I doubt I will ever stop praising this little low priced wonder. Whenever it gets a workout the darn thing never ceases to amaze me with it's performance. As Colonel Potter usta say "Not enough O's in smooooth to describe this one!" I challenge anything else of this size to pull what the little Docksider can. It creeps along at incredibly slow, steady speeds considering it isn't loaded with all the latest electronic gizmoes, while also being user friendly over large switches, all of which makes it ideal for use in yards. No wonder there's already aftermarket TMCC upgrades available and if you care to install coil couplers the end result is a very versatile workhorse. If you're already happy with it's smoking ability, which I am, it should be incedible with TMCC. OK, the whistle is....um...questionable.
Let's put one rumor to rest once and for all. Short of the obvious 3 rail compatibility allowances this is a SCALE model of a REAL Alco saddletanker. All the dimensions fall precisely in line with what is illustrated in Model Railroader's Cyclopedia of Steam Locomotives. Only 2 easily rectified issues exist. The whistle is too large and the engine is missing it's compressor on the left front side.
Just in case I haven't made my point clear I kinda like the Docksider. If you don't already have one I'd highly advise making it your next investment in fun. I'm sure you'll be as equally satisfied as I have been with the ultimate in entry level, high quality, scale Lionel.
Bruce Webster
BRUCE,
Great little engine! I have the Reading and Bethlehem, both run great.
laz57
Bruce : you really make that sound like a great little engine !! I'm glad you are enjoying it !! I can't keep track of them all, but is that the one they nicknamed " The Widowmaker " ? I guess they used to blow up all the time, though I may be talking about some other engine. I think that would be great with TMCC & Railsounds in it & coil couplers. I do have the new Atlas steamer ordered but it's not due till April. It could be delayed I suppose but I hope not. Let you know how it runs when get it !!
Thanks, John
Hello John:
I believe the widowmaker was the camelback. The cab (and anyone inside) were susceptible to all sorts of injuries due to its configuration.
Regards,
John O
Laz,
I have the Bethlehem version too...one of my purchases when I was in Hershey 2 years ago. With the prices we have to pay up here I couldn't resist... NIB for $75. The price was only the happy beginning.
brwebster wrote: Laz,I have the Bethlehem version too...one of my purchases when I was in Hershey 2 years ago. With the prices we have to pay up here I couldn't resist... NIB for $75. The price was only the happy beginning.Bruce Webster
WOW, BRUCE great deal. Do you remember where you purchased it at? Got mine for $82.
johnandjulie13 wrote: Hello John:I believe the widowmaker was the camelback. The cab (and anyone inside) were susceptible to all sorts of injuries due to its configuration.Regards,John O
That's right, John !! Now I remember, the Camelback !! Thanks !!
John,
I'm not aware of any nicknames for the Docksider. There's only a short description of it in the Cyclopedia which claims the loco was built by Alco in 1910.
I hope my LHS gets a few of those Atlas USRA 0-6-0's in stock when they're released. As with other Atlas products I'm sure the detail on those things will be superb. Still, I gotta look before I buy but it's my kinda engine!
The fella was selling a variety of train related stuff. I'm sure I'd missed quite a few of his bargons as I didn't come across him until mid day. He didn't have any business cards and I didn't ask. I do recall he was only there one day cuz when I went back the next day to see if he had brought any more stuff he was gone. At the time I wasn't sure how much of a deal I got on it until I checked up here on prices. Sure beats $140 Canadian plus tax.
Bruce webster
csxt30 wrote: johnandjulie13 wrote: Hello John:I believe the widowmaker was the camelback. The cab (and anyone inside) were susceptible to all sorts of injuries due to its configuration.Regards,John OThat's right, John !! Now I remember, the Camelback !! Thanks !!
