I was weak while at York in April.

I picked up the Wabash Fallen Flags passenger set MOB which I was looking for.   I also picked up a new 783 Grey Hudson, the Conrail Electric, and a BN diesel.

Also got a  J L Cowen set.  I need the sprung trucks off the cars.  Probably get the engine repainted since it has a die-cast tender.

Hi all, great MPC pictures.  Here is one I posted on "Front End Friday" but thought I would post it here as well.  This is the MPC engine that (may have) been part of the start of entire electronic era.  In 1973 it hosted the "electronic sound of steam" and headed the "Blue Streak" freight set.  This engine is of the "Columbia" type and Lionel (MPC) used this type engine in various color schemes and numbers in numerous offerings.  It proved to be a reliable runner with a light load at modest power, especially since MPC did NOT revive the troublesome "Scout" motor but instead gave this Columbia a good solid spur gear motor. Anyway here is the Lionel (MPC) #8303  Jersey Central 2-4-2 Columbia locomotive.

Best wishes all

Don

@Don Winslow posted:

Speaking of MPC, does anybody else enjoy collecting these "Mint" cars? Here's MPC's "Denver Mint" version - lots of fun and comments from visitors!

I do Don, here are most of mine:

John - I'm humbled. Your beautiful collection dwarfs mine - really nice!

I'm also fond of MPC's steam power. Here's one of their earliest offerings - still a great runner...

Two more MPC additions that I picked up at the EDTCA York meet.

Cheers to us for keeping Lionel in business.

https://youtu.be/vuNPW8rocAQ

Here are some of my latest mpc pickups found at an estate sale. Hade to get the two reefer cars just because it stated “mpc” on the side even though it is not prototypical. The bumper sticker is the best since it states made in America!

DL - love those "Toy Fair" boxcars, I have a few but not the ones you showed.  I think they are cool!

Best Wishes

Don

An MPC era observation car brings up the rear of today's "Limited"...

@Mike McCutcheon posted:

Two more MPC additions that I picked up at the EDTCA York meet.

That Gold Metal Flour was one of the first cars I bought when I got into O gauge years ago , so it's a keeper for me. Alway liked the slogan: "Eventually Gold Metal Flour....Why Not Now?" Plus grew up in the Minneapolis area, the home base of Gold Metal, so there's the sentimental thing.

https://www.goldmedalflour.com/our-story/

(To the right is the famous arch bridge across the Mississippi seen in many photos and posters of Great Northern and CNW passenger trains - now a hike & bike path.)

Picked up these two beauties recently.

Old Josh Cowen may have targeted kids with toys, but, under MPC, his namesake company began taking note of adult collectors at least 49 years ago.  Billboard beer reefers joined the line in 1973 to be followed by stronger spirits through 1986.  The ones pictured here recently rolled out of their stored boxes and pushed some MPC boxcars off the display shelves to make room for themselves.

These are great cars Bill - colorful and light enough to make a neat long train. I have done so with my 16 liquor cars and single beer car.

After looking at your collection I see that beer cars may be on my future train show hunt list!

There were a ton of MPC's tobacco/cigarette cars at the Kutztown show yesterday - colorful but I had no desire for them - WHAT was MPC thinking?  I wonder if the tobacco companies paid them?

@Don Winslow posted:

An MPC era observation car brings up the rear of today's "Limited"...

Love it, Don. My first set of passenger cars - looked great behind my first engine, a PW 637 steamer with a Pennsy tender (still have all of them). Nice cars… horrible couplers!!!

When I started Pull out the MPC, I had no idea it would get this big.   Thank you everyone who put pictures of your trains here for us to enjoy.   

Harold

@HSD68 posted:

When I started Pull out the MPC, I had no idea it would get this big.   Thank you everyone who put pictures of your trains here for us to enjoy.   

Harold

Glad you did. Brings back fond memories. Thanks.

Picked this up a couple weeks ago, the Bicentennial U36B. Was still new in the box, I lubed the gears and axle bearings, and adjusted the armature set-screw.  Runs great, buzzing E-unit and all lol.

@mlavender480 posted:

  Runs great, buzzing E-unit and all lol.

Thats a nice looking engine.  It is staggering how much new/mint MPC is routinely available.

For me that is one of the perks of running trains.  The buzz of the e-unit, the smell of smoke pellets, the clickity clack of the tubular joints and lobster claw couplers.

If I wanted quiet I would go to the library.

Nice engine Mike!  I have a soft spot for this engine as my first HO train set as a kid was Bachmann’s version.  I put together a video as I was able to recreate the set in Lionel 3 rail.  Enjoy your purchase!

