Top 5 postwar engines?

[RockIsland52]

I am unfamiliar with the motor and drivetrain differences between the postwar GP7s and the GP9s.  Are there differences?

Thanks,

Jack

[TRAINCAT]

The GP-7 and GP-9 are the same thing with the exception of the dynamic brake that is cemented on top of the bodies.

Train Rat

[ezmike]

Jack,

If I'm not mistaken it is the same set up as your 2031 Rock Island Alco, dual axle magna-traction, lever down e-unit and horn.

Mike

[PostwarMan07]

1. 726 I have a 1946 and 1947 versions, both look great.

2. 2343 F3 very strong

3. 2321  long and strong

4. 671/2020  smokes like no other

5. 736  good magnetraction

 

Why is it that the turbines smoke better than others?  Ive heard this before from others and always wondered why.  How is the chuffing action produced with these engines?

[Berk765]

1. 726 I have a 1946 and 1947 versions, both look great.

2. 2343 F3 very strong

3. 2321  long and strong

4. 671/2020  smokes like no other

5. 736  good magnetraction

 

Why is it that the turbines smoke better than others?  Ive heard this before from others and always wondered why.  How is the chuffing action produced with these engines?

The chuffing action is produced by a lever that pushes a piston up and down. I guess they smoke more because the piston puffs faster because of the really small driving wheels. I have seen one run and they puff like a machine gun when going fast.

[Berk765]

I have always wondered why some folks pick the 726 over the 736.  I thought the 736 was a 726 with magnetraction.  Is there some other significant difference that would make the 726 better then the 736?

Earl

You are right. I guess people picked the 726 Because of looks mainly but that is just opinions. I wish Lionel could have put Baldwin disc drivers on the 736.

[Kooljock1]

5.  Virginian FM TrainMaster.  Size, color, smoothness of operation...

4.  Any of the cast-frame NW-2 switchers.  And yes, you can disconnect the bell if you must!

3.  #675 w/die-cast two wheel trainling truck: incredibly smooth motor, hansome "Baldwin Disc" drivers.

2.  Any of the twin motored GG-1 electrics, but mine would have to have Brunswick Green paint!

1.  #736 Berkshire: sized right for O Gauge layouts, smooth runner!

 

Jon  

[runtime]

5.  Virginian FM TrainMaster.  Size, color, smoothness of operation...

4.  Any of the cast-frame NW-2 switchers.  And yes, you can disconnect the bell if you must!

3.  #675 w/die-cast two wheel trainling truck: incredibly smooth motor, hansome "Baldwin Disc" drivers.

2.  Any of the twin motored GG-1 electrics, but mine would have to have Brunswick Green paint!

1.  #736 Berkshire: sized right for O Gauge layouts, smooth runner!

Jon  

I relate well to 4 of these 5, in part, I guess, because I have some version of #5, 3, and 1.

I would still vote for any early twin-motor F3 over the NW-2 switcher - powerful, smooth, good scale, an iconic '50's design.  While I have an AT & SF NW-2, it's not a diecast bell ringer. Yet it's difficult to imagine that those two characteristics would change my opinion.

Totally agree on the GG1, including color.

[Dub]

Instead of going with the cadillac class of voting I'm going with the rambler.

The Scout since it put many "First's Train Sets "under the tree. My favorite version is the 1130 with an upgraded motor.

The 200 series Alco's I love the hollow sound they make on those tubular rails.

The 2026 Prairie with it's long production run.

The gang car. It probably was a second engine to many a set.

The 520 it is unique in Postwar but it mimic's the prewar style in plastic. It's weird and someday I will get one.

[EIS2]

Well, I don't know much about the Diesels, or postwar steam but here is my list of guesses for the steamers.

1.773 Hudson

2.746 J-class

3.726 Berkshire

4.671/681/2020 Turbine

5.736 Berkshire

6.646 Hudson

7.2055 Hudson

8.675 Pacific

9.2026 Prairie

10.1666 Prairie

You've got to admire this "Top 5" list.

Earl

[Berk765]

Well, I don't know much about the Diesels, or postwar steam but here is my list of guesses for the steamers.

1.773 Hudson

2.746 J-class

3.726 Berkshire

4.671/681/2020 Turbine

5.736 Berkshire

6.646 Hudson

7.2055 Hudson

8.675 Pacific

9.2026 Prairie

10.1666 Prairie

You've got to admire this "Top 5" list.

Earl

Thanks.

[mgmlodi]

My top 5 postwar engines include;

1. the 2020 and 681 turbines. They run well with little or no problems.

