MTC Park Train

[dkmc]

I posted this on a machine shop forum, and I wanted to also post it on GJ. It's here in the F&T forum because there will be some fabrication and a lot of rebuilding needed. I recently acquired this Miniature Train Co train and 3 cars. It was built and delivered to it's origional owner in November of 1957, and spent the last 30+ years in a storage container. Production records indicate "240" of these train sets produced, and supposedly about 70 still exist with possibly 50 in operating condition.
The engine weighs about 2200lbs and it runs on rails 16" apart. Power is a Wisconsin V4. I've been researching, searching, and collecting info on these trains for 30+ years as well, and never imagined I'd ever be able to make everything line up to be able to own one. I will post to this thread from time to time with updates. I don't expect it to be a short term project. Thanks for looking.

 

[txvwnut]

That is the coolest thing right there.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

This is awesome! Those are my favorite locomotives and one of my all time favorite color schemes on the Southern Pacific Daylight consist. I'm looking forward to seeing them fully restored!

 

[IndyGarage]

Very cool. Are you going to restore it, or get it in running condition?

I might suggest finding a way to replace the V4 with something more reliable - How about a Honda motorcycle engine?

 

[LXCam]

Count me in as hooked. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck and keep us posted please.

 

[dkmc]

Very cool. Are you going to restore it, or get it in running condition?

I might suggest finding a way to replace the V4 with something more reliable - How about a Honda motorcycle engine?

They picked the Wisconsin V4 purposely because of the long stroke and sound. At idle, with the whine of the oil pump gears, it does sorta give the illusion of a real diesel locomotive idling and the sound of the turbo-supercharger "whistle". So no, I will never consider replacing the Wisconsin V4. And to note, it is in no way any favorite engine design of mine, but I want to keep that part of it original. A motorcycle engine? That's interesting. Perhaps 2 V-twin Honda industrial engines close coupled crank to crank?

 

[tarmy]

In!

Please post up lots of pics…

 

[Jayman17]

Very cool project, are you going to lay out a track eventually and run it?

Jay

 

[dkmc]

Very cool project, are you going to lay out a track eventually and run it?

Jay

Rail is very expensive, but I do have about 4 acres of land. New rail from China is around $10 PER FOOT- $20 per foot of track. Used is around $4 per foot....if you can find it. It would be awesome to build a track. I don't know if anything will ever develop with that or not. There is track on the ground within 10 miles of my place but I haven't approached that yet.

The engine in the engine turns over, my plan is to yank it and see what condition it's condition is in. Take off the pan, clean it, try to get it running. Perhaps before the snow flies.

 

[BMoscato]

Very interesting, I'm following to see where you go with it.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Hell Yeah.

Contact Gil at the Miracle of America Museum... he has one that he ran on the 4th every year.

 

[dzahm]

that is bad ***- I would love to have one- (actually I would probably just leave it in the garage and drool over it) but I think that would definetely be the envy of the neighborhood-

I get leaving the engine original- but if it was modded I would think a kubota diesel would be a cool repower (mainly the diesel part so it would be a "real" little diesel engine) but really doesn't matter- its so cool as it is. If you do build tracks for it - I would be willing to pay just for a one time ride- (I bet you could actually charge neighbors/kids/tourists to ride that thing)

 

[IndyGarage]

They picked the Wisconsin V4 purposely because of the long stroke and sound. At idle, with the whine of the oil pump gears, it does sorta give the illusion of a real diesel locomotive idling and the sound of the turbo-supercharger "whistle". So no, I will never consider replacing the Wisconsin V4. And to note, it is in no way any favorite engine design of mine, but I want to keep that part of it original. A motorcycle engine? That's interesting. Perhaps 2 V-twin Honda industrial engines close coupled crank to crank?

Yeah, I'm generally a stickler for keeping things original. My stepdad had a skid steer with one of those Wisconsin v4's in it, and it was seemingly always broken. I was just thinking you could find a motorcycle engine with more reliability and more power.

 

[VOH]

They picked the Wisconsin V4 purposely because of the long stroke and sound. At idle, with the whine of the oil pump gears, it does sorta give the illusion of a real diesel locomotive idling and the sound of the turbo-supercharger "whistle". So no, I will never consider replacing the Wisconsin V4. And to note, it is in no way any favorite engine design of mine, but I want to keep that part of it original. A motorcycle engine? That's interesting. Perhaps 2 V-twin Honda industrial engines close coupled crank to crank?

If one would consider a motorcycle motor, he must also consider the best milwaukee motorcycle motor constructed, and use a big twin harley. All kidding aside, that is a super cool little train!

 

[Milton Shaw]

There are a lot of train clubs out there that might be able to point you toward some track. Google live steam trains and you should be able to find them. A lot of zoo's had those trains 50 years ago and might still have some track in storage so check around. That V4 was a very strong engine and came on a lot of equipment. The only one I ever had to work on was off a 40's hay bailer that you cranked with a hand crank on the front. I got it running two or three times before I gave up doing anything with it. With an electric start it should not be a problem. The one I had had been in the weather for 30 years or so and everything was rusted up.