The New Englander train set, mpc

Set #1050 "New Englander"  from 1980-81 Contains:

8007 DC ONLY Engine with mechanical sound tender ($50-60)

9035 Conrail "scout style" Boxcar ($5-10)

9036 Mobil "scout style" dome ($5-10)

9140 Burlington Gondola ($5-8)

9380 NYNH&H Caboose ($5-10)

0-27 track & transformer, telephone poles, sundries ($20-25)

"Unopened" adds maybe $5-7

So $100 total, maybe $130 on a good day to the right collector. With this said, all the cars are very common and easily available. If I saw it at a train show, I probably would not buy it for more than $75, since it is DC ONLY, and even then only if I really wanted the complete set for some reason.

Some other things you should know:

This is a DC only powered set. The set came with a DC power pack, not an AC transformer. In other words, this locomotive will NOT run with your typical AC Lionel transformer without making alterations internally to the locomotive.

It is also a plastic body locomotive, not die-cast. Nearly all of the DC powered train sets came with much smaller steam locomotives, such as the 2-4-0 or 0-4-0 variety. The engine in this set, being a 2-6-4 was an unusual wheel arrangement for a low cost starter DC powered train set. I suppose that might contribute to those who would think of this as a "collectible" set.

These are the sorts of trains I shop for. One of these sets did fetch $135 at auction... I guess someone really wanted the set. I run my layout with the option of DC current, and have a fleet of the smaller DC powered locos that I have beefed up, repainted and added details to. And I actually DO like the mechanical sound of steam tenders and am always looking for more!

But I wouldn't pay $135 for the set. But I don't need or have to have this set either.

Thanks you both very much. I did know about the dc.  I think I might just leave it wrapped maybe someday it will be worth a little more. Or my grandson can open when he gets older.  Now, on to making room in basement to build a layout �� And hopefully acquire more trains eventually … 

You can get the locomotive converted to AC operation for about $35. It's simple job if you have a Lionel repair shop in your area.

My first locomotive was a 2-4-0 from the same era, dc-only.   
I got many years of enjoyment out of it a a child.  As an adult I converted it to ac and still use it on occasion.  It always make me smile.

Deb posted:

Thanks you both very much. I did know about the dc.  I think I might just leave it wrapped maybe someday it will be worth a little more. Or my grandson can open when he gets older.  Now, on to making room in basement to build a layout �� And hopefully acquire more trains eventually … 

Deb,

Welcome to the Forum!!  I think your idea of saving it for your grandson to open when you think he is old enough is a great idea!!  And if you wait until he is old enough to appreciate that his great-grandfather had it; I think that is big!!  I grew up in the post-war period, but no one gave me a train set.  They were too expensive for my family.  I finally saved up enough money to buy a cheap HO set that was comparable in quality to your New Englander, but this was well before the MPC era.  I'm not saying, poor me.  I'm just saying he needs to be old enough to appreciate this one, if you choose to save it for him.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have!  There is always several of us who will respond to "newbie" questions.

Thanks Mark. I will most definitely will  probably need help in the future. My Dad instilled the love of trains in me but I didn't pay much attention to other things , like how he set up track layouts etc. I can still see his layout in my mind. I have some ideas for one but will take some doing. 

I really appreciate everyone's help, a lot!

One other thing, Deb. Don't keep that set all wrapped up and unused only because you think it might be worth more someday. Newcomers often assume that just because something is marked Lionel, it will appreciate in value.

The reason Lionel has this reputation is that the prewar and postwar models were exceptional toy products of high quality, and high price. They were special gifts for lucky children, and a lot of kids connected strongly with these toys. But the collectors market really blossomed with postwar trains as baby boomers became adults and sought the trains of their youth. That created a competitive market.

The MPC stuff has never quite reached that fever-pitch level of collectibility because the products drew less directly on childhood nostalgia and were not always deemed to be of the same high quality of their postwar cousins. Now I'm among those who appreciates the MPC era stuff, and I, like many, have handpicked items that are affordably collectible or desirable. So I don't want you to think MPC is bad. It just shouldn't be relegated to an investment status.

By all means, save the set for your grandson to open in a few years if you prefer, but don't hesitate to open it now. That set is unlikely to be worth more than it is now, and it is worth a lot more as a plaything.

The locomotive is cast from the postwar 675 tool; the postwar version of the K4 Pacific. MPC injected plastic into the mold rather than metal. Long ago I knew a dealer who bought several sets thinking that they were going to be cast metal. He could not give away the sets. 

Not sure, but this may be the last time the 675 tool was used to produce product. While the small Hudson, 665 tool, and the Berkshire tool where frequently used to produce locomotives, the 675 saw little action. 

The metal diecast 675 and its close "cousins" are classic postwar locos and are very dependable. 

Hi DEB 

Break open the Box & play trains ! 

I buy my toy trains to play with !  

All my past & current train get played with !  

I hope to buy a new engine & set  soon !  $500  I will run it until it fails or I pass away !   

PLEASE oil & lube the engine before running !   turn off smoke if you do not like the smoke !  

HAVE FUN WITH THE TRAINS 

A K5 type mold on a NH train?  PRR would have been a better road.

Dominic Mazoch posted:

A K5 type mold on a NH train?  PRR would have been a better road.

As opposed to all the different road names (like Southern, Jersey Central, Chicago & Alton, etc...) MPC slapped on products from the New York Central Hudson molds. 

And continues to to so today on the Lion Chief Hudson's....

Rusty

hi, they made 2 road names for the same casting it was indeed the 675/2025 ,they were given #8001 nickle plate and the 8007 new haven,correct they were dc,but can convert them to ac with the boards, my 1st set was the 2025 with green/gray cars,so i'm always wanted more of them,lionel cut up the molds and used them as loads in a service station set I believe,,,too bad,always wanted Williams to remake them ,hope this helps  

The 675 was originally a Pre War 225E. Lionel removed the feedwater heater and added the belpaire firebox probably to compete with Gilberts PRR K5 Pacific. 

Of course, The Gilbert K5 was a fairly accurate model of the actual loco, perhaps without the poppet valves? Lionel's version was NOT a Pacific but instead a Prairie.

Tinplate Art posted:

Of course, The Gilbert K5 was a fairly accurate model of the actual loco, perhaps without the poppet valves? Lionel's version was NOT a Pacific but instead a Prairie.

Yes and when the added a 4 wheel trailing truck a backward pacific.