More on Collecting those Early MPC Sets
By Mike Stella
The year was 1971, and I had just graduated from the U.S. Navy Electronic Class “B” School. I was assigned to a Command and Control Ship heading for Viet Nam in January, just a few months away. But at least I got to spend Christmas in Southern California with my future wife.
What did I want for Christmas? That was easy. I wanted the new Lionel Silver Star set with the new Sound of Steam. She thought I was nuts, but on Christmas morning, there it was under the tree, and a few weeks later it was heading to the Gulf of Tonkin.
My sailor buddies also thought I was nuts, but every once in a while I would set up the figure 8 track and play with my train.
Early one morning, about 3 A.M., I heard a loud knock on the door to my radar room and was startled when the ship’s Captain appeared telling me to turn that loud steam train off !!!
I still have that Silver Star set and it commands a place of honor on my display shelves.
Twenty seven years later and still married to the same understanding lady, I think it remains the ONLY train set she has ever given me!
Years later, I purchased a new Silver Star set from 1972 which is quite different. Very recently, I have rediscovered how wonderful these early MPC sets are and even though I have more then I will ever use, I cannot miss a good deal.
Lionel sure made colorful sets with cars in green, red,and blue. The second picture shows my famous War Veteran Silver Star set from 1971 alongside a brand new 1972 Allegheny set. Both contain bright colorful freight cars. The Allegheny set came from an Internet auction last month.
I wish to thank all Lionel Collectors and Operators that ignore the very first trains made by the new Lionel of 1970.
More for me!