2. the 624 diesel switcher. Pulls lots of cars easily.

3. the 2065, the poor man's Hudson.

4. the 675, it's still on my wish list.

5. the GG1, I have a Williams version, but there's nothing like the Lionel originals.

[ogauge]

Again, limiting to ones I have.

 

726 Berkshire with 2426W diecast tender 1947 (others are fine too)

2343 Santa Fe F-3 AA set (These just look awesome and have a beautiful finish the new engines don't)(Actually sold both sets of these and wish I hadn't!!)

624 C&O switcher  (Great, Great runner and near scale to boot).

671 Turbine 671W tender (1946) Great engine smooth runner.

2329 Virginian Rectifier (any of the Geeps are good runners)

Honorable mention:

675 and 2466WX (Great engine SMOOTH runner like the prewar engines Love it)

2031 Rock Island Alco set  (Great SMOOTH runners just need more power) 

[runtime]

Again, limiting to ones I have.

 

726 Berkshire with 2426W diecast tender 1947 (others are fine too)

2343 Santa Fe F-3 AA set (These just look awesome and have a beautiful finish the new engines don't)(Actually sold both sets of these and wish I hadn't!!)

624 C&O switcher  (Great, Great runner and near scale to boot).

671 Turbine 671W tender (1946) Great engine smooth runner.

2329 Virginian Rectifier (any of the Geeps are good runners)

Honorable mention:

675 and 2466WX (Great engine SMOOTH runner like the prewar engines Love it)

2031 Rock Island Alco set  (Great SMOOTH runners just need more power) 

Any list including an F3, a 675 and a Geep is ok with me.

[RockIsland52]

OK, I'm moving ahead to complete my list with #3 and #4.

3.)  The Rock Island 2031 ALCo FA-1.

I'm shamelessly biased on this pick.  It's because I've got one, and I prefer the lesser known road name (RI) and striking color scheme (Red over black).  The postwar Midwest deserves to be represented, and this railroad survived for some 130 years.  The ALCo represents to me the real world battle between EMD (General Motors) and General Electric for the (1,500hp) diesel market at a time when steamers were on the way out.  If you look at the pics in the 2031 thread, you will see that the detail on the FA-1 ALCo was pretty close to the real deal.

Consider the era.....Dad hopefully came home from one of the WWII theaters.  405,000 did not.  Looking for a job, any housing that could be found, going back to school on the GI bill.  Families were started or expanded (Baby Boomers).

The O27 ALCo was a less expensive diesel toy train alternative, allowing more of the masses into the hobby (postwar) who could not otherwise afford the wonderful F3 product offerings, might otherwise be sitting on the sidelines.  So many of us had one as a first or second train engine, and wasn't it primarily about the kids from the manufacturers' perspective back then?  I've got a lightly run C7-8 UP 2023 Anniversary, but the RI has seen the incredible miles and has proven to be bullet-proof durable to this day. 

While not a prodigious hauler like a dual motored F3, this single-motored lighterweight got the job done when postwar layouts were generally Dad-built on a 4X8 piece of plywood or smaller, sprayed green with hand-made tunnels and tressles.  The length of the consist was not a hot button at the time.  And who could afford the extra cars anyway?  A day when father and son could spend quality time together.

This engine choice is not as popular or as prestigious, but the ALCo FA-1 represents so much of the actual postwar train audience of the day that it can't be left off my list.

Very Close Alternate: the Erie ALCo 2032.  Same reasons as above.  Black looks sharp, another Midwest regional pick.  

2031 ALCo FA-1 Rock Island AA (1953-1953 later version shown, dimple on roof).

4.)  The 2331 Virginian FM Trainmaster

While the real world trains started to move into hood units (versus cab units), the FMs represented the most powerful (2,400 hp in a single engine).  Although it was not the first Trainmaster to be released, I like the 2331 Virginian Trainmaster because of its distinctive blue over yellow paint scheme.  Add in dual motors, magnetraction, and lighted headlamps and number boards at both ends, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more detailed postwar engine.  I like the 3 axel trucks and the handrail detail too.  There are a lot of very nice GP7 and GP9 hood units out there, but I don't see any that match or surpass the FM in detail and power.  No, I don't have one of these either.

# 2331 Virginian FM Trainmaster     

Jack

____________________________________________________________________________

OK, you've got me, so I'll stick my toe into this cauldron with just 2 picks, not 5.  I am taking the "price and rarity is no object or part of the consideration" approach.

 

1.)  F3: If I could only select 1 diesel.......2245 Texas Special AB.

