Anyone still running MPC?

[njalb1]

Yes to MPC! Here is my favorite Disney set from 1977.

[TonyGG1]

Yes, it's some of my favorite stuff also. I'm partial to the MPC geeps. I feel fortunate to own, with their matching dummys, the Boston & Maine, Pennsylvania, Jersey Central and CP Rail.  Lionel never made a dummy for the latter, maybe because it came in a set and not offered for separate sale.

 

Tony Sincius

[Anonymous]

Certainly I run and very much enjoy MPC-era trains.  If it hadn't been for them, along with Ron Hollander's "All Aboard" book, I likely would never have returned to O gauge (I was very active in N scale at the time).  Ron's book--a Christmas gift from my girlfriend--rekindled my interest in O gauge, and I subsequently asked my mom to ship over (to Hawaii) some of the stuff remaining from my many happy boyhood years with Lionel.

Went to the local hobby shop in Honolulu to buy a transformer and some track so I could run those things, and left the place that day with a car full of track, switches, transformer, signals and other accessories, and, of course, several new MPC trains.  That pretty much did it for me, so I owe a whole lot of thanks to the folks at General Mills and MPC!

In many ways, I enjoyed what the hobby was in those MPC days a lot more than I enjoy what it has become today.  There was less product available, but it was always eagerly awaited.  Folks weren't hung-up on the "brand wars" thing because there were few brands to have wars with, and nobody really cared about such nonsense.  We were thankful for what we got, even though we always wanted more.  There was no Internet, so friends you made in the hobby were selected from among people you actually met and knew, and who shared your interests beyond what the hobby offered.  You may not have had a large circle of friends, but at least they were real people and you rarely, if ever, were exposed to the fussing and fuming in and about the hobby that emerged with the Web and discussion forums.

And I don't believe I've ever had to send an MPC item in for repair.  If anything ever went wrong with an item, I was able to fix the problem myself.  A good many of those trains are still with me today, and still seeing regular use.

Even though I've enjoyed playing with TMCC, DCS, RailSounds, ProtoSounds, and the other bells-and-whistles features embedded in contemporary toy trains, I must admit that most of my train money goes to Williams, RMT, and lower-end offerings from Lionel, MTH, and the former K-Line that still retain something of the simple, no-frills tradition of the earlier MPC trains.

[cnw1995]

This thread is certainly a blast from the past. I have and run frequently two MPC engines from my brother's trainsets (I seem to have them on permanent loan) a Santa Fe FA from 1970 or 1972 and a Grand Trunk 2-4-2 from the same dates.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I own many MPC era engines and run them all.  Since no one has mentioned this specifically, I have a Chessie Steam Special set, and it rocks!  I run it occasionally, got it from ebay 5 years ago (brand new in boxe(s)).  I like the uniqueness of plain passenger car windows, no passenger inserts.  I think they only did it that way for a few years.  The sound of steam in my engine still works, it died in my other MPC steam engines.

[Lionelking313]

I agree. all of my engines run perfectly, however the 8206 hudson was one of the first ones with the whistle feature, which fried the boards, I have 2 of them, 1 i bought mint by itself, the other one came in the early service station set it was included in and they work perfectly. I like the whistle sound better then the old ones on the postwar. As much as I enjoy the sound of steam, I still love Railsounds also.

If the foam pad is bad, I use double sided foam tape, works great. I have many replacement Sound of Steam circuit boards on hand for all my engines with and without the whistle. You can find them at parts dealers and at shows.  The BB;s in the roller isnt for me, nor are the 2-4-2, 4-4-2, or the e2-6-4's

Give me berks, northerns, hudsons etc..lol

Mark

[brianel027]

Mark, nope you are not the only one. My Electronic Sound of Steam locos also work and for all it's simplicity (compared to proudcts today), I still like it. For historical fans, MARX actually came up with this idea a couple years before Lionel.

The main problem with the ESOS is the foam insulation piece in the tender that separates the circuit board from the metal frame disintegrates. Whenever I find one of these units, I immediately check the condition of the foam and replace it. Chances are, if the loco hasn't been run for a while by the previous owner, the ESS still will work. If they've run it with the compromised piece of foam, there's a good chance they've fried the board of which there are no replacements that I am aware of.

