MTH F3 or Lionel Postwar Celebration Series F3 - SAME PRICE !

[3railguy]

QUOTE: Question would you run a MTH new scale F3 like the FEC ABA or UP featured in CCT OCt issue with postwar cars?

The MTH units are scaled like postwar Lionel. Other than they are not genuine postwar and the finsh doesn't blend as well, I see no reason why not. You have to promise not to tell anyone.

[Anonymous]

WHY WOULD I SEND YOU "MY DCS" WHEN I NEVER BOUGHT ONE, OR ANYTHING ELSE FROM MTH..

THE DAYS ARE JUST BEGINNING

[ChiefEagles]

FDNY, Misunderstood your post.

"OH YES DCS...AFTER 2 YEARS, STILL TRYING TO WORK SOME BUGS OUT...WHAT GARBAGE."

Thought you ment you had DCS for a couple of years.

See you on TV. Third Watch [love that program] Becareful [I was an Asst Chief for 16 years in a big volunteer dept. but moved] and God bless.

[dougdagrump]

Good Grief, bringing up what brand name of trains you like is as bad as trying to discuss politics or religion. Get a life they are only TOYS. [soapbox][|(][:-^]

[FEClionel]

I think the tension of the upcoming elections has infiltrated a debate between Lionel and MTH.

- I just want to decided what F3 I want to buy to run around my christmas tree!!!

[FEClionel]

Ok since we are on this subject about F3's - why are the 38100 pwc series Texas Special F3's so expensive and hard to come by? Everytime I come across them they are about $800 for an AB set and the passenger set ABBA is close to $2000.

[3railguy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FEClionel

Ok since we are on this subject about F3's - why are the 38100 pwc series Texas Special F3's so expensive and hard to come by? Everytime I come across them they are about $800 for an AB set and the passenger set ABBA is close to $2000.

The PWC Texas Specials have 3 things going for them. They are a beautiful scheme and coveted by collectors. On top of that, they are from the earlier PWC series and not as many were made. Because they have twin motors, verses a single motor in the origionals, they are favored by postwar collectors too. You can buy nice origionals for $500.

FDNYBLOWHARD, GIVE IT A REST. I DON'T CARE FOR MTH EITHER. DO WHAT I DO AND DON'T BUY IT.

[FEClionel]

Ok narrowed it down - help me decide which is a better value and choice for limited running time and maximum enjoyment. I will be running them with a mix of postwar and pwc series rolling stock on a Christmas layout on the floor. I only have 2 engines now that I sold my 2343's. So this is a big choice.

- MTH 30-2310 ABA F3----------------------$459
- Lionel 38100 2245 PWC AB-------------$645
- Used LN Lionel Kansis City Sp. AA----$350
- Lionel Southern ABA PWC----------------$499

I WANT TO PURCHASE TOMORROW - I CAN TRADE MTH"S NO PROBLEM

[3railguy]

The KCS F3's would be my choice if everything works and the finish is perfect. I think they look just as nice as the MTH FEC units. Throw in $100 for a command base and cab 1 and $450 gives you all the operating fun. You can later buy a TPC 300 to run your postwar engines. I would hesitate to pay $645 for the texas specials because new stuff has a way of bottoming out and it's likely you'll find them cheaper down the road. You can buy the origionals in excellent condition for maybe less than that.

[FEClionel]

Aren't the Texas Special ao rare and hard to come by. So wouldn't the price actually not drop making this a good investment?

[3railguy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FEClionel

Aren't the Texas Special ao rare and hard to come by. So wouldn't the price actually not drop making this a good investment?

FEC, what you are saying could very well be true. The PWC Texas specials are not "rare" by any means (except in the eyes of an uniformed seller on ebay). They certainly are hard to come by because they are coveted. It is very possible Lionel may do the Texas Special again in a slightly different scheme with added electronic features. Lionel is known to reissue products that appreciate on the secondary market, driving prices down. Improved or added features have made past "collectibles" less than desireable.