Anybody else just running pre/postwar Lionel and none of the newer stuff??

[cnw1995]

Much as I deeply love pre-war and post-war stuff - which combines nostalgia with the ability to seemingly run forever, I find myself enamoured with sound. That's the difference for me. I find it trumps my love of ozone...The trolleys I'm running with QSI sound systems are wonderfully more 'fun' for me than the more basic ones. Even my beloved semi-modern K-Line 4-6-2 Santa Fe with its 'trainsounds' tender is so much more fun with its chuff, bell and ear-splitting whistle than its more basic Lionel Lines 2-4-2 with whistle tender.

[dbaker48]

Not to be controversial, but ........ The older equipment is really great, considerable patience is required for most MPC however. Seeing a layout comprised of pre war equipment is nothing but spectacular. Of course a little bias is involved from a lot of us because we know the effort required to acquire and restore, of just the cash outlay it represents. And the post war stuff brings a lot of us back to our childhood, and the satisfaction of repairing and mainting is tremendously rewarding. The new stuff certainly has its appeal also. Especially to visitors with the sounds, remote controls, and other features.
Notice at train shows that have a large public attendance, which operating layouts have the greatest crowds, usually the newer stuff.

This is one of the great things of this hobby, their are so many facits, and they are all great ! And still gives us a common area of interest. Not many other hobbies can do that! I enjoy seeing the excitment from someone who is discussing HIS layout and its aspects, but find it a little disheartening when they slam one of the other areas. Usually their is other issues involved ---- frequently financial. I think anyone with the cheesiest layout is probably getting as much satisfaction as the purest pre-war layout. Only has more aspirations and desires for the future.
I have 95% post war, and expanding to TMCC, while maintaing some really inexpensive stock for the very young hands to be able to be involved with.

Just my opions.

[cnw1995]

Well said, Don. I love learning from the perspectives and experiences of others in the hobby.

[Jumijo]

I only have 2 post war locos, but I greatly enjoy them. Having no sense of smell, I can't comment on the ozone olifactory aspect of the hobby, but just seeing them running around the tracks at such ages does something nice for me.

I too enjoy the sounds of the modern day trains. The Railsounds/Trainsounds add a lot to the overall experience. Sound definitely plays a big part of the playvalue for me and my kids.

I've seen great hi-rail layouts, and layouts that are just painted plywood. I get a kick out of them all, and if the operator is enjoying themselves, finds the hobby rewarding, that's all that counts. It's all good.

Jim

[ED WHITFORD]

I am about 90% pre & post on ours here, could probably count all new (1975 on) on your hands. The older the more dependible.

[jakeoregano]

JamesPH1966: I'm originally from Bal-mer myself. Kleins is one of those great 'throw-back' places that's been around forever. My pop-in law belongs to the Baltimore Model Railroader's club. He's spent plenty of time (and money!!)in Kleins over the years. It's nice to hear that you can walk into the older shops and still find things like what you found.

Dwayne.

[okiechoochoo]

Nothing but postwar for me. None of this new stuff. I guess MPC was ok but I bought the 8030 IC geep when it came out and the lights showed right thru the cab and the pick up rollers were so cheap it hurt. As far as the new stuff, way to complicated, unreliable, dead on arrival and way way to expensive. I will pass on it, thank you.

[Anonymous]

I run trains for the nostalgia. I just keep going older. From a mark set from the 40's when i was 12 to the ives i operate now in college. Nothing beats the old smell and sound of the trains, and a 1 gauge 3240 with highrail scenery looks fairly real for a nearly 100 year old model.

[JamesPH1966]

jakeoregano: Bal-mer is still one of my favorite places - I even got married there a couple weeks ago...

My buying spree continues as well: I got a black Lionel 221 Dreyfuss and (working) 221W tender at Potomac Trading in Kensington, MD (another great train shop) along with the biggest transformer Marx ever made. I've got my eye on a 2020 Turbine for my next purchase...