Mpc general, part numbers & some help and advice

I went to the lionelsupport.com site and did a search for relevant keywords like "4-4-0" or "General".

It seems as though currently Lionel sells the train set 4-4-0 chassis as a complete unit.  e.g., P/N  650-8505-758

Perhaps in the '90s or early 2000's, they did sell the wheels individually. I found two possible part numbers:  610-8720-087 and 610-8720-088 for the non-geared and geared wheels with grooves for tires, respectively.  Unfortunately the chassis AND the individual wheels are both listed as "Unavailable" or out of stock.

I hope you have an appetite because it might be necessary to practice a little cannibalism!  Find one of these cheap on a popular auction site and take what you need.  If you end up pulling and pressing wheels, be careful to get it on straight and not to bend the axle or it will hop, and some traction will be lost.  Good luck!!

I figured out how to install the boiler bands. An xacto knife can cut through and is about the right thickness. I also took a paperclip, flattened out one end with a hammer on my vise and put it in my soldering iron. I left about 1"-1.250" sticking out, then straightened the slots with the exacto knife after cutting them with the hot paperclip. The rear ones are thick, so this is the easiest way. The second one I did the middle with just the xacto knife. Those little boogers are a p.i.t.a. to put on. But they definitely look better.

I'll look for those part numbers on eBay. You are definitely better at finding things in the Lionel website than I am. I appreciate your time and help.

Bands look great, factory………very nice

Hi Jerry, MPC era parts diagrams (Lionel Supplements) were available for downloading on Lionel's web site for years, and then they disappeared.  Fortunately, they were made available in the thread below, just click on the Gunrunnerjohn post.  Very few have done more for this hobby than @gunrunnerjohn, so thanks again!

how to access Lionel supplements | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogrforum.com)

I have added the relevant pages for the Lionel 5-star general engine in the attached PDF.

try jeff at the train tender (  Welcome to The Train Tender - Internet Reference (ttender.com) for parts.

Your 5-Star general looks great!

Thanks everyone. Jeff was the first place I checked. He had the tires, but not the wheels. I found a set on eBay, I just hop the axle diameter is the same, but it does have an mpc era part number for the one that isn't grooved, yellow wheel inserts, so I'm hoping it's off a redwood valley 4-4-0. $20 bucks shipped, I took the chance.

I looked for the part numbers that Ted S gave, but nothing showed anywhere. If my knew wheel doesn't fit, I'll take my ungrooved wheel and turn it at work.

They definitely look better.

Jerrry

Here is an upgrade done a cheap General 4-4-0 obtained that is Lionel General 4-4-0, 8005 dc powered set with coal tender and Lionel 9541 Santa Fe Railway Agency Express Passenger car.  I added a full wave rectifier and changed the Lionel 8005 to ac operation although in one direction.  A selector switch was added for manual reversal.  The engine was dressed up with gold stripping from a greeting card, a lighted head light and painting all red engine black for the boiler and stack.

A fuzzy picture of Lionel 8005 before painting and dressing up!

The Lionel 8005 was painted, along with the red and silver front wheels and painted domes.  The body and stack were painted Black.  Gold stripping was added to dress up.  Much more beautiful !

Painting that all red  4-4-0 will dress it up.

Charlie