@aussteve posted:

For me that is one of the perks of running trains.  The buzz of the e-unit, the smell of smoke pellets, the clickity clack of the tubular joints and lobster claw couplers.

If I wanted quiet I would go to the library.

aussteve,

If I could give your comment above 10 likes, I would. Throw in a whiff of ozone and the growl of double open frame motors in PW F3's for good measure.

Exactly how I feel.

@rjsmithindy posted:

Nice engine Mike!  I have a soft spot for this engine as my first HO train set as a kid was Bachmann’s version.  I put together a video as I was able to recreate the set in Lionel 3 rail.  Enjoy your purchase!

Thanks! It’s a neat engine.  I’m impressed with how well it runs too.  I had a Chessie GP20 a few years ago and sold it along with some other stuff; I wish I hadn’t.  It was a good runner as well.  MPC gets knocked a lot and I know they had some turds, but then who hasn’t?  Plenty of good looking and nice running products from that era.

I’ll have to get photos of the rest of my MPC stuff soon.

Finally!  My Father's Day present arrived:  the last MPC T&P car I needed:  the bright yellow 9463.

This means that my MPC MoPac/T&P train is complete:

Three locos is a lot of power for a relatively short train, but those beefs in the stockcar need to make it to the yard before the crew violates the 28-hour-rule!  Highball!

Love those blue GP's.

Hi, I have seen this topic on the sidebar, but never opened it.  I started out in HO in the late '60s and didn't switch to O gauge until 10 years ago.  I bought a lot of used, but newer scale engines and cars.  As time passed and I rolled into retirement, I started selling some of my scale engines and cars.  I am starting to envision the day when I can't handle detailed engines without breaking details, or want to have less money in trains.  If that happens, I'll be in the market for some MPC trains.  So while they didn't appeal to me 10 years ago, I'll tag along here to see what everyone has.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Hi, I have seen this topic on the sidebar, but never opened it.  I started out in HO in the late '60s and didn't switch to O gauge until 10 years ago.  I bought a lot of used, but newer scale engines and cars.  As time passed and I rolled into retirement, I started selling some of my scale engines and cars.  I am starting to envision the day when I can't handle detailed engines without breaking details, or want to have less money in trains.  If that happens, I'll be in the market for some MPC trains.  So while they didn't appeal to me 10 years ago, I'll tag along here to see what everyone has.

Mark they are great products and run great you should think about picking up a piece or two. The rolling stock is super nice and rolls real smooth currently MPC rolling stock is 90% of what is currently on the layout with the exception of passenger cars.

@RJT posted:

Mark they are great products and run great you should think about picking up a piece or two. The rolling stock is super nice and rolls real smooth currently MPC rolling stock is 90% of what is currently on the layout with the exception of passenger cars.

Thank you Rick for the reply!  Yes, with my fingers aching and the cost of everything going up, I think you are right I should pick up a piece or two, or three, or four, or......

@franktrain

Very nice Illinois Central collection ....

I just bought a rough looking  Train Master shell .... itll be repainted into Illinois Central black/green diamond scheme ..

Just need to find a chasis for her ...

@Rich Wiemann posted:

Let’s not forget about these…..The Trainmaster’s

Beauties and Beasts , all in one ..

While repainting the basement recently I commandeered a wall in our game room to show off some of my favorites.  

Two classics, the Bicentennial set (still need to pick up the engine) and the Mickey Mouse Express:

MPC Diesels?   Yeah I like ‘em:

Well I don't have any trains today, but I thought that MPC fans might enjoy this little trinket I picked up at the TCA convention...yes for FREE (and worth every nickel )  Enjoy.

Best Wishes

Don

I really liked the MPC Era, however have very few MPC products, however I do have one, the Preamble diesel, new, on the shelf, ran lightly, it’s conventional. Great thread, beautiful pictures. Happy Railroading Everyone

Got home from work this afternoon and decided to do some work on my Mpc 1776. Took the shell off and moved a wire that had not been tucked in properly the last time l had worked on it. Dusted it off need to replace a missing screw on the front. Might paint the screws that hold the shell on white to blend them into the shell than be black. I know its not how it came but thought about it while cleaning it.

An MPC Hudson leaves the yard limits with a heavy manifest under the watchful eye of the Yardmaster.

@Tommy_F posted:

While repainting the basement recently I commandeered a wall in our game room to show off some of my favorites.  

