Here’s something that’s really been needed the world of Postwar Lionel trains. They appear to be electrical references which no repair shop, or serious hobbyist, should be without.

The first volume was published in 2002, and is dedicated to the trouble-shooting and repair of Lionel Motors. It was entitled J.L. Cowen’s Postwar Lionel Trains, O-Gauge Reference Manual I, Steamers, Diesels and Electrics. Every known motor, armature, field, reverse unit, and relay used by Lionel in these units was documented to excruciating detail. The bulk of the manual is dedicated to helping you identify and measure these items. The manual also explains how to use a meter to take those measurements.

Here it is, 2003, and the author has just followed up with a second volume. This one deals with Motorized Units, Rolling Stock and Accessories and it includes Postwar whistles and remote control track coils. This manual contains the same heavy, level of detail as the first volume, and includes information which previously was available to very few people in the hobby. The troubleshooting section in this manual gives an overview of commonmechanical deficiencies which could lead you to believe a motor is just worn out, and which can eventually destroy a motor. This section will also give you an idea of how to fix some things that "were never meant to be fixed" (such as fields that are rivetted to sideframes or motor housings). You'll also be interested in what the author has to say about old brushes, brush springs and pickup rollers, all of which is obviously the result of hard-won experience working on these units.

Folks, it’s time to put your grease gun down, and pick-up your ohmmeter. Welcome to the 21st century, and to a set of full-color, highly detailed manuals. For those of you who thought electrical trouble-shooting was the exclusive realm of gurus or magicians, think again! It’s all here in this 2 volume set, and the author seems to be making the case that anyone can do it. And he’s backing this belief with an offer of web-based contact and support to all manual owners.

These aren’t just "rewinding" manuals. They appear to be very valuable identification and troubleshooting manuals. How often have you done a continuity check, and then wondered if the reading was correct? How often have you trusted that continuity indication, only to have your loco die after a few minutes on the track? Or worse, start smoking from all the wrong places?
Sound familiar? Well, both manuals seem to have just the information you will need to do effective component level electrical troubleshooting.

For those of you who have junk drawers full of old armatures and motors, now is your chance not only to sort them all out and tag them, but to check if they’re any good. And if you live in an area where your local train show still has boxes of unidentified armatures for sale ... welcome to heaven! These manuals will help you make short work of the largest pretzel-jar or box full of armatures you can find.

The really good news about the manuals is that the author had rigidly adhered to the part numbers used by Lionel. This makes the manuals 100% compatible with Greenberg and K-Line Service Station/Factory manual publications, as well as the parts lists of most parts suppliers. Speaking of which, the manuals also have a list of major suppliers known for their fine service and quality parts.

These manuals are available at selected hobby shops and mail-order houses in the US and Canada. If your local hobby shop or your favorite mail order house doesn’t carry them, you can order them directly from the author/publisher. The price from the author for each is $29.95 plus $4.00 insured priority mail postage (one fixed postage for one or both manuals). You can read up on these manuals on the web at http://www.trainrefs.com, or contact the author: Bob Hannon, 11513 Crows Nest Rd, Clarksville, MD 21029; Tel: 410-531-3244; e-mail: support@trainrefs.com, for
ordering information and contact information on a hobby outlet or mail order house which carries the manuals.