OK...Dumb question...What is MPC?

[darianj]

Hi everyone,
Hopefully this isn't too dumb a question, but I was wondering where a newbie could learn the terms and acronyms that are used on the forum...right now I'm really stumped with "MPC". And I'm not exactly sure about "Post-War" either.

I've been doing a good amount of reading in my spear time. I've actually been doing more ready then running my train set; but I still have a lot to learn. Any suggestions for someone new to the hobby?[?]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[mpzpw3]

Starting from the beginning. Postwar refers to Lionel items built between 1945-1969. In 1969, MPC bought the Lionel train line, and produced Lionel trains until 1986, I believe. MPC refers to model product corporation, a division of General Mills at the time. Lionel has changed hands several times since then, and I am sure others can explain those better than I can.

[prewardude]

And to add to that, the trains built from 1969 to now are referred to as "modern era" trains. Prewar, obviously, refers to trains built before WWII.

Regards,
Clint

[Anonymous]

"Model Products Corporation" (MPC)-- a former division of food giant, General Mills.

[otftch]

It has been stated before that without MPC there would probably be no Lionel.They kept the line going and brought out the only new "O" scale in years.Yes there were a few problems,but I have MPC trains from the whole era and am very happy with them, even a couple from Mexico !
Ed