The Mystery MPC 2214 US Steel Bridge

Yup, that's one of the two early versions of the "banner-boxed" 2214 bridge. The other, of course, being the "knocked-down" version that required assembly in the smaller box.

Truthfully, there are a ton of early MPC items -- locomotives, rolling stock, accessories, sets/outfits, one-of-a-kinds, etc. that have never been properly documented. Over the years, we've figured out most of them, but the answers on others are still elusive. As it sounds like you're learning, there's a bunch of interesting discoveries to be made.

The sad part is that it's been 30 years since the last in-depth Greenberg book (I proof-read it as a teenager!) was published covering the early 1970's. Unfortunately, I tend to discount the Doyle book due to some credibility issues. Not much else has been published in the intervening years, although I've contemplated putting a few things together for the TCA Quarterly. 

TRW

NICE bridge!

@PaperTRW posted:

Yup, that's one of the two early versions of the "banner-boxed" 2214 bridge. The other, of course, being the "knocked-down" version that required assembly in the smaller box.

Truthfully, there are a ton of early MPC items -- locomotives, rolling stock, accessories, sets/outfits, one-of-a-kinds, etc. that have never been properly documented. Over the years, we've figured out most of them, but the answers on others are still elusive. As it sounds like you're learning, there's a bunch of interesting discoveries to be made.

The sad part is that it's been 30 years since the last in-depth Greenberg book (I proof-read it as a teenager!) was published covering the early 1970's. Unfortunately, I tend to discount the Doyle book due to some credibility issues. Not much else has been published in the intervening years, although I've contemplated putting a few things together for the TCA Quarterly. 

TRW

This is a fantastic reply! Thank you! 

John,

Interesting find, thanks for sharing!

@EMD posted:

John,

Interesting find, thanks for sharing!

No problem!

@Tinplate Art posted:

NICE bridge!

Thank you!

@PaperTRW posted:

.. I tend to discount the Doyle book due to some credibility issues...

Weren't some of Ambrose's "ringers" carried over into Doyle's books?

@ADCX Rob posted:

Weren't some of Ambrose's "ringers" carried over into Doyle's books?

Nevermind. I just saw your response in the "The Lost 8023 MPC Alco" thread.

Ambrose still has collectors trying to hunt down a 2026 with Baldwin Disc wheels.

Hi John,

Being a former US Steel employee I have one of those, too, although mine has been used and I don’t have the box.  Attached are photos.  I didn’t know they are rare.

I also have a box full of the post-war #214 USS girder bridges with 3 different variations. 

Bill T

@WftTrains posted:

Hi John,

Being a former US Steel employee I have one of those, too, although mine has been used and I don’t have the box.  Attached are photos.  I didn’t know they are rare.

I also have a box full of the post-war #214 USS girder bridges with 3 different variations. 

Bill T

 

 

Nice piece! They are indeed hard to find

@ADCX Rob posted:

Weren't some of Ambrose's "ringers" carried over into Doyle's books?

Yup. That's apparently what led to the skirmish that ensnared the TCA.

@WftTrains posted:

I didn’t know they are rare.

They're not common by any means, but if you wait long enough, they do turn-up.

And judging from the photos above, it looks like they were assembled with both natural brass (John's) and blackened (Bill's) eyelets.

TRW