OK, it isn't dual-motored.  Got that out of the way.  But, I like the 2245 Texas Special F3s because of the stunning paint scheme, B unit, and the conversion possibilities to a dual-motored engine set.

Geedub's TS shell restoration thread http://cs.trains.com/forums/1505856/ShowPost.aspx got me going on the TS (again), including his link to his pictures.  A must see for everyone.

Other posters/threads like ogauge regarding the addition of a motor and power truck to a TS dummy B unit.  Or adding a second powered A unit.  These threads and posts got me thinking even more.  Ideal outcome....Powered A Powered B Powered A.  Don't know if a trasformer could get it moving, but the possibilities. WOW!    

Very Close Alternate:  2343 SF F3 AA Warbonnets, what's not to love?  It's got it all....the most F3 detail, dual motors, magnetraction.  One of the most famous and storied in real life.  The GM connection. There's a link with this one to my childhood, wanted one ever since.  Add in a B unit and power it while you are at it.

This is not to say I don't like any of the other F3s, these are just my preferences.

# 2245 EMD F3 Texas Special AB

  

2.) Steamer:  If I could select only one steamer.....the 773 scale Hudson.  I just love what it looks like....detail, the size, and what it does.  From the detail on the boiler to the open cowcatcher, plus arguably the nicest tender Lionel ever built (2426W).  Funny I don't read much from posters about its pulling power.  No matter.

Very close alternate:  726 Berk from 1947-1949 because of the 2-8-4 set up, the sharp Baldwin drivers, and the smoke unit (versus bulb).  It just oozes "powerful."  Even though it didn't have magnetraction.  Cindy Crawford has a mole, but that's ok too.

 

Picture courtesy of riplionel. #773 Hudson.

Jack

[PostwarMan07]

Thanks for the great descriptions of your picks.  As this thread has gone on my opinions of some engines have changed in both directions.  I guess theres different ways to value something... price vs product, performance/looks, best overall engines, the ones that most interest you, and sentimental value as well.  I wasnt thinking in all spectrums when I made my first list.

So, heres MY new list with some details:

1.   2343 / 2353 Santa Fe F3s with the 2343C B Unit ---------- These engines were on my "wish list" since I was a kid.  I didnt know about the FMs, scale hudsons, or GG1s yet.  Just remember seeing them at hobby shops and had a lot of them in HO as well.  The B unit is a must with these engines!  I love the indian head symbol on the side of it.

Even though the A B A set is about 40 inches long, it can run on 031 with no trouble.  The magnetraction also is a plus for going around sharp turns faster without a disaster occuring.  I have 2353s and can pull about 40 cars with no trouble!  Dont forget two operating couplers for switching!  Lots of detail, power, and not outragously priced for a VG to EX pair.

2.   726 Berkshire with 2426 tender ---------- No collection is complete without a big diecast steamer.  Throw in nickel drivers, a metal tender, no reverse switch sticking out of the top of the boiler and you have a great engine.  There are some negatives with this engine though.  Lack of magnetraction and the 1946 smoke unit on my 726 are disapointing at times.  Im ranking it so high because you can have all the magnetraction engines you want but everyone should have that one engine that looks great running regardless of how many cars are behind it.  Also can get one for about the same price as the F3s if you look around.

3.   2321 Lackawanna FM trainmaster --------- Big, powerful, and a great roadname.  Love the maroon and gray.  From what I have been told they pull better than the F3s.  Throw a bunch of 6456 maroon LV hoppers behind it and you have one good looking train.  A few negatives are the price and that they dont look great on 031 curves.  Need a bigger layout to really enjoy these engines IMHO.

4.   681 turbine ---------- Since I have my engine with nickel drivers Ill go with the magnetraction on this one.  Would have no problem with a 671 though.  For a while I didnt like the look of these but they have grown on me over time.  Need the 12 wheel pennsylvania tender to make this complete.  Very cheep compared to other top engines.  Only issue I have is that it looks more 027 than O gauge.  I dont know why lionel made them so small.  Should be bigger IMO.

5.   6250 seaboard NW2 switcher ---------- I gain more and more interest in these engines every day.  Love the colors on these engines along with the overall body style of the NW2s.  Pretty sure they have magnetraction and the two couplers are a definate plus as well.  Pretty fairly priced compared to other higher level engines.

 THE 773 HUDSON IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME RIGHT NOW.  WOULDNT BE DEVISTATED IF I NEVER GOT ONE AS LONG AS I HAVE THE 5 FROM ABOVE...