Amazing collection, Tommy!!! In the 70’, in the heyday of MPC, I was living in Brooklyn off Ave. M when Trainworld opened next to the Ave. M subway station. My best memory of that store (they have since moved over to Macdonald Ave.) was walls of shelves like yours, almost up to the ceiling, full of colorful MPC trains… who needed a catalog!!! Trainworld was the first store I knew of who did set breakups. Being in college at the time, I usually couldn’t afford the complete sets, but I could usually pick up an interesting car - like the FARR series… I purchased one car from each set except for the passenger set. As Bob Hope said, “thanks for the memories”!!!

Well MPC fans I have something today that I hope will interest you.  I had been generously given along with some other trains my brother in law's boyhood Lionel's.  Included in that group was the # 2559 Baltimore and Ohio (unpowered) RDC.  He told me he used to pretend it was the dining car on his passenger train.  Well I recently was able to acquire, for a very modest price, an MPC Baltimore and Ohio RDC the # 8764 and I decided to put them together.  So here is MPC helping out a classic Lionel around the layout.

Here is an interesting fact, the #2559 is from 1957 and the MPC # 8764 is from 20 years later, 1977.  Here they are together.  Candidly except for minor variations in the lettering and of course the number, I could not detect any change at all in the basic casting of the car or its construction including the "people" strip on the windows.  

Here is a little video, showing them moving about my layout.

Hope you enjoyed this MPC excursion from more traditional locomotive + cars type trains.

Best wishes

Don

Wow, Don!  I can't tell the difference!!

I got this CP Vulcan Switcher earlier this week for $60 at one of those consignment collectible stores. It was the best price I've ever seen for this one, and it appears to be in like-new condition too.

This thread seems to have gone rather quiet lately, so perhaps I may be permitted add a small offering:  Last May I posted some photos of my MPC beer and "favorite spirits" reefers. At the time--and for the preceding four decades--I thought I had the complete MPC series, so you may imagine my distress at just now discovering that I was missing the first four spirits reefers.  Oh, the horror!  Fortuitously, I found an on-line auction seller offering two of them at quite rational prices, mainly because the boxes were, as she put it, "rough."  (I'd have described the boxes as catastrophically mauled, but the cars themselves appeared to be in like new condition.)  Her prices being really too good to pass up, I cringed a bit over the boxes but made the purchase, and now, nearly 40 years after they were made, the Cutty Sark and Dewar's reefers have new homes in the train room.  Oh yes, there is one downside.  Since the display shelves were already absolutely packed, a few MPC boxcars had to be given their marching orders and are hoping to find other train rooms with more track and display space, but c'est la guerre.

Bill - which 2 are you still missing?

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Bill - which 2 are you still missing?

9828 J&B and 9830 Johnnie Walker Red.  There are several on eBay but at much higher prices that I can afford.  (There is a 9830 at a reasonable price but it's listed by a well-known reseller from whom I have bought before, only to receive two out of three cars broken or otherwise not as described so that's a seller I'll not deal with any longer.)

Saw that this thread is going again and it started with reefers.  Just pulled out some reefers this weekend to put out on display for a while.

Here are a couple

Harold

Well Harold and Bill - thanks for opening up this thread again with some refr's.  Thought I might contribute with 2 of mine.

Here is the Lionel MPC # 9854 Baby Ruth refr from 1972 (uncatalogued) and then 1973-1976

Here is the Lionel 9858 "Butterfinger" refr from 1974-1976

Best wishes

Don

I had actually written off MPC a couple years ago when I got back in the hobby. What a mistake. So many awesome, well built trains that were\are really underrated. Here's some of my reefers. The dutch cleanser is special to me. My dad had that one in ho when I was a young lad.

Just got home from work and saw more reefers so here are a few more.  The MRBX is a Franks repaint.

Harold

You folks can show all the MPC you want. I just love looking at it.

Ask and you shall receive @jim sutter! My Santa Fe geeps! 

I've been downsizing. This meant I had to cut down on my MPC stuff. But, it was quality stuff at good prices. I am keeping a few pieces I really love. I will never understand the disdain for that era of Lionel. Early stuff might be a little rough but it was no worse than the late era Postwar that Lionel was pumping out. The late era MPC also helped set the stage for the early era of the newly independent Lionel. So many folks go on about how great the Kughn era was. I won't say it wasn't but it really owes much to what came before it. In my opinion the 80's and 90's both represent a golden era for conventional controlled traditional sized trains before the big Scale push sidelined most of that.

Thank you Donnie Kennedy. That's a nice set of Santa Fe diesels. I believe they were made in 1972. They have wire hand rails and probably the old hollow rollers. MPC would soon change them to stamped hand rails and solid rollers. I also love seeing your Baltimore and Ohio F-3's.

You SHOULD love seeing them, Jimmy! Lord knows I bought a bunch of them from you! (and glad I did!)

