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The thread on Lionel sets took an interesting turn when some unkind remarks were made about MPC era products. MPC fans stepped up to the plate to not only defend the era, but post some great pictures.

So lets start of regular thread to showcase your MPC finest.

In 1973 MPC issues it's first passenger cars, dubbed the 9500 series, or "baby madisons", they offered a great affordable car that included an observation car, something never offered with the old Irvington cars.

In 1975 the handsome B & O cars were issued.





Unlike the PW era, where costs were cut as time went on, MPC did the opoosite, by starting basic and then improving as they went along. By 1980 the 9500 cars were upgraded with 6 wheel metal trucks and operating couplers.





Most larger MPC steam engines were re-issues of PW engines, but MPC started to add extras like painted boilers. The 8603 was from 1976, and many run fine,
some of the early releases suffered wheel wobble, none of mine do.





Let's see your MPC !
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nice pics of the cars and your layout ken.i only have a few diesels from the mpc era.i dont have any passenger cars from the mpc era at all.

will have to go on the bay and search for the cars you mentioned.i just wonder if the mpc era passenger cars only had one roller or was their one on each truck?

thop.....
After having been bitten by the 'scale bug' a couple of years ago, we've off-loaded most of our earlier traditional sized motive power except for a few select pieces.
Here is one - the MPC PRR F3s that are a very nice shade of Maroon rather than the 'Hershey' brown of several other Tuscan engines we have. The Lionel JLC GG1 on the left is a striking example of a 'brown' engine.
The F3s are pulling a set of Williams striped 18" cars.
quote:
The thread on Lionel sets took an interesting turn when some unkind remarks were made about MPC era products. MPC fans stepped up to the plate to not only defend the era, but post some great pictures.



Hate to say this but in time you'll find "unkind remarks" in just about every thread posted.
I'd rather it be kept all on one thread. Why limit it?
Anything and everything made in America in Chesterfield Mi. between 1970-2001 is from the same bygone era, one happy memory.
Don't recall if I posted this in the other thread but here's a shot of my favorite small powered unit..
Joe

My favorite set of MPC cars now I just need to find the correct engine Cool

The MPC era was one of my favorite eras because there were so many cool starter sets like this one. They were always so colorful and sharp looking. Also they are always reliable. I have found that dans drumheads makes good LED bulbs for MPC engines and cars.
The MPC era has gotten a bad rap. They made some nice stuff along the way and kept the company alive when few thought toy train would survive.

Kudos to the Lionel employees -- from executive suite to shop floor -- who did such a fine job with limited resources over those many years (1970-1986)! It is due to their hard work and perseverance that we can enjoy the hobby as we do today.
SO LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!! Let's rebuild our manufacturing machine like it was before our corporate heads got 'GREEDY" for financial personel gain and darn near destroyed our country ! With current trends in China (read another Chineese factory closing/ layoffs in the thousands) changing and costs rising; it is a good time to now return to the U.S.of A. and set up shop here. We still have a great source of skilled labor in both management and worker that have the skills that it takes to get this show on the road. Government can participate by granting reprieves for a short time, to some of the strick laws that hinder development of business in this country. We can regain the edge with the skilled workforce, both old and young, and put people back to work and improve the econony and the GNP.

I don't want to hear that it can't be done ! It was said that you would fall off the edge of the earth if you sailed too far West; that man could not go too fast without his body suffering for it; that man could never fly; that we could not go to the moon and back ! And yet we have done these things, and more!!! We just need to get off our duffs and as the expression goes: "JUST DO IT"!!!!
Dennis M.
quote:
Originally posted by OKHIKER:
Christopher 2035,
That is some roster of MPC Production. Great Collection. I have one question. One of your photos is of a Canandian Pacific Set of FA Alcos which came out circa 1974. I was wondering how well does this engine run? Any response will be appreciated.


The Alcos in the picture are the uncataloged ones from 1970. They were made for Canada only. They run pretty well. Lionel came out with cataloged versions in 1975 I think. Those had EMD trucks, like the SP set that was made around the same time & I think a position E unit

These are the ones I have -



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