EBAY GAMBLE! DID I LOSE BIG? LIONEL 221 RIO GRANDE

In today’s video on Grampys Lionel Trains, we take a gamble on an eBay “sold as-is, not tested, not running” Lionel 221 Rio Grande Alco diesel from the early 1960s. Sometimes these old postwar and MPC-era Lionel trains only need a good cleaning and service to come back to life… and other times, you lose your shirt!
Follow along as we completely tear down, clean, service, and troubleshoot this classic Lionel Alco diesel, concentrating on the two-position E-unit, electrical contacts, armature, commutator, pickup rollers, trucks, and motor assembly to figure out why this engine would not cycle properly between forward and reverse.
Along the way we clean years of dirt, oxidation, old grease, and surface rust using contact cleaner, WD-40, BowShield T-9, buffing wheels, and careful servicing techniques to preserve as many original Lionel parts as possible. We also discuss some Lionel history, Magnetraction, traction tires, and what made these early 1960s Lionel Alco diesels unique.
Did this eBay gamble pay off… or did Grampy lose all his chips?
Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know:
Have YOU ever taken a gamble on an old eBay train and won big?
And as always, thank you for watching Grampys Lionel Trains!Lionel trains, Lionel repair, Lionel train repair, Lionel 221, Lionel 221 Rio Grande, Rio Grande Alco, Lionel Alco diesel, Lionel diesel repair, Lionel E-unit repair, two position E-unit, Lionel motor repair, Lionel train restoration, vintage Lionel trains, postwar Lionel trains, Lionel collector, Lionel O gauge, O gauge trains, toy train repair, eBay gamble, not tested train, not running train, Lionel troubleshooting, Lionel commutator cleaning, Lionel armature cleaning, Lionel pickup roller cleaning, Lionel traction tire, Grampys Lionel Trains, Lionel layout, classic Lionel trains, Lionel diesel locomotive, Lionel servicing, Lionel maintenance, train restoration, vintage toy trains, Lionel Rio Grande diesel, Lionel train cleaning, BowShield T9, WD40 train restoration, Lionel electrical repair, Lionel forward reverse unit, Lionel collector repair video.
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--- GRAMPY'S WORKBENCH MUST-HAVES ---
Blue Shop Towels (The workbench essential!)
WD-40 Multi-Use Product
Loctite Fun-Tak Mounting Putty
Mineral Spirits (For cleaning parts)
KEZE Silicone Grease (Engine gear lubricant)
Boeshield T9 Rust Encapsulator & Lubricant
Lionel Premium Smoke Fluid
Lionel Grease & Oil Lubrication Kit
Labelle Lubricants Oil & Grease Kit
Dremel Buffing Wheels

Видео EBAY GAMBLE! DID I LOSE BIG? LIONEL 221 RIO GRANDE канала Grampys Lionel Trains