Lionel LionChief Doodlebug vs MTH Railking Doodlebug

@Gene H posted:

I have an early Railking Doodlebug with Proto 1.0 and thinking of purchasing a Lionel LionChief Doodlebug. My question is that the MTH version shells were prone to shattering because of very thin ABS plastic. Did Lionel solve that problem? Thanks to all in advance for your help.

I would say they did.  I don't buy MTH so I can't compare but I have two Lionel Doodlebugs and have removed the shells of both to add people and the shells seem to be very sturdy.

As an FYI, I am actively engaged in a repaint of an MTH Doodlebug (from ATSF to GM&O), and have not noticed any "thin-ness" to the plastic body, and I have handled it a bunch in the repaint/decal process. I bought it from the MTH parts booth at York in 2005 or so, gutted of boards and motors, for $20. When the new Lionel D'bug showed up in GM&O, I said "Hmm - I've got a dummy, I've got the paint and I've got the decals... Plus I added some front detailing. I also prefer the original MTH bell (the detail piece on the roof) to the rather clunky Lionel one.

It -has- been a pain, though. Painting diesels and the like can be so tedious.

I don't think the shells are thin, I think there was some formulation of the plastic that made them brittle.  I've seen a couple that were shattered over the years.  I actually bought a set of these and when I got them, the shells were cracked in several places.  They were packed well in the factory boxes, but they broke during shipping anyway.  I managed to glue them together fairly well, you probably wouldn't notice unless you were looking for it.

I have the PRR LC Doodlebug. Had the shell off to add passengers and do a paint job on the interior. One of my favorite engines.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I don't think the shells are thin, I think there was some formulation of the plastic that made them brittle.  I've seen a couple that were shattered over the years.  I actually bought a set of these and when I got them, the shells were cracked in several places.  They were packed well in the factory boxes, but they broke during shipping anyway.  I managed to glue them together fairly well, you probably wouldn't notice unless you were looking for it.

Yes I bought a pair in a auction site a few years ago and both the power and dummy unit arrived with the fronts shattered. Hopefully Lionel will also do the dummy unit.