Cutest toy train locomotives

[FJ and G]

Guys are not supposed to use the word "cute"; charming perhaps, but when it comes to money and getting your wife or girlfriend to go along with a new locomotive purchase, then the cute factor comes into play.

And BTW, I DON'T consider Lionel's Girl's Train to be cute.

Here are my nominations of "cute".


Beep, Beep
K-Line's Plymouth
Lionel's new 0-6-0
MTH and the old Right-of-Way Docksider
Warbonnet (anything)
Chessie cat (anything)
Gauge One (anything)


dave vergun

[rlplionel]

The only powered units on my layout that anyone has called "cute" are Lionel's small postwar motorized units, such as the small military switchers, ballast tamper, tie jector, gang car, etc.

[guilfordrr]

Good list, Dave, but in my book the Warbonnet paint scheme is more "striking" than "cute".[2c]

[jkerklo]

Any full sized trains you would call "cute?" I can't think of any, even park trains.

Maybe "cute" isn't a word that fits trains. Maybe, this is why trains are mostly a guy thing (with some notable exceptions, Susan.)

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Anonymous]

My wife called a Porter Fireless 0-4-0 "cute". Does that count?
This was after she climbed all over it and thought "it would be
neat in our back yard".

[garyseven]

I like the "I Love Toy Trains" docksider from TM Books and Video.

[jkerklo]

Anyone that has a wife that not only climbs all over a train, but wants one in the back yard is a find, indeed. You are twice blessed: trains and a wife that likes trains.

We can excuse the use of "cute."

But do get her that train!

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Big_Boy_4005]

In my book cute in terms of trains, means not prototypical, and generally small.
The Beep definately qualifies as cute. Any of the whimsical accessories that are made for our trains are cute.

Walther's Piker, and Oscar are cute, though few in this crowd will be familiar with them. , Z scale is cute, even though it may be realistic models, it still counts in my book, because I don't know of anyone that models in it seriously.[swg]

[mersenne6]

I'd have to nominate the American Flyer Prewar #1084 for the "cute" award. The engine has an Elsco feedwater heater, boiler headlight with a lens shade, tapered boiler, sand and steam domes and is finished in a bright Japanned black finish with bright red trim. While this may sound like a description of a perfectly normal steam engine the "cute" comes in for the extreme slective compression that American Flyer applied to this engine. It is so compressed that it looks like a cartoon on wheels.

[Anonymous]

my vote is for the lionel postwar 1615 0-4-0 loco.
i know it aint a perfect thing but if you swap out for a bell ringer or throw some weight in the tender it's a good lookign liitle steam switcher.
with clean rails mine will move 3 madisons.

[3railguy]

My wife appreciates prewar Lionel with its artful form and colors.

[Anonymous]

Anything Chessie, according to the woman who bought the last 3 train cars to come into this house! Who am I to argue as long as she is doing the buying.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Cute? How about:
1. Anything Chessie
2. The Beep
3. Doubleheading Big Boys with a 200-car reefer train going 60 miles per hour on Sherman Hill (oh...sorry [:)])

Most of railroading can't be described as cute. It's either "impressive" (N&W Y6b) or "beautiful" (Daylight-scheme GS-4, Southern Crescent P-4), but usually skips over "cute."

See you around the forums,
Daniel

[spankybird]

I have to agree with Chessie Kitten and also Circus trains. I am also lucky that my wife likes these and she really loves the circus trains.




Here are some of my wife’s favorites.

tom

[cnw1995]

How about those Lionel 2-4-2 (I think) in bright blue plastic for the Blue Comet; or bright green for Southern...

[Dr. John]

I'd like to add the old Marx / K-Line Alco S-2. Also, don't forget the Lionel Trolley.

[daan]

The engines that make me say Oh and Ah:
Marklin prewar livesteam 0 gauge pacifics!
Heavy built, fully working steam valves, powerfull and it's one big chunk of craftsmanship.
Those where the top of the line machines, fully scale engines in looks and driving mechanism. I don't have to fantasy about having one, those still in working order are owned by museums and are not for sale.
(though they are not cute, but awesome!)