Someone had to open this can of worms. I'm pretty low rent, so my list doesn't have any high-end products on it.
1. Scale F-3's in conventional. Nice engine. I have the Santa Fe AB combo., and wish I could find another A. Perform very well.
2. Docksider. Great little engine. Pulls more than one might think, and smoked up a storm on my old layout. I like the "whistle", but most don't.
3. semi-scale mikado. Very well proportioned and a great runner.
4. semi-scale berk. same as the mike. For a small engine, it looks good and mine operates well.
5. 0-4-0. Cleaned up tooling from the postwar-era. No other reason except I like mine.
I would like to include the great scale products, but I don't have any, and really can't recall seeing any in person. The latest issue of CTT makes me wish I could afford/own some of them, but reality comes into play. Please feel free to add the higher end products so people like me can drool.
I'm waiting for the Top 5 thread on future Lionel engines Anyway, my pick is similar to my postwar pick:#1 Scale S2 turbine with wireless link to tender.#2 Scale S2 turbine with wired link to tender.#3 S2 671 turbine from the Century Club release.#4 S2 turbine from the Fallen Flags set.#5 Scale S2 turbine from the Joshua Lionel Cowen group that has Legacy and all the newest features.
I know....#5 doesn't exist....yet. But if I were a betting man, I would bet that we will see re-releases of the S2, GG1, Hudson, and a bunch of other high end locos, now that Legacy has come out. Hopefully, Lionel will have fixed the Legacy problems by that time Dep
Virginian Railroad
Here is my list for the top 5 modern traditional engines that I currently own.
1. MTH #765 Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire-awesome looks, the best sounds for MTH
2. Lionel #700 Wabash 4-6-4 Hudson-command control, great sounding multi whistle effect
3. Williams # 6630 C&O 4-6-4 Hudson-smooth runner, nice paint scheme and smoke unit
4. Lionel #4000 Berlington Route 4-6-4 Hudson-my first one with Railsounds, durable smoke unit
5. Lionel #8620 Illinois Central 4-6-4 Hudson-tough looks, will pull stomps if given the chance
If I still owned my Williams S-2 Turbine that would have been number 1. Maybe I will find another one just like it some day.
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
1) Lionel JLC Series Challenger, awesome sounding whistle and chuff
2) Lionel Legacy Big Boy
3) Lionel 100th Anniversary Gold Hudson, the classic sacle Hudson commemerating Lionels 100th Anniversary
4) Lionel Century Club 2 Empire State Express Hudson, great Railsounds and looks
5) Century Club 726 Berkshire - classic Lionel that will spin the tires ! No magnetraction or traction tires allowed.
1) Thomas for attempting to bring the masses back to toy trains
2) Polar Express same the reason--Oviously the prime reason is they make Lionel MONEY!
3) 18240 Conrail Unit train, just like it!
4) 18052- Penn Torpedo-- Like that one too!
5) Congressional set and CP set. Love em both - I can't afford the real PW ones so these are Great!
6) 2008 Vol II 31777 Pennsy GG-1 set with Madison cars. I am waiting for this!
7) 51014 Red Comet On order and waiting!!
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