A blazin’ hot Lionel E-unit

Recently I had something occur that I haven’t experienced in the 40 years I’ve been collecting and repairing trains.

When I have a sticky E-unit, I usually spray an electronics cleaner on it to loosen it without dismantling the locomotive. While cleaning a Lionel no. 2026 steam locomotive, I sprayed the E-unit and promptly placed the locomotive on my test track.

I powered it up and watched in horror as flames billowed up all around the die-cast metal shell!

The flames lasted just a moment and, fortunately, no curtains or paper goods were near my test track. Surprisingly, the locomotive wasn’t damaged. Even better, the E-unit worked like new.

I probably won’t use this exact method for a sticky E-unit in the future, and caution others to be certain the electronics cleaner has completely evaporated prior to applying power.– Gary Metelak, Santa Paula, Calif.