I have found a website called: postwarlionel.com that obviously gives info for this era. Are there any other resources giving detailed info about 1970-current Lionel trains? I am new to model trains and want to add a couple of models to the start of my collection, but I would like details about motors, gears, road numbers, reliability and collect appeal before buying Lionel.
If anyone knows of an MPC site. I would like to know too. Horizontal Rules is another good postwar site.
For on line information the Lionel Site has the supplemental diagrams from the MPC era on up. They list the technical information. Over 40 of them, 1to 9 contains some good early info. I bought the Modern Catalog that covers 1969 to 2000. Well worth it. More of the later 1969 stuff is coming out to the market. I think this guide is a must.
Bob
Yes, forgot about the service manual pages in the Lionel site. Got em on CD. Excellent source for part no’s. Not sure if you mean the Doyle book on the modern era 1970 to 2000. That is good too. Mostly pictures, year of production, and current values. No reference to features such as magnetraction verses traction tires, can motors verses pullmors, etc. Still, it’s a good book. 400 pages which is a lot for the money.
MPC truely is classic in its own right. I think as more people who grew up in that era join the hobby, the demand will warrant further publication and MORE COVERAGE IN CTT!
I am also just starting out, so 3railguy what is MPC ?
My Mistake the book I referred to was edited by Justin Moen 1970 to 2000. Doyle is connected with the Prewar book.
MPC OK Lionel was bought by General Mills in 1969. Johnny Cash became the advertiser for the trains. Production grrew and the facility to produce them was set up in Mount Clemens Michigan. This was General Mills Home of Fundimensions who had the MPC line of hobby kits. So Fundimensions was the parent company of Lionel under General MIlls. MPC I think is Model Plastic Corp.
I got this from the 75th Anniversary book. On the Right Track.
Bob
Model Products Corporation
I have gone through the supplements and have gone crazy thying to find things. Has anyone ever made an index for the whole lot of them?
Soupy2c,
As usual, Bob “lionelsoni” Nelson is correct. For more info (not guaranteed to be completely accurate) try
http://www.spikesys.com/Modelrr/lionel.html
It’s less expensive than buying a book.
.
The trick to the supplements is knowing the time frame. Each one has an index.1-9 Covers the first 10 years or so. Around 32 you have the early 90’s, late 80’s. MPC is comng to it’s own and the need for information is growing. I am just glad the information is there. Sure it takes time, that’s why it’s a hobby.Sorry I haven’t use them enough to get any more accuracy for you. I guess books are still in style.
Thanks for the info & website, it is always good to find new sources. I hope someday to have more answers than questions.
J Campbell