Review: 3rd Avenue Trolley by Lionel

[Kooljock1]

I picked up this sweet little trolley at The Big E show in Springfield, MA last weekend:



She's a super-smooth runner, with many improvements over past versions of Lionel trolleys. Detail improvements include nicer looking bumpers, twin-sprung trolley poles on the roof with hold-down brackets on each end, and protection grates over the windows.



Here's a closer view of the added on window grates and new roof details.



Underneath is a single slider in place of roller pick-ups. While I'd certainly pay a little more for higher quality rollerss, this seems to do the job just fine.



Here's the new Lionel trolley pictured next to one using the original Post War tooling. The big difference here, and in the shot above is in the mechanical construction of the bumpers. On the original and it's off-spring, there was a mechanical slide that ran the length of the trolley that worked as a reversing mechanism. This required quite a "hit" to activate the reverse. On the new version the bumpers are separately applied, and activate a hidden micro-switch to reverse the unit. This allows for two major operating improvements: reversing at lower operating speeds, and therefor fewer derailments when hitting another motorized unit!







Considering the great leaps in detail, operating up-grades, and plain-old play-value, I found this piece to be a great addition to my layout. I ran her for over an hour with my PWC Fire Car and PWC Gang Car without a single derailment or pause in the action. This is MUCH better performance than either the PWC units or earlier trolley which would sometimes stall on the turnouts, or get stuck between directional modes by not gettin hit hard enough.

I bought this unit for $59 for Grzyboski.

Jon

[Jumijo]

That sure is a beauty!  The added details look great. And the price is super! I'm not a trolley guy per se, but I could see myself getting one.

Jim 

[FJ and G]

Nice review and price.

[laz 57]

JON,

  Got one on Sat. and yes it runs great also like the LED lite on front.  When lites are off looks real COOL.  Got mine for $52.

laz57

[HopperSJ]

Great review and shots!! I think I saw it at the show. I paused long enough to drool before my wife and kids were darting out of sight in the crowd. Did you enjoy the show? I did.

[Jumijo]

JON,

  Got one on Sat. and yes it runs great also like the LED lite on front.  When lites are off looks real COOL.  Got mine for $52.

laz57

Where, Laz?!!! 

[Anonymous]

WOW that is awesome!

I just had my PostWar #60 Trolley completely rebuilt... $69.50 with shipping... the armature was rewired as was the field... runs like a champ now, even at 8-10 watts!  This one would look really nice on the two line trolley line with the PostWar #60... seeing that I'm going to need another trolley now!  Thanks for the review and the pics were awesome!

Brent

[Dr. John]

Excellent review and photos, Jon! You ought to be writing for CTT!

[cnw1995]

Very nice. Interesting to compare this to the Corgi Birney:

[laz 57]

JON,

  Got one on Sat. and yes it runs great also like the LED lite on front.  When lites are off looks real COOL.  Got mine for $52.

laz57

Where, Laz?!!! 

JIM, at my train shop,

BARRYs TRAINS                                                                                                       2West High St.                                                                                                    Elizabethtown,Pa.                                                                                               Phone is 717-367-4745

laz57 

 

 

[laz 57]

JIM,  maybe cause I bought 3?  1 for me and 2 for my brother, I got the discount.

laz57

[Anonymous]

JIM,  maybe cause I bought 3?  1 for me and 2 for my brother, I got the discount.

laz57

I wish I was Laz's brother!

[wrmcclellan]

The Christmas version released this past season is the same platform - a bit less detail, and runs as nicely as Kooljock describes. Nice job Lionel!

[Kooljock1]

Dr. John,

I'd LOVE to work at CTT! I've got passion, marketing experience, writing experience, AND it would mean moving to a WARMER CLIMATE!!!

Jon

[Dr. John]

Jon, if you can't get on at CTT, Lionel should hire you to write ad copy. I ordered the Trolley today. Maybe they'll give you a commission!

[Buckeye Riveter]

JIM,  maybe cause I bought 3?  1 for me and 2 for my brother, I got the discount.

laz57

Laz, You never told us the BEAR was into trains.

[wrmcclellan]

Buckeye,

It was the bear that got LAZ the discount

[laz 57]

Buckeye,

It was the bear that got LAZ the discount

YEP,  scared the H E DOULBE HOCKEY STICKS out of BARRY, he had no choice.

laz57

[Warburton]

Kooljock -- well, you sold me! Ordered one from Charlie Ro. Looks like a winner. I had to pay $59.95, but that seems reasonable for a nice piece like this.