Frisco geep

[railfanespee4449]

I won this on ebay for $86.
good deal?

[ChiefEagles]

With Magne-traction, and runs good. I would think so.

[ben10ben]

I agree, a pretty good deal just as long as it runs well. Just be sure to lubricate it well before running it.

[Big_Boy_4005]

That engine is actually part of the Fallen Flags #5 set. There was no set box, as all of the pieced were sold seperately. That sounds like a decent price for that engine. It sure makes the price guide look stupid at nearly double.

Always remember, buyers determine market values. Books and sellers can say anything they want. Money talks, and "everything else" walks. Enjoy your new train.[8D]

[Chris F]

I've got two sources indicating this 18504 locomotive, cataloged in 1991, had the number "8504" on the cab, not "504". You might want to take a closer look at the cab to see if the "8" is missing or just painted over. If the former, you got an even better deal!

[Big_Boy_4005]

No Chris, there is only the one version. 504 is correct, you can see in the photo that the numbers on the cab are centered. The box is marked 18504, and that is the correct catalog number.

According to my reference sources there never was an 8504 made. That would indicate an engine made in 1975 or 1985 under the MPC numbering scheme. I don't know why that number was never used. It may have been asigned to an engine that was never made.

I looked at the 1991 catalog and saw where you got the idea that there could have been an 8504. It has always been a common practice for there to be changes made between the time catalog photos are taken and production. All of the soures I checked, including my own copy of that engine indicate no such variation in production. There is nothing uncommon about that locomotive.

[3railguy]

You got a god deal for $86. Great graphics, Pulmore motor, magnetraction, and mechanical reverse in the robust postwar tradition.

504 is the correct cab number. A production model is also shown in the Feb 92 issue of CTT product review with "504" on the cab.

[palallin]

The FF #5 Geep is a great engine. It pulls very well, it runs smoothly, and it has the add-on grab irons (for those who require that sort of thing). And, yes, "504" is the correct cab number.

The whole set is a good one, as a matter of fact.

Steve Allen
Frisco, MoPac, and T &P

[Chris F]

Thanks for the correction! My sources were -

Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1970-1991, Vol. 1, Motive Power and Rolling Stock, p. 34. "...red lettering and "8504" below cab window." Since this information was published in 1991, the author must have relied on the catalog photo.

Lionel: A Collector's Guide and History, TM Books and Video (CD, 1997) shows a picture with "8504" on the cab. Apparently Tom McComas got his picture from the catalog, too.

My other modern-era Greenberg book, Lionel Trains 1987-1995 Motive Power and Rolling Stock (RIchard Kughn Era), shows the correct photo with "504" on the cab and the correct number in the text.

Just goes to show that book-larnin' is no substitute for the real thing!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Boy Chris, that photo really got around. I have that 1991 full version of the Greenberg guide, you're right, they didn't know in time for it to go to press. I actually didn't reach for that book first, but now that you mentioned it I did look it up, and I see what you mean. I grabbed last year's Greenberg pocket guide, and a 1999 McComas pocket guide, and both said only 504.

[3railguy]

i checked frisco in the fallen flags website and they list a few photos of frisco gp-7's numbered 501 thru 545 (no 504 pic). My guess is frisco fans saw the catalog and wrote in that 8504 was incorrect. So lionel changed it to 504. This happened often.

[1688torpedo]

Hello railfanspeed 4449. You sure did get a good deal on that Frisco Geep. When they were brand new in 1991 they cost about $250-275.00 depending on where you bought one at.and since it looks almost new in the box with a Pullmor motor ,Magne-Traction,and a mechanical e-unit you will have many years of running time with this engine.Keith