Lionel Super Chief Set or Western Pacific F3 AA set

[FEClionel]

Well which would you pick? The new Lionel PWC series Super Chief Set for $700 preorder price or Lionel's Western Pacific AA F3 set from a few years back for $599(leaves more $ for more trains). Which is a better deal - I would guess the Super Cheif set b/c it comes with aluminum passenger cars but, I heard the Western Pacific are collectible. Which would you pick

[Anonymous]

I've got PWC Western Pacfic AA F-3's with the later replacement shells from Lionel and they are one of my favorite engine combinations. They look great and they run fantastic.

The new Santa Fe Super Chief set appears to be another interesting set from the PWC series. I'm sure that it will look very impressive with those red stripe passenger cars behind the war bonnet F-3's.

My advice would be to buy what you like best and try not to worry about the collectability side of purchase. It seems very difficult to speculate which items will be the most collectable in the future. If you like the complete Santa Fe set,then thats probably the way to go.

[FEClionel]

My gut says go with the Western Pacifics b/c of the price and the fact they are beautiful. The Santa Fe's are awesome b/c for $200 more I get a 4 pack of aluminum cars. Have to decide by Thursday - The last day to preorder for 2005 vol 1 catalog.

[FEClionel]

My gut says go with the Western Pacifics b/c of the price and the fact they are beautiful. The Santa Fe's are awesome b/c for $200 more I get a 4 pack of aluminum cars. Have to decide by Thursday - The last day to preorder for 2005 vol 1 catalog.

[3railguy]

$599 seems a little steep for the Western Pacific AA's. Try to get them with the revised shells. They were hard to get for awhile but they've cooled off. The black trucks and red stripe cars make the PWC SF set unique. The PWC set will probably come with better sounds and cruise control. Personally, I would go for the WP's but not sure I'd want to pay $600 for an AA set.

[FEClionel]

Sorry guys the hobby shop guy called me back today and said he would sell the Western Pacific F3's for $399. Compare that to Santa Fe Passenger set.

[Anonymous]

I guess in that case I might have to lean towards the WP's for $399. But any time you can get a new AA F-3 set with four aluminum cars with warranty for $700 you really can't go wrong .

[3railguy]

QUOTE: Sorry guys the hobby shop guy called me back today and said he would sell the Western Pacific F3's for $399. Compare that to Santa Fe Passenger set.

In that case, you should maybe go with the WP's if you like them better and if they have the right shells. Or find out for sure if Lionel is still offering free exchanges. What James is saying is true though. But then Santa-Fe F-3's are all over the place. Lionel made California Zephyr cars about ten years ago. They would be ideal for the WP F-3's.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

I don't know. I am a fan of the Super Cheif otherwise known as the "Warbonnet". I also think the Western Pacific is Flashy, however, I have only seen them advertised in the Februrary 1999 issue of Classic Toy Trains, and I have never been able to track down a pair.

But, if you want the Warbonnet, Williams has reproduced that exact set Lionel has, but at $500, and you can buy an addon pack. Or you an buy them separatly.

Williams has also reproduced the Western Pacific, and has made a set of passenger cars to go with it. The set is the same asthe Wrbonnet $500. You can also buy the pieces seperatly.

Hope I helped

Bert and Mary Poppins aka Nick

[Anonymous]

Bert,

Your information is helpful but I think, from his other posts, that hes looking for TMCC models... I may be wrong

[FEClionel]

Yeah I'm looking for TMCC models. I have to say for new in box $399.99 sounds like such a great deal and I have to jump on it. I have to say that the 2383's are not my favorite Santa Fe's but they look really nice with the passenger cars. Tomorrow I must have a decision before 7pm so I can preorder the Santa Fe Set or take the WP's before someone else does.

[Anonymous]

FEClionel,

Bear in mind that if the WP's have the original shells, these engines are not as appealing as the ones with the revised shells that came out later. The main differences are painted logos on the front of the engines instead of stick on decals, the addition of grab irons on the front of the engines, and the absense of the MPC style ribbing on the bottoms of the engines sides.

The last time I looked these replacement shells were going for around $125 on ebay, but I think they've gone down a little since then. Without the replacement shells they still look pretty good , somewhat like the 2355's, while the revised shells look more like the earlier 2345's. I think it all boils down to personal preference.

[Anonymous]

FEC, Plase email me if you can get the chance. Thnaks.