Most of the attention in Postwar Lionel always seems to go to the top of the line engines and train sets, but what about those inexpensive entry level ones that are a joy to own and operate. Here is my list of the top 5 Postwar Lionel 027 Engines. What is your list and why?
1. Missouri Pacific Alco 205. Dual axle magnatraction with headlight and dummy engine. Pulls well and with the dummy engine gives you a lot of engine for the price. Quite easy to keep repaired.
2. LV 627 44 Tonner. Single axle magnatraction but with operating couplers on both ends makes it a great switcher for the layout. No headdlight but it's easy to add one or two (for both ends). Plain, Very boxy and grossly oversized but it's so ugly that it's cute. My favorite switcher. I added lead weight to mine and it pulls as well as dual axle magnatraction.
3. MKT 600 NW2. Plain but nice looking NW2 switcher. Single axle Magnatraction, operating couplers on both ends and no headlight.
4. Lionel Lines 520 80-ton Electric. Small very unusual electric boxcab locomotive that is fairly accurate to scale (for Lionel). Operating coupler on one end and nice small runner, it's great for switching too. When people see it they always ask "What is that!"
5. Lionel Lines 2018 2-6-4 Steamer. Attractive cast metal steamer with headlight and smoke. It came with either a whistle or non-whistle streamlined tender with operating coupler. Valve gear is a little more complicated than the typical inexpensive steamer. Runs nice.
6. OK one more. Lionel Lines 2034 2-4-2 Steamer. One of the nicer entry level small steamers, it had a cast metal shell(instead of the typical plastic shell) and metal motor with headlight. It has roller center rail pickup instead of the typical drag shoes.
1) 2031 ROCK ISLAND alco AA set, My first postwar diesel set and just awesome runners!!!
2) 624 C&O switcher, same as above, great motor and smooth runner great puller!!
3) 2025 steamer/2466W tender- great engine, same as a 675 and same motor as a 224/225/226E, just impeccably smooth, if only I could spell!
4)2020 Turbine with 2466W tender. nuff said, great smooth engine!
5)2365 C&O geep-did you realize these werer cataloged as both O and O-27? how cool is that?
special mention
6) 2046 steamer 2046W tender Only mag steam engine on my list, they in general are to noisy and for me and not as smooth and quiet as the baldwin disc motors (its merely a personal preference!)
But hey,
I love them all!
ogauge wrote: 1) 2031 ROCK ISLAND alco AA set, My first postwar diesel set and just awesome runners!!!2) 624 C&O switcher, same as above, great motor and smooth runner great puller!!3) 2025 steamer/2466W tender- great engine, same as a 675 and same motor as a 224/225/226E, just impeccably smooth, if only I could spell!4)2020 Turbine with 2466W tender. nuff said, great smooth engine!5)2365 C&O geep-did you realize these werer cataloged as both O and O-27? how cool is that?special mention 6) 2046 steamer 2046W tender Only mag steam engine on my list, they in general are to noisy and for me and not as smooth and quiet as the baldwin disc motors (its merely a personal preference!)But hey, I love them all!
HMMMMMMMMMMM, Dennis........your #1, the 2031 Rock Island ALCo FA-1 AA, was my very first engine set when I was 5 with some 242X Streamliners. And your #6, the 2046 Hudson steamer with the Berk boiler and the 2046W tender my second when I was 6 with an assortment of freight cars. Have you been poking around in my storage closet?
Dave, the problem, if you can call it a problem, with the postwar Top 5 Postwar Engines thread was that there were no qualifiers.
As Sir James aptly posted early, a loaded question. Another posted that he was taking the "Rambler" approach. Others posted "because I've got one and love it."
I noted that a Top 5 might include trains that were "firsts" that got many into the hobby after WWII when pricier alternatives might have kept them out of the hobby. Housing, let alone living space, was at a premium for the masses. Many of the younger guys just can't relate to those times. No money, no space, big problem.
In real life, postwar cab diesels were coming into their own while steamers were on their way out. Yet the Top 5 Postwars list seems to favor steamers which had been around since the beginning of toy trains. The fascination with them just doesn't quit.
The original 20XX O27 Alcos (to me) were a timely addition to the hobby. That's why I slid my 2031 RI Alco in the Postwar Top 5. Not too big. Not too expensive. Bulletproof. Detailed. Colorful. Operating front couplers. Surprisingly decent haulers with the dual axel magnetraction. And representing the real world move to diesel. Add a rerailer, and this 5 year old was off to the races.
I also noted somewhere that I would be buried with my O27 2046 Hudson, though for the Top 5 I picked the 773 Hudson for the near scale size and special tender. The 2046 is no lightweight and for me was then, as it is now, somewhat of a freight counterpoint to a childhood friend with a dual-motored 2343 SF F3, a car hauling machine with it's stunning passenger cars. If I had to choose between keeping my 2046 Hudson or trading for a 773, I'd keep the 2046. No hesitation.
The Top 5 Postwar Engines gravitated toward a lust list. Hmmmmm, a 1964.5 Ford Mustang or a 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO/LM. Ferrari. Bet you never saw an LM with the sailfin roofline.
I have really enjoy the Top 5 lists because they expand my limited knowledge. I'm glad there was increasing commentary describing the reasons behind the choices. Add pictures, even better.
Now that we have your Postwar O27 list started, I have to go back to the drawing board, though Dennis has my number(s), or at least 2 of them. Hopefully this thread will pull the masses out of the woodwork who were too timid to post to the lust lists.
