Lionel Western Pacifc, GM demos, KSC or Southern F3 set?

[1688torpedo]

Hello FECLionel ! Check with Fred Sipple to see if he has any F3s that you may like.Who knows.? He may have some of the 90's versions at reasonable prices...............Keith

[FEClionel]

OK guys the reason I ask is because I'm getting married and this could be my last F3 set?! HELP!

[Anonymous]

[:D] I think I would go for the Demo's the can be used with any road name as long as it fits the ERA you plan to model. In my case I have PENNSY and my son likes the SANTA FE so either of us can use them (DEMOS)[8D]

[Anonymous]

FEC Lionel,

Check out E-bay. There is a set of mint GM F-3 ABA Demos at a buy-it-now price of $389. That's a better deal than the one your dealer is offering you. That should give you another option or some bargaining power.

[FEClionel]

Wow this is a hard decision - I really like both but I'm not sure which one I really want to take home. Blue or Green? Postwar or prototypical?

[MartyE]

Some more pics of the Southerns...


AN overview with the Southern and the first few passenger cars!


The Southern 2356 and Century Club Hudson emerge from the tunnel.


As the Big Boy passes by above the Southern starts it trip up the grade at Kodiak Junction.

[MartyE]

I won't say which way to go but I really don't think you can go wrong either way. Let us know which way you decide and then some picture would be in order.

[FEClionel]

Tomorrow is D-Day what should I go with. I've been wrestling between both. Its so hard - I wish I had more $ so I could just get both.

[Anonymous]

Thank you FECLionel!

[FEClionel]

The Southern's and GM Demos are the same price - $449. He has doubles of every set and wants to thin out the stock. Plus he gives me a break since I'm a young guy and repeat customer. Deciding between all of these is awesome but it hards to decide which ones are the best for me of the 2. Originaly they list for $799 in Lionel catalog.

[Anonymous]

FEC Lionel,

How much are they asking for the GM Demos? I believe the Train Shack in Burbank has a set for about $475.00.

I think that these things were much more than that when originally catalogued.

[FEClionel]

Which One???

[FEClionel]

Thanks for the pics! My layout looks very similar to yours and I think I have the same NYC hudson from the set availible in 2000. They look great I wonder why they weren't hot sellers.

[MartyE]

The PWC Southern F3s




I bought these because Dad has the originals. The sound is great and the performance has been what I expected from the AC motors and TMCC. The paint job was very well done. I bought the passenger set to go with them but I am currently seeking the pw freight cars to go with them.

[FEClionel]

OK now its down to the Southerns and GM Demos. I'm leaning towards the GM Demos. I know its trivial but the shells on the Western Pacifics just bother me. Thanks for all your help. I'm a young collector on a small budget so I want to make the right choice. I'm just happy I have so many choices of F3's. 10 years ago or when I was a kid F3's where expensive and elusive. Its nice that I can now decide which new set I want a fair price and oposed to determining which condition I can afford.

[GregM]

Let us know which engines you decide to buy. I might be interested in the GM Demos if you decide not to get them.

[laz 57]

I have the KCS and they work great need a B unit though.
laz57

[3railguy]

QUOTE: The more I try to narrow it down the more I get confused - I want something that will stand out as the definative must have for a cornerstone beginner Lionel collection.

The Western Pacific scheme is a pure classic. Go for it.

[FEClionel]

I think what appeals to me is that you hardly ever see the GM Demo anywhere in CTT for sale or at any deal - they must have made a small amount. Second the fact that I can get the Western for such a cheap price is amazing so I'm stuck there - plus the color scheme is awesome. Finally since I live in the South the look of the souther appeal to me. The are hardley any non-western or North Easter Lionel products. The more I try to narrow it down the more I get confused - I want something that will stand out as the definative must have for a cornerstone beginner Lionel collection.

[Anonymous]

Silver Western Pacifics sure look good on the front end of a string of aluminum 2500 series passenger cars !!!

[FEClionel]

I like the GM Demos b/c they can be added with any cars and 2500 series passenger cars. I like the Southerns b/c of their Postwar History and ABA look. I like the Western Pacifics b/c they are great looking - but I don't like the fact they come with the original shells not the updated ones(side lines on bottom of shells-MPC era plus the cheap looking decals/stickers on the front end). I'm not digging the KCS anymore they are pretty but the fact you can't find a B unit is no fun.

[GregM]

If I had to choose between the choices listed I also would opt for the GM Demo units.

[tschmidt]

I would like to see a pic of them all. Can anybody post them?

Tom

[Anonymous]

I am with Chris. The GM demos do go with anything, and are unusual looking as well.

[3railguy]

It would be a toss up between the WP's and KCS's units with a nod toward the WP's. Both are great looking engines. The WP's look good hauling passenger cars as well as freight where the KCS engines only look good hauling pass cars.

[Anonymous]

GM Demo, runs fine with everything

[FEClionel]

Last week I posted this question and everyone said Western Pacific's well they are the first run styled after the 2355's. Well I haven't made a purchase yet but on saturday the dealer said he would match the price of the Western Pacific 18191, Kansas Citry Southern 14500, The blue GM Demos ABA 14512, and Southern ABA 38188. Which would you pick? I know the ABA sets are the best value for the money but which is the best deal. I wish I could have them all - I will be running the F3 set for limited use with PWC rolling stock mixed with postwar rolling stock. I just want a nice set to compliment my new and old lionel and the be the focal point on my limited collection.