Lionel 2328 Burlington GP7 - Is This the Correct Chassis?

That's not the correct chassis.  It's a Fundimensions GP7/GP9 chassis.

OK, thanks.

Never heard of Fundimensions, looks like I have some research homework to do.

Cheers, Ken

@FortyFivePalms posted:

Never heard of Fundimensions...

This chassis started with these two models.

The motor, 8030-100, continued for several years from MPC into Fundimensions production.

The Lionel brand and company were purchased by General Mills' in 1969 and operated under the company's toy subsidiary, Model Products Corporation, or MPC. This subsidiary was renamed “Fundimensions” in 1973. 

Folks, this is great information Thanks for the responses so far.

I did my due diligence last night and boned up on the General Mills/MPC/Fundimensions era, which has opened up another fun-dimension (lol) for me. It looks like there are differing opinions about the products produced during this period, but that's a discussion for another time.

I found - and purchased - a copy of the Greenburg 1970-78 repair manual (never can have too many books!), but can anyone point me to other online resources for this era? I'm mainly interested in tech documentation, i.e. exploded parts diagrams and wiring schematics.

I suspect that my GP7 isn't just a swapped-chassis model, I think it's a full-blown MPC/Fundimensions version of the 2328 that needs some TLC.  And that's OK, it's really nice (especially the handrails) and fulfills my requirement. (There's a childhood story behind that which I will share down the road,) That being said, is this still considered a Lionel #2328, or is there some change in the numbering convention that marks the distinction?

Thanks again for the assistance and support!

MPC did make a reissue of that engine.

That style of handrail was only found on early Fundimensions products up until 1975 or 76.

Any diesel in that era would have a cab number in the 8000s. It would not have been 2328.

I can't find any indication that it was re-issued in that time frame. Also, I can't find any GP7 of that railing type that had a red frame.

Your second photo seems to show that the original black frame was repainted red with a masked-off square by the motor cut-out for better electrical contact.

I'd say you have an early 1970s GP frame and motor chassis with a repainted frame and a postwar shell if its cab number is 2328.

That engine was not re-issued by Lionel until the Conventional Classics line was introduced.

Jim

@Jim Policastro posted:

That style of handrail was only found on early Fundimensions products up until 1975 or 76.

Any diesel in that era would have a cab number in the 8000s. It would not have been 2328.

I can't find any indication that it was re-issued in that time frame. Also, I can't find any GP7 of that railing type that had a red frame.

Your second photo seems to show that the original black frame was repainted red with a masked-off square by the motor cut-out for better electrical contact.

I'd say you have an early 1970s GP frame and motor chassis with a repainted frame and a postwar shell if its cab number is 2328.

That engine was not re-issued by Lionel until the Conventional Classics line was introduced.

Jim

Hello Jim,

I think your observations are spot on. It would appear that someone kitbashed the thin wire railing to the prewar 2328 shell (and actually did a pretty nice job). However, the red re-paint on the frame...not so good. It is flaking off everywhere, so next up is to decide how to deal with that.

I wonder how the 2328 would look with a black frame? The red paint is adhering so poorly I may be able to remove all of it without damaging the surface below. Decisions, decisions...

So here's the backstory I alluded to in an earlier post...

When I was but a wee lad we had American Flyer S-gauge trains that we would only set up during Christmas season. Not around the tree, but downstairs on our ping-pong table (remember those?). Although in later years we would migrate to HO gauge, the AF trains were what nurtured my love for model railroading. We had a lot of rolling stock and track, but we only had two locomotives - a steam locomotive of unknown lineage, and a GP7 diesel engine. The steam engine belonged to my older brother, and the Geep was mine. I remember it was a silver-ish color with black rails and "American Flyer" livery. Every good memory I have about model railroading (and trains in general) is rooted in that switcher.

Fast forward to the present...after spending many hours tinkering and enjoying the satisfaction of bringing all of these parts back to life, I wanted to see if I could find a GP7 similar to the one that sparked my interest, and after some research I zeroed in on the 2328, as the Burlington livery seemed to best replicate my old S-gauge Geep. Found this one online that was advertised as needing some repair (perfect!), and bought it.

Long story short, changing the frame back to black will make it more closely resemble the AF GP7 I had as a kid, so I think that's what I'll do.

Ken,

Although we were an all-Lionel family, I secretly always liked that silver AF GP7 diesel, as well as the Union Pacific version.

Every Christmas in the 1950s, we would always visit the Gilbert Hall of Science after seeing the Lionel showroom on 26th St. in New York City. The AF layout with its 2 rail track always had a special attraction for me.

I think that's why I too ended up in HO for many years before re-discovering Lionel.

I think a black-framed Burlington would be a great substitute for that AF GP7.

Good luck with your project.

Jim

Someone had a 2328 Burlington with a damaged frame and swapped out the frame. . .

Something that has been done a long as Lionel has made Geeps.  I did the same thing in reverse with a CN 8031 GP7.  Nice body but seized and rusty mechanism.  Replaced it with an LTI mechanism with the two piece motor.

@cbq9911a posted:

Someone had a 2328 Burlington with a damaged frame and swapped out the frame. . .

And the motor, and the unpowered truck, and deleted the horn.

@ADCX Rob posted:

And the motor, and the unpowered truck, and deleted the horn.

Did the 8030/8031 have a horn? If so I may want to get one before I slap it back together. But otherwise the lack of a horn doesn't really bother me...