Dave I sent you mail but I cant tell if you got it or not. If not, I'll try again with an unlisted but obvious back up address. Just let me know, then keep an eye. You'll know it when you see it. "All yours" without worry Dave.
I would say a medium or large ho motor. Mine is an equal to my Generals of the same period in pulling, and creeps much better. In the 70s I don't think anything had a flywheel. At a fraction of the cost, a great deal imo.
Captain John replaced his motor with a Lionel motor. Catch him docked in the Marquette region and he will likely be able to tell you which one, etc.. (I knew, but lost the info to a bad device)
It wont outlast a General imo because of bushing type and permanent attachment of drivers to the axles; but I was very impressed with the operation overall and have to have about 200 hours or more on it already. No signs of disappoitment so far.
The wheels are not sprung, but at least one set of bushings does float a tiny bit vertically. I removed the fenders becuse of it. I didn't want to make them fit either, I just saw a pita that might return to haunt me later. I later read most of the similar prototypes had the fenders removed after a bit anyhow.
Would a custom frame be better? I'd sure hope so.
Would a custom frame be cheaper? Fat chance. A Lionel General likely costs less than a custom chassis alone.
