Lionel Docksider, Good-Bad-Indifferent

[dougdagrump]

I am considering buying one in the the Christmas Colors and was just wondering about feedback. Another possibility would be a Christmas RS-3. Anybody have either one or both? [8D]

[Dr. John]

If you are referring to the recent Lionel 0-6-0 Docksider, I have one and I'm very pleased with it! It's a great runner with good smoke and excellent proportions. One of the best engines out there for the price!

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of Lionel's Dockside locomotives, including the "North Pole Central" version that you appear to be interested in. Excellent little locomotives in every respect, and a good value, as well. Personally, I would recommend the Dockside over the RS-3, unless a diesel is what you really want. I'm kind of partial to steamers.

[dougdagrump]

Allan, I tend to lean to steam but I was also considering the Christmas RS-3 because it has dual motors as opposed to a single in the docksider. It will see some run time at the museum so I was thinking also about pulling power and longevity on a large layout.

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of Lionel's Christmas RS3s (red roof and green roof versions), but must admit that I haven't compared them with the Dockside. One of my RS3s is new-in-box and has never been run; the other is essentially new, but it arrived (some years ago) with a gear that has a missing tooth. Never did take the time to get it repaired yet. Hard to say whether the RS3 or the Dockside would hold up better over periods of prolonged operation because there may be other variables involved, but my guess is that either would probably be fine.

I also have Lionel's Christmas GEEP (among many other O gauge Christmas locomotives), and never was able to use it because it has Magne-Traction and wouldn't even pull its own weight on nickel-silver track. However, I'm using FasTrack on this year's Christmas layout, so it should do fine. I plan to hunt that box down this coming weekend and see if I can finally put it through its paces. I've always been kind of partial to that GEEP because it has a flashing warning beacon on the cab roof. I'm a sucker for flashing lights.

[Anonymous]

I have a docksider and it is GREAT. I have never had any trouble with it. I have the first release Santa Fe version. The horn is a little grating but otherwise thumbs up. On a huge layout it seems it would be best with a shorter train but weight wise I am sure it weighs more than the RS3. It's a nicely detailed directional headlighted good running little metal brick.

[Anonymous]

My vote also goes to the 0-6-0 docksider. I have one and it runs perfectly and smokes great. I've had it pull a 9 car freight line without anykind of problem. For such a small engine it is extremely strong.

[laz 57]

GREAT little engine smokes good has a buzzer for a horn but otherwise its ok.
I have two of em.
laz57

[Anonymous]

DJSpanky, I like your "Nightmare Before Christmas" themed layout. I guess technically it is "Christmas before Halloween"......

On a similar subject I just got some after halloween discount accessories at Big Lots and Micheals for next years halloween layout. It is amazing how quick these are gone I 'm sure I'm not the only person doing this. I went to Micheals a week before halloween and everything was already on clearance. The things that are left are 75%off.

[Anonymous]

Even if I'm echoing what has already been said, I find it worthwhile to praise Lionel's little Docksider. It's a smooth, quiet runner, pulled 11 cars easily and smokes nicely. The whistle (or is it a horn?) has all but ceased to work. Still, aside from the whistle, it's really good value for the money

[JamesPH1966]

My 2 cents: The Lionel Docksider is an excellent loco for the price! I got my "Reading Shops" Dockside last year and when we test ran it at the shop it pulled a string of MTH HEAVYWEIGHT passenger cars with no problem! I also own an MTH B&O Docksider and a K-Line Porter, but prefer the Lionel product and and likely to own at least one more Lionel soon (I have my eye on the Copper Range Mine set - as I'm a Ore Car junkie too). Buy the Docksider!

[Lafondue]

very good little engine, details are great and run flawless....good smoke and very bright light even has an interior light, the whistle/horn sound more like an industrial diesel switcher but that's ok...CTT had a great review on it last year..think was the december 2004 issue . And sure look great in red...I have the NYC version.

[Anonymous]

The whistle definitely does suck (in my opinion), but I just avoid using it, so it doesn't really distract from my overall satisfaction with this model.

[dougdagrump]

Apparently Lionel is marketing two different models under the same part number. 6-28660 is available with two different paint schemes, one has Santa at the throttle the other has a traditional engineer/fireman. [%-)]

[Blueberryhill RR]

Get the Santa one..Doug. Then you can pull the Christmas train.