Lionel Electric Trains Identification Guide Sub-Title Bottom of Page

This Identification Guide for Lionel Electric Trains covers the "Post-war Era" only from 1945 until 1969.

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Lubricant No. 926 LIONEL TRAINS LUBRICANT No. 926

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Lubricant No. 926This smaller ½ ounce tube of lubricant dates back to 1934 when it was included with every new locomotive that Lionel produced and was first introduced in the in the larger two ounce size and given the No. 925. Produced throughout the entire post war period this smaller tube was only shown in the 1955 and 1956 catalogs.
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Only on the back of the pre-war version of this tube, besides exclaiming the virtues of this grease, is the imprint:
"U O MFG, CO PATENT 1,902,635."
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Many variations occurred during the years this grease was produced concerning the cap and printing design which have not been documented due to interchangeability of the caps. There are four known variations:
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Variation A: As shown to the right with a blank WHITE back.
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Variation B: Same as Variation A but included an advertisement on the back side for Lubriplate.
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Variation C: A WHITE tube with BLUE text. To open this tube scissors are required to cut the tip off the end. Once the tube is opened it is good for only one application. These small ½ ounce tubes were included in sets and individual locomotives. It is somewhat harder to find these tubes in their own envelope or packaged with other items in a bigger envelope. Customers usually used this tube once and then it was thrown away.

Front View of the ½ Tube of Lubricant

Variation D: By the 1960’s small capsules were included in sets and individual locomotives. It is difficult to find these capsules in their own envelope, or included with other items in a bigger envelope. This lubricant was packaged between clear cellophane and craft paper similar to what is shown on the No. 927-90 Lubricating Oil page. It was intended for a one-time use. As a result the survival rate of this variation is miniscule.

No. 926-20 Envelope

Lionel produced only one train set in 1945 after WWII ended. The envelope illustrated to the left was included in this set. We know that this is the first post war reference to the No. 926 because of the inscription at the bottom of the LUBRICANT LEAFLET No. 926-3-IODEX-11-45 indicating that this sheet was printed in November of 1945. This sheet is shown BELOW.
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There were other instruction sheets concerning this lubricant that were issued. After the sheet that was issued in 1945 concerning this lubricant Lionel would use the No. 926 as the number for their instruction booklets. For example, the No. 926-51 denoted an instruction booklet from 1951. Whereas, the lubricant’s changed to

No. 926-26—2-51—TT and showed the No. 925 two once tube that is illustrated BELOW.
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Included also in the first post war set as shown on the envelope was an UTC Track Lockon that was the precursor to the common CTC Lockon that was used for most this period of Lionel’s history.

Note: We strongly urge you not to use this Lubricant in either the two ounce No. 925-1, or this smaller ½ ounce tube No. 926-2 on your Lionel equipment. This grease becomes solid with heat and age and interferes with the proper running of Lionel engines.
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We recommend the fine products made by Labelle.


No. 926-3 Lubricant Leaflet
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