Nick,
I think that the Williams F3's with the matching cars is the best on the list.
5) any of the above.
Tough to pick from that group. But me, I like the GS4 Daylight.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
When I first re-entered the hobby 16 years ago, my first purchases were all train sets. The advantage (as I saw it) was I got the extra track I would need, the extra transformers for diversity in powering everything on a layout, the extra locos and cars.
The quality on the Lionel sets today is about as good as it has been in a long time. One thing I notice now is that Lionel has tightened up the tolerance on the snap metal rivets used to hold the plastic trucks on their starter rolling stock... the terrible wobble that was once so common has been eliminated. This has been long overdue, since it is truck wobble that causes derailments especially when backing up a train.
I guess it's just a matter of preference. The Williams locos are all great and when comparing a Williams GP-9 to a Lionel version, the Williams version is the winner hands down in quality and price. I know you didn't mention the GEEP, but it's one example I am familar with. But for an 8 year old boy, I can also imagine how excited he'd be to have more track, more cars and another engine.
If you are not sure about how something actually looks, try looking on eBay. Yes, some sellers use the provided stock photos from the manufacturers, but many do take their own photos and it's a great way to actually see what an item looks like that you are planning to purchase.
To give credit where credit is due, the Williams items always look better in reality than the website illustrations show. And as far as lower end Lionel starter products, I have noticed recently the same trend where they actually look on par if not better than the catalog illustrations. A nice trend that I hope continues.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
You really can't go wrong with any of those. I guess I'd have to go with the Williams Santa Fe F3s and cars or another Lionel set (for the reasons already mentioned).
I have personally thought about buying a Williams J class (similiar to the GS4). Pros-I like the traditional size and look. Reputation to run forever due to being a williams. Reasonable price-Originally sold for around 275 to 300 dollars when introduced, now onsale online for 235 dollars-I've never seen it cheaper. Plus far far cheaper than a scale J class. Cons-no sound beside whistle and bell, and no TMCC. Probably doesn't smoke much. An option might be a nonscale MTH version of the J, not sure if they have a GS4.
Personally, I'd think that a kid might like sounds like Railsounds- Lionel or Protosounds- MTH.
The F3s are absolute classics, but again I'm sort of on the fence due to the above. MTH makes a scale railking version that look like the 1950s, but have Protosounds PS2. Lionel unfortuantely seems to release them only as part of PWC freight or passenger sets that cost 500-800 dollars, depending on road name
The scale Hudson is probably overkill due to it's size, but then again it's probably a good value and I doubt any manufacturer will make it cheaper.
I'd probably pick the Williams GS4-colorful, the action of a steam engine. I'd pick some freight cars that did activity-aquarium car, coal dumping cars, EMD generator car, cop and bandit, etc.. for "play value."
An MTH Railking scale diesel has alot of value for the money-Protosounds-and some have a nice discount online.
I wouldn't buy another Lionel set, unless it was a 500-600 dollar Post War Celebration diesel F3 freight set.
check out trainworld.com for items like the bridge. Also look at justrains.com's website-especially the blowouts pages-some very nice deals from Weaver, Atlas and MTH, as well as Williams.
ep5jet wrote:I have personally thought about buying a Williams J class (similiar to the GS4). Pros-I like the traditional size and look. Reputation to run forever due to being a williams. Reasonable price-Originally sold for around 275 to 300 dollars when introduced, now onsale online for 235 dollars-I've never seen it cheaper. Plus far far cheaper than a scale J class. Cons-no sound beside whistle and bell, and no TMCC. Probably doesn't smoke much. An option might be a nonscale MTH version of the J, not sure if they have a GS4. Personally, I'd think that a kid might like sounds like Railsounds- Lionel or Protosounds- MTH. The F3s are absolute classics, but again I'm sort of on the fence due to the above. MTH makes a scale railking version that look like the 1950s, but have Protosounds PS2. Lionel unfortuantely seems to release them only as part of PWC freight or passenger sets that cost 500-800 dollars, depending on road name The scale Hudson is probably overkill due to it's size, but then again it's probably a good value and I doubt any manufacturer will make it cheaper. I'd probably pick the Williams GS4-colorful, the action of a steam engine. I'd pick some freight cars that did activity-aquarium car, coal dumping cars, EMD generator car, cop and bandit, etc.. for "play value." An MTH Railking scale diesel has alot of value for the money-Protosounds-and some have a nice discount online. I wouldn't buy another Lionel set, unless it was a 500-600 dollar Post War Celebration diesel F3 freight set. check out trainworld.com for items like the bridge. Also look at justrains.com's website-especially the blowouts pages-some very nice deals from Weaver, Atlas and MTH, as well as Williams.
Nassau Hobby Center is showing a Cream & Green Hellgate bridge in stock.
http://www.hobby-search.com/
I'm sure there are others.
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