Lionel PW Alcos 2012, Ribs...yay or nay?

did you contact Lionel?   This is what bugs me about using mock ups for the catalogs. I understand it's a necessary evil, but it causes confusion.  I'd be interested to find out the answer too!

Sounds like a good topic to broach with some Lionel folks at York.

I assume the ribs should not be on the Navy Alco AB units also???

Were the ribs an issue on the LCCA and CC Alcos???

Thx

Joe S  

When I obtained the 1994 version of the UP Alco with the diecast frame (18119) I was somewhat disappointed that the lettering was so far off. On that model, the lettering seems smaller and shorter. It did not occur to me that this might have been a result of those ribs on the bottom.

IMHO, the only chance of getting an answer from Lionel would be for a major dealer to ask.

here's a pic of the cc ALCOs  - they have the ribs - 

Ribs or no ribs, I preordered the UP Anniversary Set last week!

“will Lionel see fit to remove

the stupid ribs off the bottom of the body shells.”

I am interested in this set as well, but I don't understand what "ribs" are being discussed here. Can someone post a picture of or a better description for those of us that don't follow?

I can say, I am not fond of the PW "hump" on top. To me it looks like heat damage. I realize this is a different problem from what is being asked here.

Charlie

The ribs run along the bottom edge of the shell - if memory serves, they were added to aid in aligning and applying lettering/decoration in a consistent manner.  

I knew they added ribs to the base of the F-3 for painting the MPC-Era Santa Fe's, but hadn't looked at the ALCo FA's since then.

Jon 

This link to Ebay shows what I was referring to - the 3 ridges run along the full length of the shell like the MPC SF F unit mentioned:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel-NOS-6-18937-Non-powered-Amtrack-FA-2-Alco-/330540723884?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4cf5c32eac

These MPC NH F units have the ridges running along the side as well:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL-6-8851-New-Haven-F-3-AA-Dual-Motored-Diesel-Dummy-Set-C-10-/260915358389?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cbfc46ab5

I'm pretty sure the stamped frame Alcos and cast frame Alcos will use different molds.

Rusty

Yep - the diecast frame Alco FA shell mounts to the chassis differently than the cheapened later style FA with the stamped, sheet metal frame.  if you look closely at the new catalog, the Marine and Navy Alco's are the sheet metal type, and they have the ridges running along the side of the shell.  The pix of the UP and RI don't show ridges.  It would be nice if Lionel would get rid of the shell ridges - they should only be on the pilot area.

Those side ribs gotta go...big time!  They were NEVER on any PW Alco, and

shouldn't be there today.  It's just a sad part of the MPC era heritage.

you can see the ridges here - 

but not on the PW ones - 

The diecast frame Alcos from 1993 (Erie) and 1994 (Union Pacific) have the ribs.

As was already posted, none of the original postwar Alcos have them.

The hump was a warp caused when the shell was cooling after it left the mold.  Lionel changed the mold slightly (the small "disk" that's visible on the roof) to correct the problem.  The disk is visible on the A units in Christopher20's pictures above.

Rusty

OK, thanks guys. Now I see what you’re talking about. I have added a picture of my 1994 UP Alco, (which I really like except for the lack of current control electronics). For those that may still not understand about the "ribs" it might better be described as "fluting". In this case, the words "Union Pacific" are just above the "ribs or fluting" and are not present in the PW versions.

 I'm not sure I have a problem with the "ribs" now that I understand what is being talked about here. I guess it adds a bit more detail to a pretty plain loco in my eyes, I could like them either way I suppose.

If these issues run as well as the 1994 versions do, than I will be picking up a Rock Island set. From my limited comparison to another set that I have run side by side, the 1994 version is a better runner (smoother) and puller (maybe better Magna-Traction) My 1994 version has pulled the original 1994 set plus an additional three cars around the Midwest Division layout with no problems. And the track is Gargraves so limited to no additional pulling power with Magna-Traction.

Charlie

Many of you are "Too Young" to remember the reason that the  "ribs - flutes - separation lines" were put there in the first place.  You will also recall that the  F-3 also had the ribs put in for a similar reason. A big fururor came about this when Lionel began the PWC Series and did the W.P. F-3's with the ribs (etc.) so that they had to redo the W.P. shells and exchange them for those who wanted a more correct version.

 The reason:  was to better separate the colors for the Santa Fe warbonnet paint scheme that MPC brought back.  If you recheck the F-3 series, there are no ribs before that road name/scheme was done. After the S.F. Warbonnet, all the f-3's had the ribs, and  the early alcos that MPC also  did.

  One can look at the QuickSilver paint scheme on the low end alco and see the ribs. As these were not highly collectable, no one cared too much about it on the low end alco;  But  a Post War Celebration Series - that's "a horse of a different color". The ribs do make printing letters and logos more difficult, but smaller, more elongated lettering can give a forced perspective of length to the units too, due to their  shorter /smaller size.

  Hope this helps you understand the why of the ribs, and what might be involved in changing it back.   Dennis M.