BMiller, Where has the time gone. Back in 1981 when Peggy and I opened our store we were all MPC. We always tried to have a nice selection for people to pick from.

@jim sutter The geep is from 72! My dad had one just like it. Lots of great memories, that's why I got this one! I added lights to the dummy unit. I really like the B&O F3. I did put a postwar magnatraction power truck on it though. Kinda cheating. Lol.

@RamblerDon- I really enjoy your YouTube reviews of the mpc sets you have. Amongst the other videos! Thank you for those. I find myself having to pace myself on the mpc purchases. Lots to have at great prices. Mpc era is no different than any other era Lionel produced. Prewar, postwar, LTI all had their great products. But they also had some clunkers as well. I can't really comment on LLC era. I only run conventional engines.

A while back I found some pictures of a layout my dad built when I was a kid.  The photo album was dated January 1980.  Here are a few of the pics:

Now here are those same engines and cars in 2023.  Other than the Chessie U-Boat losing a piece of its number they’re all looking pretty good 43 years later.  That GG-1 has some miles on it:

This hobby has a way of sticking with someone for a looooonnng time. . .

Tommy F, Thank you for sharing your pictures. I loved everyone.

TF….magic! Thank you for sharing these!!!! 👍😎

Honestly, MPC is not my favorite era or equipment. However, I have some MPC beer reefers that are pretty nice; the graphics are good, but I wish the train cars had metal, instead of plastic, trucks and couplers. I do appreciate the reasonable prices of MPC trains.

Here's my son at the controls of Lionel's Mi-Jack crane. As you can see, MPC products are well represented on our multi-generational layout, including the B&O F units which are still great runners.

Don, is that green bay window caboose #9174?

I have very few pictures of my MPC layout.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Honestly, MPC is not my favorite era or equipment. However, I have some MPC beer reefers that are pretty nice; the graphics are good, but I wish the train cars had metal, instead of plastic, trucks and couplers. I do appreciate the reasonable prices of MPC trains.

Arnold,

Those plastic trucks and couplers are annoying but can be replaced with metal versions. I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying some really nice equipment with bargain prices.

@Donnie Kennedy

I think everyone has good and bad products. I try not to get hung up on the brand. I have Joy Line, Marx, K Line, Lionel, MTH and so much more from all eras. That isn't even getting into my Flyer stuff or the other scales I like.

I did recently for the 1st time preorder new product from Lionel. I'm very stubborn about sticking with conventional but I'm trying to ease myself into the current times. I've dabbled a bit into DCS and Lionchief and had no issues at all. I say give the new stuff a little try. Some of those silly features are kind of fun!

I will always love tinplate and the occasional wind up train but I can appreciate efforts to make bells swing and whistles smoke on a train fancier than my daily driver.

No matter what you collect just run it. They are toys after all, not dust collectors for shelves!

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

I had actually written off MPC a couple years ago when I got back in the hobby. What a mistake. So many awesome, well built trains that were\are really underrated. Here's some of my reefers. The dutch cleanser is special to me. My dad had that one in ho when I was a young lad.

The Santa Fe FM looks great.  I picked one up at York in Oct 22. 

@RamblerDon- completely agree. I've had Williams, K-line, Marx (super fun stuff), and MTH. Even dabbled with some PS1 and PS2 engines with the z4000. Really fun, good quality products! I just get drawn back to the old school stuff I can fix and enjoy working on. Probably just the memories they bring back as well! Whatever it is you have, enjoy running it and have fun!

MPC kept the hobby alive.  In those days most of us couldn't afford post war collectables or were afraid to run them too much if we had any. The plethora of road names  and new engines opened up possibilities for a new generation.  My kids and I loved them and it led to a lifetime of O Gauge railroading for us.

Donnie, The Southern Crescent Limited engine looks great!  I have a couple of the Crescent Limited cars and a few other MPC cars.

I bought my first train back in 1968 or ‘69 just before MPC.  I didn’t have enough money for a Lionel set, so I got an HO set and stayed with HO until my eyes made seeing the smaller trains harder.  If I had started out a few years later, I may have gone with MPC.

I switched to O gauge in 2012, and started out with MTH.  I love the lights,  sounds, and speed control of those.  Nowadays, I like plane boxcar red, black or oxide red hoppers so the bright colors of a lot of MPC.  I would have been attracted to them when I was growing up.  There are scads of nice MPC engines and cars out there.

I remember the first time I saw the Southern Crescent engine at York. It must of been around 1977. I was all American Flyer at the time.  I never forgot that. Through the years we have sold many Southern Crescent sets. Basically, it as my first taste of MPC.

