Old Polar Express VS New Polar Express

[RRaddict]

I am hoping someone here can guide me in the right direction. I have a Santa Fe Berkshire with Railsounds, the Berkshire is a weak runner and can barely make it up the standard Lionel trestles. The motor inside is a very small can motor. I would like to replace it with another locomotive with a larger motor. Does anyone have a suggestion for a replacement Berkshire or other. I need to keep it under 300.00. Ebay has a lot but I am not sure what to get. Williams is not suitable as their smokers are terrible. Any guidance would be great.

Thanks.

[TRAINCAT]

You may want to consider having your engine re-motored by Frank Timco. He can turn it into a real runner.

Roger

[Anonymous]

The newer versions of that Polar Express type Berkshire use a much larger motor than the earlier versions.  I have the small NYC Berkshire from 2004, and I can relate about the small motor.  It might be possible to swap in the larger motor, but I can't say for sure since I haven't tried.

A Williams Berk would be my next choice to stay within budget, but I sold the one that I had due to poor excuse for a smoke unit.

A postwar Lionel 736 Berk can be found under $300 (found mine with a 2671WX tender for $175 back when the average 736 was $350+), and they are powered with the 681-100 motor that is smooth and powerful. Their Magnetraction and quality are more beneficial. 

[Curmudgeon]

I haven't seen the insides of the newest 726 re-issue yet, but with the full backhead, right where the 681 motor used to sit, I can imagine it, too, has a small motor.

[RRaddict]

Where can I find Frank Timco?  The engine is absolutely beautiful but the engine sorry. I appreciate the help.

Kev

[RRaddict]

There are a ton of Polar Express Berkshires on Ebay right now so that is a good otion too but how to tell the difference between the old and new model? I was also thinking of purchasing this locomtive on Ebay but I have no clue of how much power it has. I was thinking of one of these two locomotives.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260866023535?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321047427760?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Any imput would be great.

Kev

[TRAINCAT]

http://timkorepairdepot.com/About.html

Roger

[RAVL]

Personally, I would find any good post-war Lionel Berkshire with magnetraction.  You lose the Railsounds but you'll at least have a whistle and you can always upgrade the sounds if that is something you enjoy. 

[rtraincollector]

if your handy you can put a new smoke unit in this one or they will do it for around $40 http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL-POSTWAR-736-BERKSHIRE-STEAMER-W-2046W-TENDER-GREAT-RUNNER-NICE-/160945039436?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item257912684c this is a regular hobby shop I have bought from but here is a post war 736 in good condition.

[RRaddict]

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the New Polar Express Berkshire and the old one with the weaker motor?

Kevin

[Kooljock1]

"I haven't seen the insides of the newest 726 re-issue yet, but with the full backhead, right where the 681 motor used to sit, I can imagine it, too, has a small motor."

The new 726 Berk has exactly the same motor as the original, but no MagneTraction as it has steel tires on the wheels.  (The original 726 had no MagneTraction either)

I have one of the "Baby Mikado" engines which also has a small motor.  I installed an ERRCo Cruise Commander, and it will pull any train I put behind it up and down my Mountain Division.

Jon