Of course, for all it's utter simplicity, the Mechanical Sound of Steam doesn't have this problem, though I find I need to grind out the opening where the roller sits inside the frame, so that the roller makes better contact. I also add a little weight to the MSOS tenders and replace the "rubber band" around the sound drum.

[Lionelking313]

all the Service Station sets, Collector line hudsons, mikados, berkshires, FARR sets, and all the Limited edition engines and sets. one of my best runners is the 8206 NYC Hudson, and the Electronic Whistle and Sound of Steam actually works.  I think I am one of the only ones with this engine that the sound works pergectly. Also running LTI Collector line engines, rolling stock, SS sets etc. It all looks good with the newer standard size stuff and Postwar Celebration series, and my original postwar acccessories.

Mark

[Dr. John]

An Illinois Central GP-9 and a GM&O GP-20 are about it for motive power. Also several pieces of assorted MPC rolling stock, mostly boxcars and flat cars.

[MikeSanta]

I have seven or so MPC engines I run with everything else. The MPC stuff had more realistic paint jobs than the postwar stuff at times: the cabeese actually matched the engines. The engines have done good: I've had to repair them but I've had to repair other stuff I have, too. Plus, I can work some on it myself.

[trigtrax]

And why do we need this distinction?

I run MPC right along with Postwar, Williams, K-line, and MTH. It's just another brand of toy train. Sure there is some weakness in it. I replaced the rubber tire motor of my Budd cars with a postwar magnetraction Geep motor and greatly increased performance. But then my Williams GE-60 has two MPC rubber tire trucks and it will pull stumps. During it's lifetime MPC made some of my favorite trains as well as its share of turkeys, no different than any of the others listed above

[overall]

I have a pair of the 1980 C&S F-3's that run quite well. I run them at the point of my K-line "City of New Orleans" because the big E-9 A-B-A lash up that came with the set has been a constant souce of trouble and frustration from day 1. And , yes, I know it is unrealistic. I also have a Chessie Steam special set from 1979 and a Powhatan Arrow from 1982(?). They don't give any problems either and they run regularly.

 

George

[jwse30]

Currently I'm not running anything, as I recently moved, and the old layout is torn down. I run a lot of MPC cars,  and I have a few MPC engines. The 1776 U36 is about the sharpest looking engine IMHO.  Most of the cars I run are the 9700 boxcars. Very colorful, and they track well.

I too feel MPC has gotten an undeserved bad rap.

J White

[philo426]

I have an MPC F-3 that I repainted in Santa Fe war bonnet livery (It was a preamble express)and it runs just fine.I am a little wary about the plastic gears stripping but it has run well with 15 cars with no issues to date.It  runs smoothly and reliably and for 65 bucks I couldn't pass it up.

[Boxcar Bill]

Yes, I have fifty engines and over four hundred cars that I run. Within the last year I had to put side gears in my 8250 Gp-9. Not bad for the time that it has run. In my opinion I think the paint and graphics are some of the finast ever produce.

[brianel027]

A firm YES! Time will tell how many of the digital control locos will be running 25-30 years later. And despite the frequent complaint about plastic gears, I've had little trouble... just helps to operate and maintain with a little TLC. I've taken care of my MPC-era locos and they've taken care of me. And I love the decidedly non-high-tech Mechanical Sound of Steam... the cuff rate is just fine.

I did have one NW2 Switcher that lurched and jerked going in reverse. One of the gears would wobble loose from making good contact. So I reattached the truck sides and inserted a piece of bass wood cut with just a hair space away from that gear... the wood keeps the gear from moving away. And the loco has worked fine once again ever since. Nearly every person I personally know has had TMCC locos back for repairs (one guy twice) and a couple have had DOA's. So here we have the much maligned MPC stuff which I can fix myself and runs fine and is affordable - a winning deal for me.

My cheap MPC plastic bodied steamers will pull as many cars as other locos. I did a contest with a guy who had a postwar GP-9 with magnetraction and my 8300 beat him... but I should add that I made my usual list of custom alterations and improvements to my 8300. But just goes to show even a cheap MPC engine can stand right along side the so-called champions! And the plastic bodies make adding extra details a breeze.