Donnie, yours is a bittersweet post to see. I also had the Southern Crescent and thought it one of the most beautiful of MPC locomotives. Unhappily, although she ran beautifully on tubular track, she rocked, rolled and bucked like a bronco on my layout's Atlas-O track, so I regretfully sold her.  Now her Crescent passenger cars are pulled by a Rail King Crescent that runs smoothly and has great sound but lacks the beauty of the MPC model.

I can't take all the credit on the southern crescent and Santa Fe trainmaster condition.  Bought those off a fellow forum member that took excellent care of them through the years. I feel honored that he entrusted these to me at a very excellent price! All he asked is that I cherish and enjoy them. Deal!

Although I don't believe it quite equals the beauty of the Crescent, the Chessie Steam Special is one of my wife's favorites of the MPC era (the other being the Blue Comet).   By the way, I've slightly modified the passenger cars by attaching fine wires with micro-connectors that link the lighting from car to car throughout the entire train.  The result:  absolutely no flickering lights.  Looks great running in the dark.

@Bill of the Paha Sapa Lines RR posted:

Although I don't believe it quite equals the beauty of the Crescent, the Chessie Steam Special is one of my wife's favorites of the MPC era (the other being the Blue Comet).

Beautiful set!!

Oh, the chessie steam set is an absolute favorite of mine. I have the LTI t1, but have been thinking about getting the 8003 w\ passenger cars. Absolutely a beautiful set! Enjoy.

Jim, I saw those covered hoppers at the mine on your layout and thought I would add a few more.  All of these are the class of 1976 and the top two have metal plates holding the trucks.

Harold

The Alton Limited, The Chessie Steam Special and the 611 with the Aluminum cars are the only MPC Passenger sets I am holding onto right now. Each wonderful in its own way.

Anyone in love with the lowly workhorse gondola?  I found myself really liking the paint scheme on this one, and it's the sole "traditional sized" car in an otherwise 1:48 scale freight, where it looks perfectly at home!

HSD68,

Great picture of some fantastic hoppers.

I've got that Southern Big John hopper!

Coach Joe,

Do have the complete set that your hopper came in? The name of the set was the Empire Express Set? I believe it came out in 1976.

That Santa Fe gondola came as part of the 1980 version of the Cross County Limited with the sharp looking TP&W Geep.

Harold

Do not have any gondolas out right now but have more covered hoppers...

@Bill of the Paha Sapa Lines RR - I really like my gondola. Matches perfect with the geeps!

@jim sutter posted:

Coach Joe,

Do have the complete set that your hopper came in? The name of the set was the Empire Express Set? I believe it came out in 1976.

You're right. The no. 9266 Southern Big John hopper was part of that Empire Express set. This was a very desirable set in that time (and still is a great set). Headed up by a Hudson, it included some very sought-after cars, among them (besides the Big John hopper) the no. 9772 Great Northern boxcar (a nice remake of the Postwar car) , no. 9159 Sunoco chrome tank car, and the no. 9174 "Back to the Future" green NYC bay window caboose.

I still have the 9772 and the 9266 hopper. I actually saw a real Southern Big John hopper a number of years ago in a railyard while railfanning a little. Thought it was a pretty good find. One reason I've kept the hopper.

Just for your knowledge here on the OGR Forum, while visiting one of my favorite hobby shops, The Roundhouse in Louisville Kentucky today, I saw a beautiful MPC Chessie Steam passenger train in the original box. I think it’s for sale.
I go to this store because it’s a Legacy repair store and the owners are great folks. Kevin is the owner, Tom used to be. This is a beautiful Steam train. Happy Railroading Everyone

The last of the covered hoppers that are out now.

Here are a couple that were repainted a long time ago and one that got shortened with a hacksaw!.

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

@Bill of the Paha Sapa Lines RR - I really like my gondola. Matches perfect with the geeps!

Lionel also did the no  9284 Santa Fe gondola in the MPC era, this one red and yellow. I run the two of them together.

While I have “rehomed” a number of my MPC engines/cars to fellow forumites, some I have kept on display for nostalgic reasons…

While the gray 785 was really from the early Kughn era, it is the first cousin of the MPC 783 (which is also up on that wall somewhere!!!). MPC made some wonderful stuff!!!

P.S. I have become addicted to those 15” aluminum passenger cars!!!

Here's MPC/Lionel's #6-8206 NYC Hudson from 1972 pulling a mixed consist of MPC and post war cars. Except for replacing the crumbling insulation under the sound board and the traction tire, this engine has been problem free and runs like new. This was the largest steam locomotive offered by Lionel that year and was described as "giant" in the '72 catalog.

