grinding noise from the gear that’s connected to the motor and I’m not sure how to get it to stop I thought it just needed lubrication but that didn’t solve it so I wasn’t sure what to do
Hmm hard to say without hearing it. Make sure there is oil on both sides of the armature shaft where it contacts/spins. Also not just grease on the gears but the shaft the gears sit on too. Keep in mind these are all straight cut gears and will make noise no matter what. If it’s an abnormal noise it might be in need of new gears, one could be badly worn or loose. If you like, send me an email with a short clip and I’ll see if I can narrow it down
I note you steamers do not "nose" (move from side to side on straight track). To me that indicates good trackbwork and your concerns about drive wheels being not gauged properly is probably OK.
Some of them do, sometimes more on the curves, I find the shorter the wheelbase the more likely it is to move side to side.
Hi Dave had a question what band name is your soldering gun ? I still do it the old way
Thsnks
Mine is a no name Amazon purchase. If you are looking for one, go with the one by Saker
Thanks