As has been discussed MPC took the PW Prarie Mold, (used right up to the end of the PW era with the 2029) and created a 4-4-2 die cast steamer (the PW’s were 2-6-4).
These engines are good work horses, but came with a 2 position reverse, many had the Might Sound of Steam, and a few of the 8142’s had whistles, no doubt the test engine for the combo of the MSOS and a whistle. That feature would be officially offered with the 8206 “baby” Hudson from 1972 to 1975 and it was then dropped. It would be reserected later in the MPC era with an improved design.
That said I recently bought the 1973 Milw. Road Passenger set on ebay. It arrived as listed (like new), but included in the box was the infamous whistle controller, and sure enough it has the electronic whistle, and the MSOS. Granted someone could have swapped the tender body for the one that came with the 8206, but all appears brand new with this set.
Does anyone know if this 8305 was ever reported to have included the whistle ??
and yes my set box clearly states MSOS and Whistle (and no I did not look before).
Do the other Passenger Sest of the time have this as well (Capitol Limited and Broadway Limited) ??
The book I use for reference is Lionel a Collectors Guide and History, 1970 - 1980 (with a value and stock guide through 1994). As we know, no one book or website is 100% acurate.
Now for the bonus question ??
For those who own the Milw Spec Set, have you ever been able to take the Passenger cars apart, or at least remove the roofs?? I ask this as I have some extra window inserts with silouettes, and they would dress the coaches up.
The bad news is that the windows are the same piece as the roof and hard to get them removed the first time. Also, the silhouettes probably wont show through well taped to the inside, but that may be a desirable feature…?
The secret to getting these apart is to squeeze the windows in from the bottom or sides instead of trying to reach over the top… hold the car in front of you with the side windows facing to your left & right between your hands.
Press in on the “notched” rear windows with both index fingers using a pushing up motion at the same time to “unlock” the raised tabs from the windows. Switch to the front windows and do the same. Repeat on back windows again… usually by this time you have opened up the roof enough to get a grip on the roof panel and raise it straight up & out of the car.
Don’t mar the finish by using wedges or screwdrivers to pry the roof up - it just isn’t necessary.
There is also 1 more step if you are working on a Polar Express observation car, you must remove the screw from the platform overhang ceiling(up into roof casting).