I've also made several dummy units out of some MPC engines to run them with other engines. Lot of fun. Here's a Christmas shot of a MPC no. 8057 Burlington switcher made into a dummy, doubleheaded with and running in front of a no. 82165 LionChief Plus Burlington switcher.

I have that Empire State Express set. I bought it sight unseen and didn't know it was a mint still sealed box!

I gladly opened it and found it to be a real gem of a set. My few gripes are that it doesn't have a whistle in the tender and they didn't use 6 wheel trucks on the tender either.

Some very lucky kids got those sets back then and I hope they got to learn the love of toy trains from them.

The Big John Hopper and 9772 GN boxcars are two of my favorites.  In the past they were pricey but have come way down in recent years.  There are several MPC cars that I have multiples of. 

I like the crisp bright colors and graphics.   The lightweight trucks allow me to pull trains with 30-40 cars.

Jim, no set just Big John.  I forget if it was a train show or a Trainland milk crate under the table find.

This is such a great thread. So many pictures. So many great memories. How I loved MPC. A big thank you to everyone that has posted pictures of their MPC.

Jim - here's a close up of the MPC NYC bay window caboose from my earlier post that you commented on. I substituted a new chassis with die cast trucks due to some issues with the OEM plastic trucks.

I love these bay window cabooses - like a lot of MPC they're not exactly to scale but feature a well-executed paint scheme and "selectively compressed" features.

Don, thank you for posting a picture of your New York Central bay window caboose.

Well I thought that perhaps Jim and others might enjoy another MPC bay window caboose.  Here is the Lionel (MPC) #9271 Minneapolis and St. Louis bay window caboose from 1978-79.

Best wishes

Don

Nice caboose Don!

Here's a couple more of my MPC favorites.

Back in 1981 when we opened our store, the Minneapolis and St Louis Service Station set was very easy to find. It was also very inexpensive. I would buy them and break up the sets and sell everything individually.

We no longer have a local store here Jim, but I sure have happy memories of ours.

Why don't you move here to California and open one up?

Don, I would love to but I'm 76 years old, full of arthritis and walk with a walker.

@Don Winslow - Don, thanks for the comment on the caboose. Same to you, that Virginian really stands out.

@jim sutter - Hey Jim,  I'm with Don Winslow and would invite you open a store in Waco, Tx ...I could be your "stock boy".  I'm only 78 have the arthritis but no walker so I could still get the stuff on the shelves!  I'm willing to work for a discount on MPC!!

Best wishes everyone!  Happy Railroading

Don

OK, you guys got me started on MPC era cabooses.  I don't have anymore bay window but (like most Lionel folks) I have a bevy of SP type.  Here are some from that era:

The Chessie 8008 from 1980

The Santa Fe # 9061 from 1970-76

The CP rail #9057 from 1978-79

The Chessie N5c type from 1974-76

The Jersey Central #9069 fron 1973-74

The Sounthern #9066 from 1973-76

The NKP # 6910 from 1986-91

Well that is about it for me...I'm caboosed out!!

Don

Don, thank you for posting the pictures of your cabooses. Your Chessie porthole is my favorite.

Thanks Jim...I have been trying to build a "Chessie" freight set around my MPC # 8008 4-4-2 blue boiler steamer and Chessie System tender.  So far (in MPC) I have the SP type caboose, #9167 N5c porthole caboose, 7401 Cattle Car, #9016 Hopper and (Not MPC) the # 16232 Box Car.  Why Chessie?  Well I took our boys for 2 summers in a row, to Cincinatti, Oh to ride on the "Chessie Steam Special" - long time ago, my oldest is now 50! I never could connect with the Lionel Chessie passenger set so I thought I would at least try for a freight set.

Here was the start of the set about a year ago.

Thank you for your comment

Don

Wow fellows, this thread is growing and well deserved because General Mills kept Lionel’s name alive back late 1969/1970 ish I believe. The MPC line was colorful, and many quality trains were made. I remember when they made the 8753 GG1 which was tuscan colored and although it came with nylon gears, it was a great runner and made a lot of us Lionel followers very happy. As I said earlier in this thread, The Roundhouse Hobby shop in Louisville Kentucky has a fantastic MPC selection for your wants and needs.You can google their store up on your computers. Happy Railroading Everyone

The pictures above also remind me of the wonderment of the boxes. MPC era Lionel really came up with some great packaging.

I do like a traditional orange box but something about having a really great artistic rendering of the included car is cool.

Plus the great boxes for the high-end locomotives and sets. The logos are cool. Plus the really stylistic photos. Really stellar stuff.