The Camelbacks were widow makes cause if a main drive arm would break it would come right up through the engineers compartment and then its light out meatball.
brwebster wrote: Laz, The fella was selling a variety of train related stuff. I'm sure I'd missed quite a few of his bargons as I didn't come across him until mid day. He didn't have any business cards and I didn't ask. I do recall he was only there one day cuz when I went back the next day to see if he had brought any more stuff he was gone. At the time I wasn't sure how much of a deal I got on it until I checked up here on prices. Sure beats $140 Canadian plus tax. Bruce webster
BRUCE you got an excellent deal.
I have four of the Lionel Docksides now, and will buy more if they'll dress one up in U.S. Army livery.
A great little engine with the worst -sounding whistle in all of contemporary model railroading (which doesn't really bother me all that much because I never use it).
Just got the copper range one for $65. It was on auction at The Train-Station. Now I need to aquire some ore cars and caboose for this puppy. I also have the NYC one and really like it.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
brwebster wrote: I'm not aware of any nicknames for the Docksider. There's only a short description of it in the Cyclopedia which claims the loco was built by Alco in 1910.
Bruce,
"Docksider" IS the nickname. Technicallly, it's a 6-wheel saddletank switcher (according to the Whyte system), an 0-6-0T.
palallin wrote: brwebster wrote: I'm not aware of any nicknames for the Docksider. There's only a short description of it in the Cyclopedia which claims the loco was built by Alco in 1910. Bruce, "Docksider" IS the nickname. Technicallly, it's a 6-wheel saddletank switcher (according to the Whyte system), an 0-6-0T.
Palallin,
Yes, technically saddletank is the correct terminology. Docksider seems to fall between nickname and the general term for saddletank shifters of various wheel configurations. Whereas nicknames like "widow maker" or "ghost train" have a pet name feel to them, alluding more to the trains personality. IMHO
I may break down and get one, as I think they are pretty cool and the size is right.
I don't need to have several - one will do.
Ironhoarse,
As the old commercial usta say....Try it! You'll like it!
You might even be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Frank53 wrote: I may break down and get one, as I think they are pretty cool and the size is right.I don't need to have several - one will do.
Frank53,
From all I have read about the docksider there just doesn't seem to be any bad press about it. OK, it's got a whistle only a mother could love, but short of that how can you lose? Seems it can easily be had for well under MRSP. If the way it pulls on my level layout is any indication ( have had up to 14 cars in tow) it should handle the grades on your layout. Right now it's effortlessly chugging around the track pulling 5 K-Line Fleet of Modernism aluminum 15" cars.
I just have to suggest the one that says "Lionel Lines " on it & plus, I heard it runs the best on tubular track !!
csxt30 wrote: I just have to suggest the one that says "Lionel Lines " on it & plus, I heard it runs the best on tubular track !! Thanks, John
I'm IN!
brwebster wrote: Ironhoarse,As the old commercial usta say....Try it! You'll like it!You might even be as pleasantly surprised as I was.Bruce Webster
I'm going to try it. Only problem is that my layout is in Michigan and me and the docksider are in Nevada until May. Next winter I hope to have a small layout in Nevada too.
prriscool wrote:I'm glad to hear that! Lionel catalogued a J&L steel slag train with an "Aliquippa Works" dockside engine. I've been watching for it on ebay. Really would like to have. It was only in the 2004 vol.2 catalog. Kinda hard to find.
I went to a local lionel dealer who has a couple of techs that work on locos. One of them told me that they installed the TMCC system from ER for cab1. he said that the loco is too small to cram in electonics for steam sounds and chuffs. Have you heard of anyone installing electro couplers front and rear? Since I model PRR I looked online to see if PRR had 060 tank locos. I have not found a definitive answer yet but I did find a photo of the bethlehem tank loco.
This is the only photo I could find of a PRR tank 0-6-0T.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
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brwebster wrote: OK, the whistle is....um...questionable.
OK, the whistle is....um...questionable.
I beg to differ.
There is nothing "questionable" about Docksider's whistle. It is a total embarrassment!!
Lionel could (and should) have done better.
Other than that...
dead photo link
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