I’ve been offered a loco which I’m told, dates from 1984. What would I expect to find, in terms of control and traction system?
If I understand things correctly, it would have a can type motor, with a rectifier in the tender and a wire tether linking them. There might be a “Sounds of Steam” in the tender, which would be similar to the RailSounds on my K Line loco. There would be an electronic reverser in the tender, and electronic whistle and bell.
have I got that correct?
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I'm not sure that Lionel ever put a reverse unit in their tenders. When it comes to 1984 production, it all depends on the engine as to what you'll find. "Better" engines had mechanical e-units, AC/Universal motors, MagneTraction, and The Mighty Sound of Steam... possibly with a "whistle".
Lesser units were plastic, had a CAN motor, and a drum of BB's rolling in an offset axle making a kind of cheap "chugging" sound.
Jon 
I’ve found it now in the Trainz “Guide to MPC Large Steam Emgines” and you are correct, it has the mechanical e-unit, Mighty Sound of Steam and electronic whistle. So much detail to learn!
The drum of BBS sounds pretty dire!
Rockershovel posted:The drum of BBS sounds pretty dire!
I have a private theory that someone at MPC developed that tender to annoy parents of young children. Sort of like the folks who design toy drum kits... 
As a side note, I just dug one of those tenders out. The original traction tire had crumbled away, but a couple of rubber bands do the job... 
Mitch
I view the early 80's as a time of change. During the MPC years Lenny Dean (an original Lionel employee) had worked for Fundimentions and had an influence on product direction. I believe that it was Lenny who convinced the company to reissue the F3 diesels, the GG1 and showed them that a major part of their toy production was being purchased by collectors. The company later added some higher end engines to the line. Eventually Richard Kuhn stepped in purchased Lionel and took things to the next level. I believe that this was the beginning of rail sounds.
People who design toy drum kits should be hanged from the nearest lamp post, at least until a designer of toy cars with singing jingles can be found to take their place... and I speak as a proud grandparent!
I’ve just fitted a rubber band as a replacement traction tyre on a Lionel 4-4-2, seems to be holding up just fine. Plenty more bands in the bag, too...
Rockershovel posted:I’ve just fitted a rubber band as a replacement traction tyre on a Lionel 4-4-2, seems to be holding up just fine. Plenty more bands in the bag, too...
I have a bag of small black rubber hairbands. 2-3 of them make an effective replacement traction tyre on, for example, Lionel Birneys...
Rockershovel posted:I’ve just fitted a rubber band as a replacement traction tyre on a Lionel 4-4-2, seems to be holding up just fine. Plenty more bands in the bag, too...
It won’t last very long. I have had new rubber bands dry up and crumble without use and just sitting in a drawer for a year or two. Running down a dirt-collecting railhead, a rubber band will last a few weeks or months as a traction tire.
Neoprene traction tires last years.
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