@Don McErlean posted:

...I have been trying to build a "Chessie" freight set around my MPC # 8008 4-4-2 blue boiler steamer and Chessie System tender …

Don

When I read this, I remembered I had a Chessie box car or two but wasn’t sure if they were still part of my collection.  Unfortunately, when I checked my inventory spreadsheets, someone else already has them.  They were the 6-9740 yellow single door and 6-9747 blue double door box cars.  A quick search on the big auction site indicates they are available but condition varies greatly.  Just food for thought regarding a couple possible additions to your Chessie freight train.

I don't think anybody has posted a picture of an MPC GG-1 yet, so here you go, The GG-1 is our family favorite - Dad remembers the real thing and my beautiful wife thinks they're "pretty". I actually prefer the MPC GG-1 to the post war - the graphics are great and they're solid runners.

Something that took a long time for me to find. The number 1187 Service Station Set from 1971. The boxcars have different types of trucks as well has a postwar UCS track.

@Don Winslow posted:

I don't think anybody has posted a picture of an MPC GG-1 yet, so here you go, The GG-1 is our family favorite - Dad remembers the real thing and my beautiful wife thinks they're "pretty". I actually prefer the MPC GG-1 to the post war - the graphics are great and they're solid runners.

I have to agree, Don. My first GG-1 was the MPC 8753. It had no problems hauling my 8 aluminum 15” Pennsy passenger cars!!! Your wife would have gotten along well with my mother - the GG-1 was her favorite engine and she thought they were beautiful.

@GregM - Thanks for looking for your Chessie boxcars and thanks for the help / tips on finding some.

@PRRick - Hey, I liked the ICG U36b locomotive.  I picked up a Southern RR version at last summer's Austin Train Show. This is #8955 from 1979, still runs great by the way.  

Best Wishes

Don

We can't let the 8801 Blue Comet pass by without mention.  The 4-6-4 with her Mighty Sound of Steam has been pulling her passenger consist faithfully ever since 1978!

How about those MPC vat cars! Carry over from postwar, but a bit more affordable! Pretty fun and neat cars.

Consist of MPC PFEs …

Don't forget the modern prototypes that MPC introduced to their line. Perhaps crude by today's standards, they're bold and colorful with the same charm as post war models.

My son gave me this Union Pacific GP-40 for Christmas this year. I'm sure he appreciated how affordable MPC models are.

Was looking through some pics on my iPad and found one of my 9174 - love the jade green. Luckily, it’s just below another MPC gem… my 783!!!

A few from my collection.  Actually trying to sell some now. 

don

I got this engine about a year ago, cleaned it up and put it to work.  It pulls like a workhorse with its Magnatraction.

Ontario Northland. Put on your track and it runs.                                                            
While I like the new stuff. There’s a hole lot of wisdom in the KISS. Keep it simple stupid. No advanced killywiggers required.

Just a thought, Weston

Your Ontario Northland diesels are beautiful. On one of the layouts we had, I did like you, I attached four units together. Two powered and two non-powered. Makes for a very sharp looking train.

Here's another shot from yesterday's after Church operating session.

Anybody else running these great MPC GG-1s?

ok ,i "pulled out this mpc" from the shipping box,,i had this set and most mpc when it all came out,over time ,new and better came along and out went the mpc,now with this thread it awaked my desire for some mpc again,this was my favorite passenger set,will get cars at some point .my question is ,i know this hasnt been run if a long time,so i should replace the pad under the board in the tender,,what is the best thing to use for that,thanks

I use double sided sticky tape from the auto parts store.

Definitely change out the old foam with double sided foam tape. This would be a good time to add a switch to pickup power to turn off Sound of Steam, There is no volume control. Have fun with MPC!

Love that Berkshire!  When my foam went bad, I pulled the guts for mighty sound of static and installed a traditional postwar style whistle like those found in my dad’s 671 turbine tender.  It was a fun project.  Just another option if you don’t rescue the foam issue in time.

@dmestan posted:

A few from my collection.  Actually trying to sell some now.

Was the 8 car “set” of woodsided reefers, 5700 - 5707, Lionel’s only attempt at releasing factory weathered product? I had this set in my antediluvian era.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Was the 8 car “set” of woodsided reefers, 5700 - 5707, Lionel’s only attempt at releasing factory weathered product? I had this set in my antediluvian era.

In the early 90’s (a bit post MPC), Lionel issued a couple of “Warhorse” sets with the engines and freight cars factory weathered. There was a Norfolk Western J set and a Santa Fe Hudson set. I still have the SF set which includes 4 weathered boxcars.

Paul - I knew that, just didn’t dredge it up before I asked. 🤦🏼‍♂️ I lost the SF Hudson set in Sandy, also the Cotton Belt and N&W coal hoppers from the other warhorse  sets!

