How well does a Lionel 6-8551 run on O27 track, specifically curves and turnouts?
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It will work on O27 just fine—it has the same motor and pickups as the F3s made around that same time, so it doesn’t have the tracking problems that sometimes pop up with the GP7s/GP9s.
I had the JC Penney edition of this loco, and it ran fine through Lionel O27 curves and switches. Was a little anemic with only 1 Pullmor motor.
I added a second motor and power truck, many years ago. No longer anemic.
Gave it a shot of Geritol, eh, John? 
Removed original motor truck and bought a used GP magnetic motor truck with new gear assembly and it runs and pulls nice.
I was lucky enough to have one of these growing up. After a simple armature thrust play adjustment, it ran fine on O27 curves and switches- that was all we had!
@john in western pa how did you add a second motor and power truck? I always wanted to do this to mine, but there are a few challenges: The power truck that MPC used originally doesn't have a pickup roller, those are on the non-powered truck that's being removed. Also, only one side of the stamped metal frame has a keyhole-shaped cutout for the motor.
As best I can tell you would need TWO front trucks from vertical-motored F3s (which unlike postwar Geeps, rectifiers, and EP-5s have a recess for a single pickup roller arm cast into the drive block.) Then you would have to cut a new hole in the frame for the motor, or possibly splice TWO EP-5 frames together! I would really like to hear more about how you did it, or maybe see some photos.
I loved my 8551 and I hope you get lots of enjoyment from yours. Good thread!
Hello Ted, here we go. I purchased the first Fundimentions Little Joe in1974?, when I was young and daring. Post war parts were readily available, including F3 Magnetraction Trucks and "real" pulmor motors (which IMHO did actually pull more...pun intended).
Back then I most likely used a Greeley Circular Punch/cutter, which was intended for making vacuum tube Socket holes when I "home brewed" amateur radio equipment; a "nibbling tool" which quite literally "nibbled" bits of the the frame as necessary and several metal working files, finger cuts and some blood did the trick. [I also had a pet dinosaur.]
Without those tools, I would suggest drilling a number of smallish holes, drilled in a circular pattern with a cutout for the "hickey" on the base of the motor. A hammer, several metal files and a small metal chisel will finish the job. [A modern Dremel Tool may also be the appropriate weapon! I wish they were around back then.]
Warning, if you cut to much or in the wrong places you will need to fabricate a replacement portion if tour Little Joe's frame. [I've been there and done that, building Amateur radio equipment, in my youth!] Ham Radio and electric trains have been a big part of my life.
The project is well worth the effort required... happy building!
I forgot to include Making a pattern from the motor end of your frame so you can duplicate the location and shape of the motor hole which you will create.