When folks start getting on about how great Lionel is today with all the electronic toasters and the scale detail and the Franklin Mint prices, and ask the question as an insult "would you like to go back to the MPC-era of Lionel?" My answer is a solid YES! The MPC era was the last period where Lionel did any new tooling for traditionally sized operators, out side of the Kughn-era Spine car, the Waffle Box Car and the LLC Dockside swither... MPC did way more.

And many of those MPC-tooled items are STILL in production, so shame in running MPC!!

PS: I used to buy MPC era trains, accessories, rolling stock, separate sale locos and track at K-MART! Dang, it's been a long time since a major discount department store chain carried Lionel. And the big authorized Lionel dealer in my area had his shop in a garage! He had a lot of stock too. That wouldn't be approved today under the current Lionel dealership regulations, unless the business is under favor of the "Grandfather Clause."

[artyoung]

I bought (and run) MPC's  GP-20's, F-3's, EP-5's, and E-33's. It's still the cheapest way to buy the classic type of engines at the lowest price.Other than the plastic gearing, I never understood the all the negatives. I like them and wish I could've bought more when they were new.

[1688torpedo]

Yes, I've got some MPC as well with the Allegheny Freight set from 1971, Milwaukee Special set from 1973, Broadway Limited set from 1974(My first Lionel) Burlington SD-28 from 1981 which is a excellent running Diesel. A 8002 Union Pacific Berkshire from 1980 & a Chicago & Alton Hudson from 1981. They run well & look sharp. I think that Lionel Trains from the 70s Get short shrift most of the time as they had Better Paint & Graphics than even Postwar Lionel.Plus, Fast Angle Wheels & Sound of Steam. Very satisfied with them. Take Care all.

[csxt30]

I will be picking up a set of RDC cars on Sunday !! I think he said these were made in 1975. Hope to have a picture on Sunday Photo Fun !!  Any one else have these ?

Thanks, John

[dlagrua]

Absolutely. Although simple in detail and low tech, MPC era trains are good runners . I own several GP's and they run great. Kind of like old Lionel with new plastic, AC motors and electro-mechanical E- unit and let's not forget the plain steel wheels!  

[otftch]

I run twenty-two MPC diesels and over a hundred freight cars intermixed with post war and modern.They are an integral part of my collection. They are some of my best runners and most dependable trains.I really don't know why they have such a bad rep.

                            Ed

 

[DCmontana]

Yes I have several cars including five of the 9500 series Milwaukee passenger cars and a Milwaukee SD-18.  Most of these items look great and run well.  If you want to build long frieghts and not spend a lot of money, these cars are for sale on e-bay and are usually bargains, even for mint condition!

[lynbrookyankee]

I am running a Burlington SD-28 (8151) on my temporary layout now. It is pulling MPC, LTI, & LLC rolling stock and still runs & pulls well. I oil & lube as instructed and have never had a problem. I still cant believe I have had this for 25 years - I can still remember buying it way back when.

[thor]

Yes I'm running a blue 2-4-2 which was a sound of steam loco only I never had the tender just the wire sticking out of the cab!

[mersenne6]

Yup,  the reissue of the "Little Joe" with an after market MPC electronic horn gets a regular is still running just fine.  The 611 with MPC passenger consist and the C&NW FM also put in a regular appearance.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

Yes, I do have a lot of MPC and I run it about as often as the Kughn-era stuff and the little amount of Lionel LLC that I have.  One of my favorite MPC sets is the 1970 Wabash Cannonball, which featured a 2-4-2 Nickel Plate Columbia engine (go figure).  Other favorites from that time period are the James Gang, the Black Cave Flyer and the LASER set.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

 

 

[FJ and G]

The MPCs are my favorite. Behind the consolidation is a Weaver bulkhead flat and behind that are 3 MPCs, the blue one is a Missouri Pacific and behind those are 2 beer reefers (behind that is a post-war tank car). 2 views from front of train and back.

Guess I don't run 'm like gramps did.

[ChiefEagles]

Lots of U36B's and GP9's along with quite a bit of rolling stock..

[choochin3]

Just wondering if any of you folks are running of collect products made by Lionel 1970-1985 ?

I still run a few 2-4-2's with the baby rattle chug noise,and a few 4-4-2's with the sound of steam.

Plus a couple of FA's,and NW2's

 

Carl T.