I recently purchased a Southern Crescent set and the "sound of static" was AWFUL! The foam was also pretty far gone so I gutted and cleaned the tender and added realsound Vanderbilt sounds into it. It sounds so nice. I removed the chuff magnet as it was super annoying and loud. The trains are loud enough for my poor ears.

Really happy with doing the work and learned a lot.

@pault posted:

I recently purchased a Southern Crescent set and the "sound of static" was AWFUL! The foam was also pretty far gone so I gutted and cleaned the tender and added realsound Vanderbilt sounds into it. It sounds so nice. I removed the chuff magnet as it was super annoying and loud. The trains are loud enough for my poor ears.

Really happy with doing the work and learned a lot.

snikie,that is super nice,could you please advise me where that sound unit came from,its a got to have item ,wowowie,t

@terry hudon posted:

snikie,that is super nice,could you please advise me where that sound unit came from,its a got to have item ,wowowie,t

Shoot I forgot that!! It's off Ebay from the seller paperbooth. I am in no way/shape/form associated with this seller. I randomly stumbled across it after hating the sound of static on the SC. Figured I would give it a shot. Took me about 90 minutes to install as I never done something like this before. I also had to use a dremmel and cut some of the inside plastic on the tender so everything would fit, its SUPER tight. I can see why people use box cars. There is still a rattle somewhere I have to address but overall love it.

EBAY link removed per OGR terms of service...

You can listen to what it will sound like and they send some great instructions. Its a bit pricey, $90,  but I had a lot of fun with it and love the outcome. They are selling lots of different engine sounds, pick the one that best suits your taste/locomotive.

I did the same, but different sound.

@pault posted:

Shoot I forgot that!! It's off Ebay from the seller paperbooth. I am in no way/shape/form associated with this seller. I randomly stumbled across it after hating the sound of static on the SC. Figured I would give it a shot. Took me about 90 minutes to install as I never done something like this before. I also had to use a dremmel and cut some of the inside plastic on the tender so everything would fit, its SUPER tight. I can see why people use box cars. There is still a rattle somewhere I have to address but overall love it.

EBAY link removed per OGR terms of service...

You can listen to what it will sound like and they send some great instructions. Its a bit pricey, $90,  but I had a lot of fun with it and love the outcome. They are selling lots of different engine sounds, pick the one that best suits your taste/locomotive.

found it,its on the way,thanks will post vid when completed !

@terry hudon posted:

found it,its on the way,thanks will post vid when completed !

nice! I see I broke a rule by posting an ebay link, sorry everyone. @terry hudon I hope you have as much fun installing your soundboard as I did and hearing it for the first time.

@pault posted:

nice! I see I broke a rule by posting an ebay link, sorry everyone. @terry hudon I hope you have as much fun installing your soundboard as I did and hearing it for the first time.

i'm good at resoursing !!!

@pault posted:

nice! I see I broke a rule by posting an ebay link, sorry everyone. @terry hudon I hope you have as much fun installing your soundboard as I did and hearing it for the first time.

Drat Pault, I just reread the TOS a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t even think of it when I checked your link.  I might have remembered if I was the one posting, but not reading the post.  It’s so easy for me to forget.  🙁

I know I've said this before but I actually enjoy the Sound Of Steam. I will be quite now! Haha

@RamblerDon posted:

I know I've said this before but I actually enjoy the Sound Of Steam. I will be quite now! Haha

To each their own. Lol. No, I don't mind sos. I just like the project and got a good deal on the whistle.

@terry hudon posted:

ok ,i "pulled out this mpc" from the shipping box,,i had this set and most mpc when it all came out,over time ,new and better came along and out went the mpc,now with this thread it awaked my desire for some mpc again,this was my favorite passenger set,will get cars at some point .my question is ,i know this hasnt been run if a long time,so i should replace the pad under the board in the tender,,what is the best thing to use for that,thanks

Double sided tape works great, as suggested.  If you are not a stickler for getting the original cars that came with the set, Williams made a very nice set of Madisons that go really well with the locomotive and look more substantial.  The originals are fine too.  One of my favorite locomotives.  Good luck with it!

@RamblerDon posted:

I know I've said this before but I actually enjoy the Sound Of Steam. I will be quite now! Haha

I have a couple of years/decades on you, Don, but I still remember when the first SOS engines came out - I owned a few!!! They were a revelation when compared to my PW steamer (and diesels for that matter), especially the whistle. While they haven’t really stood the onslaught of technology, they were an important step in the progress to the amazing sound systems we enjoy today.