The Finest of The MPC Era

[MPCAnthony]

As my name indicates, I was raised during the MPC era as well.

My first set was the 8304 engine Rock Island express and still runs today.  Come to think of it the majority of my railroad empire is MPC, mixed in twith K-line, Lionel LLC, LTI, Industrial rail, MTH etc. rolling stock mixed in.

8304 Rock Island set

8042 GT engine with PRR Tender

8204 Chesapeak and Ohio

Chicago and Alton engine and passenger set

All of these have received service through the years and are still running well.  My Dad had to send the Chicago and Alton back twice and then Lionel sent us a brand new one and have not had trouble since.

[gunrunnerjohn]

There were some decent products during the MPC era, but there were also a ton of junky products produced in that time period!  I like to call it Lionel's Plastic Era.   They generally cheapened everything about the product line, and quality really suffered!

 

[fifedog]

I've become a fan of the Hi-Cube boxcars from the mid-70's.  They track great and come in many schemes from that era.

And, I prefer to run the auto racks from that same era (with 1:43 cars though).

[Penny Trains]

I'm an MPC kid!    I have the 8861/8862 Santa Fe A-B Alcos pulling the Chief on my bedroom layout right now!    (That's about all there is on that layout at the moment!)  In fact, those Alcos and the MPC CN Geep are the only diesels I own.  I picked up the Alcos at a show a few years back for 50 bucks and I got the CN Geep for Christmas the year it came out.  I also have the James Gang set and a blue Chessie 4-4-2 that run on DC.  I have the 9500 heavyweight Chessie cars too.

This brings up an interresting question I've always wondered about.  When EXACTLY in 1969 did Lionel sell out to General Mills/Fundimentions?  I was born on November 6th and I've always been curious about that event.

Becky

[krapug1]

The 783 runs very much like it's 773 brothers.  Meaning it runs very smooth, and maintains a consistent speed, BUT it is  not the greatest puller.

CTT ran a feature on the postwar 773's where it discussed the motors and gear ratios that were used in these engines.  The 1950 and 1964 to 1966 773's run the same.

That said, I would recommend the 783, it can be had great prices, since it's a conventional 

engine, it requires no programming, or battery, and the whistle gives off a mournful chime.

The 783 also features steamchest smoke.

 

Ken

 

 

 

[arkady]

I certainly don't sneer at MPC -- I was buying it when it was brand-new, back in the Seventies.  I wish that they'd stayed with MagneTraction instead of going to traction tires, though.

How do you like that 783, krapug?  I've heard here and there that they had rather weak motors.  I would value your opinion, in case I happen to see one for sale at the next train show.

 

[Seayakbill]

Ya have some nice steamers running there, great pictures.

[krapug1]

Yes, there are those of us, who not only collect MPC era Lionel, but operate it, and appreciate it.

Here are some of that era's finest.

Starting with the 783, the first modern era scale Hudson

A number of "baby Hudson's" were made during the MPC era.

MPC created the 9500 series "baby madison's" as their first passenger car.

 

Ken