Join Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as they share essential tips for restoring a vintage toy train. They address a viewer’s request for help with his father’s old Ives train set, which is in poor condition with bent metal, rust, and poor paint. Their discussion covers key restoration considerations, including how to determine if the train has value before you begin the effort. Cody and Rene offer advice on straightening bent sheet metal using pliers, filling dimples with solder, and removing rust with naval jelly. They also discuss replicating decals and lithographs, options for finding new parts, and repainting the vintage toy trains.
Tips for restoring a vintage toy train
By Kent Johnson | September 30, 2025
Rene and Cody consider how, or even if, bringing a relic back to glory is worth the effort
