Modifying M10000 for narrow curves?

What is the catalog number?

Is this a copy of the Lionel set from 1936, or is it a Premier scale model, or...?

It is the MTH Lionel Corporation M10000 PS-2 from 2008, 20-2926-1.

I bought an original M10000 on the forum and took a hard look at trying to modify it-gave up the idea. you would ruin it.

Unfortunately, this is an example of doing the improbable.

I have a Lionel Rail Chief set which uses the same car and body design, and it definitely won't negotiate tighter than O-72 curves. I've tried O-60 on Fastrack, and I got some scratched areas where the wheels hit the body rim.

Modifying it to fit more than half of what it was intended to go around would be more trouble than its worth.

You could cut each car in half and add more wheels.

That is why the MTH Pioneer Zephyr and Lionel Jr. are much shorter cars.

Laws of physics apply even to model trains.

Buy a Railking M10000 and you will be OK.  I have a 1936, MTH scale M10000, and Lionel Centry club.  It is not worth destroying a set. 

This catalog number is the Premier scale version of the loco. It is not the catalog number of the Lionel corporation remake of the prewar tinplate set.

The best suggestions have already been made - buy a RailKing and don't mess up/destroy this one.

I agree. When I got mine I tried straights between 054 curves but it didn't work.  I saw that you would have to start cutting body panels for clearance and there was no guarantee that would work !!  I bit the bullet and put in 072 curves, just had enough room but it cost me $100. Worth it, run the train almost every day.  Sell the old one but I would keep it, never know.