By the way, I saved the link to your layout video and watch it from time to time when I want to see what really can be done within the confines of 9' x 5' (right dimensions?). More trains and play action packed into that layout than I have ever seen elsewhere, with levels to boot. A must see for anyone in the hobby. Before there was speed control, you had it figured out.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Here's my top 5. Some are not postwar though.
1. 1666
2. 1666
3. 1666
4. 1666
5. 1666
Sorry, couldn't think of anything else.
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
Oooh, I run nothing but 027 engines and stock - I second the nomination for the 520 boxcab, but there are trolleys, 2-6-4s and all sorts of other lovely stuff I have to go look up their numbers ;)
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Dave, a small disclaimer... I'm going to take some liberties on the time frame reference of the best 027 engines...as a solid 027 operator, there are some fine locos that are not from the postwar period and some made by others than Lionel. I base my observations on first hand experience with operation, reliability and price.
My award for the best 027 locomotive EVER is the K-Line S-2. I actually rank it higher than a lot of more detailed, more advanced locomotives also. I have a fleet of them, and have never had any real service issues with them. They have proven themselves to be reliable runners, outstanding pullers, simple to maintain, easy repaint, and add additional details to. Bang from the buck, you can't find a better running, versatile, good performing locomotive in my opinion.
Behind the K-Line S-2, I'd put the other K-Line locomotives: the Alco FA, the MP-15 and the RDC Budd Car.* All of these have similar internal components to the S-2. The Alco FA is far better looking than most modern MPC/Lionel versions. Later, when K-Line enhanced the Alco FA detail level, it became even better. The MP-15 as the very first modern 027 friendly diesel to be tooled up since the postwar era of Lionel. While it has a scale proportioned shell, the frame still says 027. With all the other K-Line locomotives of this type, it is affordable, reliable and a great value for the dollar.
*Now, while K-Line did reintroduce the RDC Budd car based upon the old MARX dies, Ready Made Toys has taken it to a new level. I'd vote the RMT Buddy next on my list and above the K-Line version. A wide variety of roadnames, with enhanced details and basically the same kind of unit as made by K-Line only with improvements. Unlike the BEEP, it has no trouble on 027 switches - which is the only thing that keeps me from including the BEEP on my list.
Next on my list would be the Williams GP-9. With a slightly smaller body than it's Lionel counterpart, and riding a little lower to the track, I actually much prefer the look of the Williams version over the Lionel one, at least as far as an 027 layout goes. It's certainly a good value as are the K-Line locos, but with it's larger vertical motors, better gearing and metal gears no less, it is a much quieter running locomotive than any of the previously mentioned K-Line types. Hard to match the variety of road names too.
Next I would put the basic Lionel 4-4-2 steamer that has been coming in Lionel train sets for ages. Again, a value priced loco that has proven itself to be more than a reliable runner. It also looks right at home on a 027 layout. And for the do-it-yourselfer like me, it can easily be improved on a detail level. On a visual level out of the box, I would have to rank the K-Line basic steamer that came in their starter sets a little bit better. The K-Line steamer is actually a better pulling loco than the Lionel one. The only thing that keeps me from ranking it better is the poor Seuthe smoke unit that is prone to failure, and the decorative side rod detail of the K-Line steamer, that has one plastic piece that is extremely prone to break. But that would stop me from recommending the steamer to any budget runner who is looking for a good priced and good running steamer.
Last on my list I would lump together many of the locomotives made by Lionel MPC. No one will argue, cost cutting measures were taken by MPC on a comparison to similar postwar Lionel. But then again, some of those postwar locos (like the centercab, NW-2 and Alco FA) were made in stripped down versions even by postwar Lionel.
I have a good many MPC steamers and diesels that were gotten a good prices, and with a little common sense maintenance, still run fine. With some of my own custom improvements, mine probably run even better. MPC did do some new tooling using the basic GP-9 frame, to also introduce the GP-20 and the U-36B... the first new diesel types from Lionel in a very long time.
Many dump of the simple 2-4-0, 0-4-0, 2-4-2 plastic bodied MPC steamers that came in starter sets. Again, I find them great candidates for visual and internal improvements - and all of mine easily pull 15 car trains with no trouble. And the 8304 numbered steam engines (which came in several road names on the tender) is another great running 027 steamer for the money. Hard to believe today that the Electronic Sound of Steam that came with those steamers was cutting edge technology at that time.... and mine still works and I rather like the sound.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
1. 2240 Wabash F3 A-B. I have a pair of 2343's, but I fell in love with the 2240's when I saw a pair running on a layout during a local christmas festival. They ran smoothly, and I was allowed to take them for a spin by one of the operators whois friends with my father.
2. 2056 4-6-4 Hudson. I recently traded my 2055 in for this engine at my LHS a few weeks ago and I love it. Its much quieter than my 2055, due to its lack of Magne-traction and it runs great.
3. 2023 Union Pacific Alco AAs. No real reason. I just like them.
4. 601 Seabord NW2. As a southerner I feel obligated to include this engine.
5. 1060 "Scout" style 2-4-2. This engine, owned by my aunt, introduced my to trains, along with a blue bronx zoo operating car, flatcar with autos, and a typical red caboose. I was called over every christmas when I was younger to help set up the train. I spent the day making numerous track configurations with all the track, and when the time came to leave I would put a loop around the tree.
The 1060 can be seen in the photo that serves as my avatar with my Erie Hudson, taken a few years ago at Christmas time.
Cheese
Nick! :)
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