What's your favorite train/set from the Lionel Richard Kughn Era? (1987-1995)

[statistician]

I agree, the D&RGW SD-50 "AA" units with 4 Pullmor motors and 24 wheel drive are pretty awesome, its a shame they never re-used the semi-scale SD50 design after 1995. 

I also really like the 1987 Conrail Limited set, still waiting for Lionel to make a matching dummy SD-40 for that set  

 

[tim o'm]

I would have to say m favorite is the Warhorse Hudson Freight. The "704" as it is referred to on the box. It's a 4-6-4 Santa Fe with TMCC, four weathered Santa Fe boxcars, and an excellently detailed caboose. I bought the add on "Chief" boxcar, too. It's my first exposure to TMCC sound, and I was immediately impressed.

[nickaix]

 I think I would have to say the Rock Island 5100 northern. It was our first BIG engine, and even though its hardly a scale model, it sure looks good at the head of a long string of Standard O cars. It can pull stumps--one of the small set of locos that can pull a train of Postwar aluminum cars up our grades.  And it smokes up the whole room while it's doing it!

But its real claim to fame is the story behind it. It's my little sister's engine. Dad saw it at a meet, had to have it, and bought it for HER (because he felt guilty buying it for himself) even though she was still in the womb!  

Didn't rub off, unfortunately. She has no interest in trains what-so-ever 

[rtraincollector]

I have a Lionel 6-18563 Lionel GP-9 2380 NYC got it about 2 years ago it has TMCC ( one of the first model to have this new TMCC thing back then) 1996 I love this engine it has great sounds including 2 different horn tones.

[NS1001]

After 22 years - purchased in 1988 - have grown to love the 785 NYC gray Hudson - a remake of the prewar 763 semi scale one. Was disappointed when received back in 88 that it was not painted in gun metal gray - instead in a primer light gray. Also the coupler on the tender kept opening and one of the journal strips on a tender truck kept coming out. After being stored away for 20 years took it out and fixed the coupler with a rubber band, glued the journal strip in for good, and cut the intermittent SOS off with the slide switch under the tender. Runs like a champ.

[wm #734]

I saw this one randomly on Trainz, and I think it looks nice. And for the price they're selling it, it looks like a steal. It's the 6-11745 Navy Diesel Set from 1994-5: http://www.trainz.com/p-182690-lionel-6-11745-us-navy-diesel-freight-train-set-exbox.aspx

[Andrew Falconer]

One Train Set I like is The Soo Line Special.

The Denver & Rio Grande SD50 Diesel with RS/TMCC is great sounding.

The Soo Line SD60 Diesel with RS/TMCC is an interesting unit.

Andrew

[DMUinCT]

The re-run of the Scale Hudson 5344 and of the Scale 0-6-0 Switcher 8976 (re-run as 8977).

[PereMarquette1225]

The American Flyer Missouri Pacific Eagle Alco PA passenger set.  I wish Lionel would make a scale, O-gauge version.

[Seayakbill]

Passenger, Northern Pacific F-3 with aluminum passenger cars

Freight, FarmRail Agriculture set, don't see many of this guy.

[Warburton]

Great Northern F-3 passenger set (with 5 aluminum cars). This was a separate-sale set.

[Mikado 4501]

I think I speak for many Lionel enthusiasts that Richard Kughn's era of Lionel was a time of rejuvination and innovation for the timeless company. I grew up watching those old TM magazine videos "Toy Train Revue" and these trains are loaded with modern memories so to speak. So I'm interested in what your favorites are. My favorite is probably that beautiful 18018 Southern 2-8-2 Mikado Lionel offered in 1992, a gorgeous engine that pulls like a truck and runs like a watch, thanks to its Pittman motor. Not to mention I still love the old RailSounds tech in it. It's definitely one of the best Lionel engines I've seen and had. So, feel free to comment on which of many of the great, or maybe okay, trains from this good Lionel era.