Best prewar locomotive?

[Anonymous]

You can tell my picks will be Ives..........

Standard has got to be the 3243. That is one nice locomotive. However I think the 3235 comes in a close second. It isn't as cool, but let's think about it. It was so successful Lionel kept the line going after they purchased Ives. Not to mention the locomotive was inexpensive enough more people could use it to get into the hobby (much like the Model T was for the automobile).

O guage electric I like the 3250 series. Very versatile.

O guage clockwork is the #25. This baby still fetches a premium. Look at it. Probably one of the few wind-ups that looked close to scale.

That's my take.

[Anonymous]

Lionel 402!

But I am a 248 fan also!

[Anonymous]

PreWar 'O' Gauge...Toss up beteen #248 and #259

PreWar Standard...#408 no contest! (And this coming from an
owner of a #381 that runs great!)

[railfanespee4449]

lionel 259e
LIONEL

[Frank53]

INteresting that everyone who responded had similar comments "runs like a champ", "oil it and go". Not bad for 60-70 year old material.

Ask the same question about modern material and the complaints about electronics, # of chuffs, whistles, and the like would fill volumes.

Simple is better.

[Anonymous]

At least a couple people picked non lionel. I always thought they were overated, but hey oh well. The ives marklin and bing is much rarer.

[mersenne6]

AF#1225 and #1226 - just oil and go. Very smooth runners and all of the odor, noise, and color of prewar tinplate.

Any of the Bing 0-4-0 steam or electric - same reason as above.

[rlplionel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tjsprague

The 226 is one sweet running locomotive.

Here's another vote for the pre-war 226. Was surprised at how smoothl it ran the first time I saw it in action on my layout. I also have a preference for the Hiawatha and UP City of Portland streamliners.

Robert
http://home.surewest.net/rlplionel/Robert.htm

[3railguy]

For me it would be a toss up between a 381E and 400E.

[tjsprague]

The 226 is one sweet running locomotive. I know this was the basis of the postwar Berks, but it just seems to be a much smoother runner.

Tim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dtpowell

The Marklin gauge 1 version of the Swiss Crocodile, circa 1933.

I have to agree with you on that one! There were many fantastic locomotives made during the prewar era, but few can compare to the quality, size and sheer impressiveness of the Marklin krocodile.

[Anonymous]

I second the vote for the Lionel #248 and passenger set. I have this set in original condition and it runs just great! They must have made a bazzilion of these because
I see them almost everywhere and they all look like they have been played with real hard and still run. Cool!

[Anonymous]

The crock is a good one!

[1688torpedo]

Prewar 1688's for running ability & dependability. Also, They look good on any layout.
[:)] ................Keith

[cnw1995]

Why, Lionel's 248 with coach and obs cars of course.

[Anonymous]

The Marklin gauge 1 version of the Swiss Crocodile, circa 1933.

[flyingyankee616]

[:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^][tup][tup] 1935 Flyingyankee[:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Best O gauge: Lionel 700E
Runner up: Lionel 763

Best Standard Gauge: Ives 1134
Runner Up: Lionel 400E

Personal Favorite, O gauge: Lionel 763
Personal Favorits, Stan\dard Gauge: Lionel 408E

[Anonymous]

Ok, more prewar chat, what do you guys think the best prewar locomotive was?
Im partial to the Ives 1 gauge 3239 s-class elctrics, or the Boucher pacifics.Lets hear your thoughts!