What do you guys think of Lionel postwar celebration series?

[lionel2986]

I am thinking of thinning my collection and buying one or two quality sets instead of keeping a bunch of my inexpensive engines and rolling stock. I would consider myself an operator more than a collector. So when Lionel came out with new "postwar" engines, I was a bit excited. I do about all my shopping on ebay, therefore I cannot see how these engines run in real life and can't compare them to real postwar engines prior to purchasing. My question is, how are they different from real postwar engines? Do they have the same "feel" and "soul" as real postwar engines, but with modern technology such as rail sounds and trainmaster command control? I particularly like the PWC Pennsylvania GG1 congressional set. I may be able to afford a congressional set, and a set from the early 90s. I consider early 90s Lionel great value because I got into this hobby in 1990 and remember how expensive these trains were as they first came out (such as the $600 Conrail SD-60, currently $200). Now I can finally afford them.

[Jumijo]

I like the PWC series. The locomotives are basically the same as the past but with updated sound and command systems. Many, if not, all, even have the old style open frame motor.

What I think Lionel should be doing is this: Instead of putting out one or two sets per year, they should consider making the PWC series a permanent part of their line. A "Lionel Classics" line if you will. It would be similar to the Williams Golden Memory series. Who better than Lionel to manufacture reproductions of their post war locomotives? I'd suggest a 726 Berk, a 2046 baby Hudson, some F3s, etc, as retro locomotives that Lionel should offer every year.

Jim

[1688torpedo]

 I think the Postwar Series is super!   I have some of the Freight Cars from the series & the #58 Great Northern Snow Plow & the #53 Rio Grande Snow Plow also.My only complaint here is that Lionel Should use the #480 Series Diecast Trucks on all of their Postwar Series Freight Cars instead of the Diecast Sprung Trucks they now use. They do use the #480s on the Operating Milk Cars & Barrel Loader Cars & a couple of others & thats about it. & ALL Postwar Series Engines have the Open Frame Pullmore Motors with the exception of the Girls & Boys reproduction sets they came out with.Overall, I think they are worth buying if you're interested in postwar & do not want a old beat up train thats 50 years old. Take Care.

[Frank53]

"What do you guys think of Lionel postwar celebration series?"

On reading this question, I made a 900 call to Miss Cleo, who consulted both Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell from the hereafter. They both concur that "ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby"

[sulafool]

Frank is right! I like the PWCs also, but the originals do have a "soul". If you hold a genuine postwar in your hand and quietly admire it you can begin to imagine its history--sometime a long time ago some little kid was thrilled to death to receive it new. From there it managed to survive any number of situations...hard use, long term storage, rescue from Mom's tossing it in the trash, change of ownership x number of times, all the time just waiting to live again. Every little nick and scratch has a story. Many of them have survived their original owners for any number of reasons. And, if the train happened to be yours all along then you know its history and can fully appreciate the memories it contains.
Some will advise to shelve the oldies and run the new ones instead, but to do so is like banishing your elders to the care of strangers when there is still plenty of life in them. Maybe they don't have all the latest noisemakers and features, but to see, hear, and smell a postwar train run laps around a layout is like looking into the past without a time machine.
Pardon the sentimentality, but 'tis the season you know...

[Dave Farquhar]

but to see, hear, and smell a postwar train run laps around a layout is like looking into the past without a time machine.
Pardon the sentimentality, but 'tis the season you know...

No kidding. Last night my wife and I had my Dad's Lionel 2026 running around the tree pulling a few postwar cars, and after it had been running a while, I could really smell the combination of the smoke, ozone, and oil. I said something about it, and of course my wife looked at me like I was more than half nuts. But it reminded me of Christmas 20 years ago, when Dad pulled them out for the first time and we first ran them together. Or 13 years ago, when Dad set it up in the basement again just before I came home from college for winter break, and every night when I came home from work I could hear the train rumbling through the basement. So I went and bought him some Plasticville so he'd have a nicer town for the train to run through. That was his last Christmas.

That's where these things get their soul.

[nblum]

While it's absolutely true the postwar locos and other equipment have a distinctive feel, look, sound and even smell, the PWC series is very nice if you want your "postwar" trains to look new, and/or you like the modern electronic command control and sound systems.  There's a place for both in the marketplace and on many layouts.  You can even buy postwar celebration items from MTH and Williams if you don't mind the "wrong" name on the side of the locos and rolling stock :).  There's plenty of stuff to go around for every taste and pocketbook these days. 

I'm looking forward to the Lionel Prewar Celebration Series (exists only in theory right now), when they finally release the 269 set they cataloged earlier this year.  Hopefully additional items in tinplate will follow.

[Frank53]

. . . it reminded me of Christmas 20 years ago, when Dad pulled them out for the first time and we first ran them together. Or 13 years ago, when Dad set it up in the basement again just before I came home from college for winter break, and every night when I came home from work I could hear the train rumbling through the basement. So I went and bought him some Plasticville so he'd have a nicer town for the train to run through. That was his last Christmas.

That's where these things get their soul.

You are so right.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[3railguy]

I would buy one PWC set and get first hand experience. To me, the real stuff rules but it may not rule for you if you like all the new electronic stuff.

It is better to buy one high end train than a bunch of low end trains for the same total cost.

[Frank53]

It is better to buy one high end train than a bunch of low end trains for the same total cost.

well, I'm not so sure about that.

For roughly the $1500.00 I might spend on a high end Lionel steamer, I could buy:

The post war 221 Dryefuss Hudson I just purchased - $91.00;

A post war 746 N&W for about $800.00;

A 232 New Haven Alco for about $75.00;

A 209 New Haven Alco A-A set for about $450.00;

and about a dozen post war Lehigh valley hoppers in black or marroon to make up the difference.

Given a choice, I'll take that line up of post war originals, which is about half of my long term want list. 

[Jumijo]

but to see, hear, and smell a postwar train run laps around a layout is like looking into the past without a time machine.
Pardon the sentimentality, but 'tis the season you know...

No kidding. Last night my wife and I had my Dad's Lionel 2026 running around the tree pulling a few postwar cars, and after it had been running a while, I could really smell the combination of the smoke, ozone, and oil. I said something about it, and of course my wife looked at me like I was more than half nuts. But it reminded me of Christmas 20 years ago, when Dad pulled them out for the first time and we first ran them together. Or 13 years ago, when Dad set it up in the basement again just before I came home from college for winter break, and every night when I came home from work I could hear the train rumbling through the basement. So I went and bought him some Plasticville so he'd have a nicer town for the train to run through. That was his last Christmas.

That's where these things get their soul.

Amen, David. I'm hoping my children will have similar memories of us and toy trains when they get older.

Jim

[4kitties]

I prefer the originals except when I can't find them in the condition I want for what I'm willing to pay.  Example: the 6262 red wheel car and 6407 flatcar with missile and Mercury capsule.

I also buy the PWCS version to have while I'm actively searching for an original.  Example:  the 6413 Mercury Capsule Carrying Car.

Then there's the PWCS 2328 Burlington GP7.  I got that one LNOB for under $200 and it's a jewel, with Pullmor motor, TMCC/RS, and a great-looking original-style paint job with better silver paint than I'm ever likely to find on an original.  I guess my bottom line is that the PWCS pieces are nicely done, they have their place, I like 'em just fine and I don't hesitate to buy them.  Did I confuse you enough?

Joel