Another little Review - Lionel 0-6-0 Docksider

[Dr. John]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Dr. John, I got mine through Train-Yard.net.

[Dr. John]

Who is a good source for the Lionel docksider?

[Anonymous]

I purchased two of the docksiders last year and have really enjoyed them. They put my old
postwar #41 to shame in detail and running ability.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Old,

Seems like someone, MTH or Right of Way? made Docksiders without traction tires. The MTH model, if I remember right, was pretty pricey though, well over $100, don't think it even had front coupler. If not mistaken, think the Lion 0-6-0 has them, however, a big big plus IMO

The Right-of-Way Docksides were, far and away, the best Dockside switchers made in O gauge, to date. Smooth and quiet runners, with excellent detail. I had a couple of them at one point, but sold them some years ago when I changed roadnames.

The Lionel Dockside comes in a close second, in my opinion, and ranks first when one considers that it costs less than $100. The only real weakness of Lionel's model is that gawdawful whistle, which sounds more like an old-fashioned bicycle horn or some such. I don't know if it's prototypical or not--don't really care. All I know is it is really pretty obnoxious sounding and I just don't use it. My Lionel models have no problems negotiating Atlas O switches.

I rank the MTH model (I also have two of them and they DO have operating front couplers) as third simply because of the strange noise these locomotives make when running. The noise is caused by the grooved driver wheels--an effort to avoid traction tires. Some don't mind that noise, but I do. I guess I've been spoiled by quiet-running, contemporary, can-equipped engines.

[Anonymous]

I like my Reading Lionel 0-6-0. They have the prototype for that Reading engine at the railroad museum of PA in Strassburg. The Lionel version is not an exact copy of the actual engine, but it is pretty close. Guess the rivet counters would not call it a prototypical model, but it sure is close to prototype.
This is a picture of that reading engine as it existed as a real life working switcher engine for the Reading. It is now on display at the museum:


David, what do you think? Is this prototypical enough, or not there yet?

I like the engine but wish it was capable of much slower speed operation. I run strictly conventional, so the TMCC upgrade would not help me, but it sounds like a great thing for the command control guys.

[Anonymous]

the lionel dockside is awesome!

[FJ and G]

Old,

Seems like someone, MTH or Right of Way? made Docksiders without traction tires. The MTH model, if I remember right, was pretty pricey though, well over $100, don't think it even had front coupler. If not mistaken, think the Lion 0-6-0 has them, however, a big big plus IMO

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the complement about the review.

I also like the Williams 44-tonner - but, like its Lionel predecessor, it's anything but prototypical. It's more like a "144 Tonner" in size. But there’s lotsa room under the hood for upgrades, though.

How about a more scale size 44 Tonner for the same price? Pure scale would be pretty small, though...

Another bit about the Lionel "Docksider" - since I let my son use it, I've temporairily removed the diecast front steps to save them from getting broken in play. They are easily removed for storage by loosening the two small phillips head screws that hold them on.

[FJ and G]

nice review; I still would like to see a prototypical locomotive offered for $50; bet it would be a runaway hit. The Williams center cab comes close to that price

[Anonymous]

Hey Ernie, are there coil couplers to go with the TMCC conversion to fit this beast? It just looks like the coupler slots in the body wouldn't clear a coil. Might need a custom job....

Thanks for the heads up!

[lionel2341]

Just to give you a heads up, TA Studios showed the prototype
TMCC upgrade board for the Docksider, and should be available soon.

Ernie
R&D Engineer
TA Studios

[Anonymous]

First let me thank my local hobby shop (Trains and Things in Ewing, NJ), where I actually purchased this wonderful little beast for catalog list price. The man there saw the light in my son's eyes and actually set it aside for us until birthday time rolled around.

This little tank engine is solid. Very solid. Runs well, reverse well, smokes well. Looks beautiful to me. Every now and again there is a magical product that manages to cross the line between scale and toy. This is one of them. It is a very respectable scale model, and a great toy. It pulls like a mule. This morning, on my floor layout, it was pulling a "pretend broken down" PW 1615 switcher (in neutral) and tender and a large mixed consist of PW and modern freight cars, like eight of them + the 1615. Forward, backwards, no problem.

It's a little iffy (dropping into neutral) through some of my more ancient 022s - it's better than a beep - but just a little. Turning the e-unit off is the temporary solution - the flywheel carries it right through - unlike the beep. The rollers are nicely spaced - it's those traction tires that are causing the trouble. I think it's something I can cure by tuning/cleaning the 022s to within an inch of their lives. Some of them were born 20 years before I was.

The whistle works great, but the tone needs a lot of work.

They're going sell a lot of these. It's as good a deal at $99 as the beep is for $50. Maybe better. There will be many roadnames. It will head many nifty sets. I believe this was one of the products in the mysterious “folder" that Clyde Coil was alluding to - it's very traditional - yet very innovative in its own way. A TMCC version for less than $200 will positively knock socks off.

It's a little engine that has a lot of heart and soul. It's just plain fun to run.