Weirdness with the Lionel 671 Century Club

[Deputy]

Just grabbed one off E-bay. Prices are absolutely INSANE!!! I paid $394 from Trainz for mine, which is actually fairly reasonable for a NIB. They are being advertised for anywhere from $500 up to $1000 on E-Bay.

But beyond that...the 671CC really has some strange things about it. For instance, it has oiler linkage on it. But no oiler linkage ever came on a 671 postwar. That was only installed on the 682. Then there's the keystone emblem on the front. Instead of saying 6200 like the postwar locos say, it says 671. The REAL S2 number was 6200. Moving back we have the tender. While it's correct for the early 2020 S2 and early 671s, the more common tender is the 2046/2671 version. And Lionel must have got some complaints because they released a 2046 tender for the CC loco later on. I just bought one of those for $250. Which, it appears, is a good price, considering some places are selling them at outrageous prices too.

The good news is the 671CC is pretty loaded...

• Powerfull Pullmor motor
• TrainMaster Command Control equipped
• RailSounds digital sound system with TowerCom and CrewTalk announcements, and more
• Magnetraction
• Brilliant headlight
• Fan driven smoke unit

There's one more S2 turbine I don't have. That's the 3Rd Rail version. But the price on them has been pretty steep on E-Bay. Here's one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/3RD-Rail-Sunset-Brass-Pennsy-S2-Steam-Turbine-6-8-6-NEW_W0QQitemZ110111800052QQihZ001QQcategoryZ78179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dep

[wrmcclellan]

Hello Dep,

This is a sweet little loco with a very nice fan driven smoke unit (possibly Lionel's first). The CCI locos were advertised as what I call contempory reproductions of certain key locos in Lionel's PW heyday. They did indicate that there would be certain enhancements over the originals. Part of that was to ensure that the new units would be unique as compared to the originals.

The 671 was originally released with the earlier style of tender and I do not recall any complaints leading to the other tender. The later style tender was offered as a relevant companion addition (as Lionel did for most CC items) before the 671 shipped.

[Deputy]

Hello Dep,

This is a sweet little loco with a very nice fan driven smoke unit (possibly Lionel's first). The CCI locos were advertised as what I call contempory reproductions of certain key locos in Lionel's PW heyday. They did indicate that there would be certain enhancements over the originals. Part of that was to ensure that the new units would be unique as compared to the originals.

The 671 was originally released with the earlier style of tender and I do not recall any complaints leading to the other tender. The later style tender was offered as a relevant companion addition (as Lionel did for most CC items) before the 671 shipped.

 

Thanks for the info Roy. I think I read somewhere about the 2046 being released because of demand by the CC members, but I could certainly be mistaken. I've got both the big S2 turbines Lionel released later on. Haven't even uncrated them yet.

Dep

[Jumijo]

Hey Dep,

Do you have a Williams S2? They offer a 671 and a 681. I have one of their 671s. It pulls like all get out AND will smoke you out of the room. I think I paid $175 for mine. JustTrains sell Williams cheaper than any place I know of, and they offer fast, FREE shipping. How can you hate it?! I use them exclusively now for Williams purchases.

Jim

[Deputy]

Jim: Nope. Got a couple of Williams GP9 but no steam locos. I checked the Williams website and it shows the 671 in stock and the 681 out. Both look identical. They would be good as everyday workers rather than using the Lionel locos. I've got a couple of MTH S2s and I really like them. Especially the smoke and lighted tenders. Sounds are nice too. They have the turbine sound down to a science.

I may grab a Williams S2 and see if it can be modded into TMCC and sounds. I think there is a website somewhere where they actually give you different sound/control options on Williams locos. Got it somewhere in my book marks. Thanks for the heads up!!!

Dep 

 

[cwburfle]

As I recall, Lionel did not try to make any of the Century Club items exact reproductions of their original counterparts. 

[tmcc man]

Dep, when I read the ebay page, it stated that the loco comes with QSI sound. The only engines that come with that usually are 2 rail O scale. I don't think that's what you are looking for. Just looking out for the little details.

[Deputy]

As I recall, Lionel did not try to make any of the Century Club items exact reproductions of their original counterparts. 

Well they certainly succeded with the CC671!! Not only does it not represent anything they made in postwar, it doesn't represent the real loco either

But I'm not really complaining, any S2 is fine with me

  

 

[Deputy]

Dep, when I read the ebay page, it stated that the loco comes with QSI sound. The only engines that come with that usually are 2 rail O scale. I don't think that's what you are looking for. Just looking out for the little details.

Colin: Hmmmm...interesting. The seller doesn't state if it's 2 rail or 3 rail. I know QSI also made 3 rail sound because Protosound 1 on MTH is QSI. But you're right about it being an unknown. I'd have to message him and ask what the loco is made to run on. Thanks for the heads up!!

oops...just spotted this in the description:
This is a 3rd Rail Sunset O scale 3 rail Brass S2 Steam Turbine. 
So it SHOULD be 3 rail...I hope

Dep