NYC MPC Rolling Stock

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hello Forum,

Can anyone tell me the difference between the #9815 NYC Early Bird Reefer and the #9882 NYC Early Bird Reefer? Both are MPC Rolling Stock, but I wanted to know if one has more details or is a better made car. Also, any info on the MPC #9461 Norfolk Southern “Limited Edition” boxcar. How does MPC compare with Williams?

Thanks,
Bernard

2

The 9815 is a “Standard O” car–same as their 1/4" scale 40’ boxcars, except for the door. The 9882 is a Woodside reefer, and is a little smaller in size, but still larger than the 6464/9700 series boxcars

Personally, I like these smaller reefers, since, judging from old photographs, late steam era refers were a little smaller compared to the then-new 40’ steel boxcars.

Don’t know about the 9461, but IIRC, 9400 series boxcars are the same size at the 9700 series and postwar 6464 series.

I don’t run Williams, but I can tell you I do have a soft spot for MPC. Most of their cars are really beautifully decorated. The only real caveat with MPC rolling stock is the couplers: Most work fine, but you do sometimes find ones that don’t close well, or that come open under heavy load. But most coupler problems are with the low-end plastic trucks–the cars you are looking at have those wonderful die-cast sprung trucks. If the price is right, I say go for it!

3

Hello,

Thank you for the information. It was just what I was looking for.

Is there any way to know which of the MPC boxcars had the plastic trucks/wheels based on the car number? I have done some research, but haven’t found anything defintive. I am speaking specifically of the #9413 Napierville Junction boxcar. Is it possible to replace the plastic trucks with Williams/Lionel diecast trucks?

Thanks,

Bernard

4

I would say yes asi have replaced lionel broken plastic trucks with diecast a few times now there are a few exceptions as some cars have a weird hook up but this too can be overcome.