MPC Era U36B 8755

Probably represents a previous shell swap...might have been a Frisco or Burlington Northern - or something else, once upon a time.

Be careful swapping on that model - easy to scratch the shell with the railings.

And - hard to get the railings in position to remove the shell without bending them or loosening the rivets that hold the railing to the frame.

I've been using wood shims to push the railings clear of the shell - probably a better way.

Roving Sign posted:

Probably represents a previous shell swap...might have been a Frisco or Burlington Northern - or something else, once upon a time.

Be careful swapping on that model - easy to scratch the shell with the railings.

And - hard to get the railings in position to remove the shell without bending them or loosening the rivets that hold the railing to the frame.

I've been using wood shims to push the railings clear of the shell - probably a better way.

 

That’s a good point. I never would have thought of the turned in ends scratching the sides of the shell. I asked the seller for some more pictures before it ships. Looking at the close in one the handrails look spot welded like my 8801 not riveted. This may turn out to be a later run from the 80’s and have been a 5 number engine. There were multiple variations of the engines when mine was made: dc 2 motor electronic e unit, dc single motor electronic e unit, ac pullmor magnetraction mechanical e unit. Only time will tell. At least it’s good to know I can use an older dummy with turned in hand rails if I want to. 

Your diesel was made in 1977 thru 1978. There was a non-powered unit made also. #8756. You could purchase both items separate.

I slide a business card down each side of the cab before removing it from the frame, works for me and no scratches.

jim sutter posted:

Your diesel was made in 1977 thru 1978. There was a non-powered unit made also. #8756. You could purchase both items separate.

I don't think this engine is as built. Its suppose to have silver cast trucks and a yellow frame/hand rails. I'm trying to make a matching paint scheme for my 8801 but not have consecutive road numbers on it. I finally have a donor, and with a shell swap can make a real pair and have a one off thats operational as well with the donor shell from the dummy.

Yup, somewhere along the lines, a shell-swap was made.

Your unit's current black frame would be from a 6-8955 Southern, 6-8962 Reading or 6-8155 Monon.

This is the instruction sheet that came with your loco:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/70-8659-250.pdf

And this is the service manual page for it:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ts/11776Complete.pdf

Note that it does NOT have Magne-Traction, but rather traction tires.

TRW

In addition to the other suggestions, I keep two index cards handy when swapping shells on these MPC locos.

8755 and 8756 (pwd & dummy) both came with Silver trucks and yellow frame.

8801 was an ugly duckling with black dual motor mounted trucks and a black frame and was hard to find at the time (1987 or 88).

Very long time ago had this engine, bought it new.  Definitely made with a yellow frame and silver trucks.

SPSF posted:

8755 and 8756 (pwd & dummy) both came with Silver trucks and yellow frame.

8801 was an ugly duckling with black dual motor mounted trucks and a black frame and was hard to find at the time (1987 or 88).

There’s no doubt that the 8801 is ugly, but it’s what I have from my childhood so I’d like to stay with that color theme. 87 or 88 makes sense though. Mine came from Charles Ro when I was little it was the first major add on to my NPK 8617 steam freight starter set. 

On a side note the seller did get back to me saying it has a single pullmor motor but no pictures he already had it boxed up. 

Santa Fe never had any U-36-B’s which is an interesting side note to the whole color scheme.