Trains.com

Define PWC/Could it include a CAN Motor?

1719 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Colchester, Vermont
  • 1,136 posts
Define PWC/Could it include a CAN Motor?
Posted by Kooljock1 on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 4:49 PM
I was looking through the Greenberg Guide to LIONEL 1945-1969, and it got me thinking(always a danger I know!). Would the LIONEL Post War Celebration Series work with CAN motors in the steamers?

Think of the #2046, #773, #736, #681, and #675 made from crisp new tooling, and with CAN motors with flywheels, TMCC, Odyssey, and RailSounds.

I'm thinking these would come as part of PWC sets, not for separate sale.

Each set with the appropriate cars rather like the Wabash and Majestic Electric sets.

Would you buy a CAN motored 675 with 2400 series cars made with metal frames?

Jon [8D]


Now broadcasting world-wide at http://www.wkol.com Weekdays 5:00 AM-10:00AM!
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Posted by SPFan on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:05 PM
With the exception of the 675 Williams has already done this sans TMCC. No reason Lionel couldn't do it as well, though.
Pete
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:05 PM
Absoutely!! I have learned to hate the old motors!!! Too much maintainence, and real power hogs. Give me can motors any day!!!!
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:34 PM
If Lionel thought they could get away with putting can motors in the PWC line, I think they would have done so long ago. I guess there are still some folks in the buying public who want somewhat authentic reproductions. I'm waiting for them to reissue the 55 tiejector car as a PWC item with everything restored to it's postwar configuration.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:07 PM
Didn't Lionel already re-issue the 55 tie jector a few years back. I know it wasn't PWC series, but since was already done, my guess is that they won't anytime soon. Can always hope though!

I would like to see them do the Navy Yard switcher as well.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: The ROMAN Empire State
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by brianel027 on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:29 PM
On an off topic Jon, just got the new issue of CTT and saw the ad you mentioned in another post. It was a hoot and illustrated in one simple picture what is wrong with the hobby... greed.

If the guy in the photo had been with me one day, he could have watched me buy the same engine at the Salvation Army for 95ยข. Okay, I did have to spend a few extra dollars on making improvements - and the engine pulls 11-12 cars now no slippage. Still I can't imagine I have more than $10 in it now. My nephew loves that little engine for no other reason than he knows I got it for a deal and it's red - his favorite color. I'll note he likes Conrail and NS too.

Oh wait, got a phone call.... the Salvation Army is on the phone... can you believe it... they want the other $349.05 I owe them.
I should have consulted the price guide first! [:D]

brianel, Agent 027

"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Ohio
  • 607 posts
Posted by GregM on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:30 PM
I seem to recall that the engine in PWC "Girls Set" had a can motor. This and the fact it didn't have TMCC caused such a volume of complaints that special add-on cars were produced. I've never been a fan of this set, so I didn't buy one. I have bought a few PWC sets and separate items.

This was a while ago, so if I've got something wrong, SORRY!
GregM
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Over the Rainbow!
  • 760 posts
Posted by eZAK on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:46 PM
If I understand this correctly, Lionel is still making engines with AC open frme motors!

I did not know this.

Does any one have any numbers for new locos with AC motors??
Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Home Brew!</font id="size2"> Pat Zak</font id="size3">
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Colchester, Vermont
  • 1,136 posts
Posted by Kooljock1 on Thursday, April 1, 2004 2:44 AM
eZak,

Aside from the above mentioned Girls Set and the matching Boys set, all the Post War Celebration Series engines have been equipped with open-frame "Universal" motors. This includes the PWC GP-7/9's, the PWC F-3's, and the PWC GG-1's.

And don't get me wrong, they're all great. It's just that when it comes to motive power for my mountain division, the CAN motor and Odyssey are hard to beat!

As far as the Girls/Boys sets, there were two reasons not to buy them. First, no TMCC. And second, the N5C cabin car tooling hadn't been restored yet. You could also throw in the lack of the cheesy white transformer too, but I don't think that was a deal buster for most of us! And I really liked the LTI packaging better, with the correct set box.

Jon [8D]
Now broadcasting world-wide at http://www.wkol.com Weekdays 5:00 AM-10:00AM!
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Thursday, April 1, 2004 4:35 PM
The #55 tie jector car was reissued with a can motor. In addtion, assorted parts were also switched from metal to plastic. Unfortunately, I preordered, so I do own one. I'd like to see them reissue the tie jector to it's postwar configuration.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 1, 2004 6:55 PM
forgive my ignorance...

i own nearly all the postwar engines that they re-issued in the Post War Celebration.

did the re-issues come with the new cans or with the old wire armatures and brush motors?
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Colchester, Vermont
  • 1,136 posts
Posted by Kooljock1 on Friday, April 2, 2004 2:57 AM
All the re-issues with the exception of the Girl's and Boy's sets have Post War style open-frame "universal" motors. To be sure, many also come with TMCC/RailSounds too, but a Post War style steamer with a CAN motor and Odyssey would be terrific!

I just got the PWC #50 Section Gang Car last night from Brown, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference from the original except for the "PW" below the number, and the PWC plaque on the bottom.

Jon [8D]
Now broadcasting world-wide at http://www.wkol.com Weekdays 5:00 AM-10:00AM!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month