Your thoughts on the Lionel Dockside Switcher?

[Brutus]

Yeah, this is a great ebayer.  I have bought from him a few times. 

[twaldie]

Never have had one, but now one is on it's way.  Can't wait to get it and try it out, it should look real good with my BEEPS!
FJ&G - did you ever get onto E-Bay?  I noticed the one you had the link to is gone now. (It wasn't me - mine is an SP&S, really!)  I haven't had any trouble with E-Bay, as long as you buy from people that have been selling for a while and have GOOD feedback you should be OK.  Just remember to change your password occasionally.
Just one other quick note, I'm working in New Jersey this week, to help kill time Saturday I went to The Hobby Shop in Aberdeen to look around.  The folks there are real nice, and have a wonderful shop.  If you are ever in the area it is well worth visiting.
Have a good week!

Tim

[Anonymous]

Nice detail and weight but if you're using 022s beware, cause they bump and grind through these switches. Sometimes I have to run it very fast or lock it in forward to keep the reverse unit from stalling the loco. Seems Lionel should have designed it bettter considering 022 switches are their equipment.

Mike S.

I'm using Atlas track and switches on my layout.  All of the various small locomotives (Dockside, Plymouth, Porter, BEEPs, etc.) run just fine on that track system, although I admittedly do not have any long-radius switches on the pike.

[kblester]

Does this one seem OK? Just click on "Buy it now?"

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-28650-NYC-Docksider-Steamer-New_W0QQitemZ270012495384QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4148QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dave, This seller has 99.99 % positive feedback with over 12,000 different customers buying over 27,000 items from him. He has had 17 total unhappy buyers. I think I bought rolling stock from him. You can click on his f/b score to read comments from buyers. Always read return policy and payment details as some sellers do not accept checks from new buyers. You may want to buy insurance, which adds to shipping cost. Watch Buy it now quanities as you can end up buying more than 1 x the price listed. If you need help let me know.

Regards, Ken

[Anonymous]

I own one Docksider and have another on the way.  This is the locomotive that brought me back to 3 rail.  Great detail and operations for the price.  My only complaint is the lack of a better sounding whistle.  I'm going to convert mine to TMCC.  IMHO, I would replace the 4-4-2 starter sets with this loco.  Heck, more kids today know what a Tank Engine is due to the little blue guy!

Smokebox

[msacco]

my beth steel is still in the box waiting to be sent back to Lionel. MOst likely a busted eunit board.

When it ran it was nice. Nice detail and weight but if you're using 022s beware, cause they bump and grind through these switches. Sometimes I have to run it very fast or lock it in forward to keep the reverse unit from stalling the loco. Seems Lionel should have designed it bettter considering 022 switches are their equipment.

 

Mike S.

[dougdagrump]

99.99% sounds dang good to me.

[FJ and G]

What a hassle. I tried to buy it on eBay and it said I had to first register. I tried to register and it said I'm already registered (which I never was). So I changed to my work email and did all new passwords, etc & it said I'm still registered. So it said I could chat in real time with someone, but when I tried, it said everyone was tied up & busy so I emailed them.

Also, I noticed that 99.99% of people who dealt with this guy were satisfied. What percentage range should I be looking for when buying?

Thanks

[FJ and G]

Does this one seem OK? Just click on "Buy it now?"

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-28650-NYC-Docksider-Steamer-New_W0QQitemZ270012495384QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4148QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[dougdagrump]

Dave, After you convert the "Docksider" you should consider converting a "Polar Express". How cool would that be to have running in the backyard with a slight dusting of snow.

[FJ and G]

THanks, Doug, Dennis. As for conversion, all I need to do is pop the shell, disconnect all wires except the 2 motor wires, remove the rollers and presto it's done. The R/C gear can go in a following boxcar or something else. The fact that it's diecast is a really big plus; as well as working valve gear. A big bang for its buck! I may check eBay tonight (although I've never used eBay before). Hope there's no hidden traps in eBay!

[dougdagrump]

Dave, If you search some of the major e-tailers you can find them for about $92 to $95, however you can find them on E-Bay from dealers, new, for about $80.

[dwiemer]

The best pricing I have seen was $89.00, but I saw it several different places.  I think MSRP is $109, so if you find the 89, buy it.  It may be a bit tight for any conversion, but with some talent, you could get it done.

Dennis

[FJ and G]

OK, enough! I think I'm convinced enough to get one & convert it to R/C. Does it derail easy or is it a good tracker? It's a sweet looking locomotive. Also, where's the best bargain to getting one? MSRP is (or was $99)?

Thanks!

[dougdagrump]

Last I heard they can add TMCC but there is not enough room to add RS as well. I don't believe I will upgrade mine, it is the North Pole road so it is generally only out for six to eight weeks.

[HopperSJ]

ooops, I also fogot to add that I have never had the bind up problem you mention. That would be a drag. I haven't heard of others with that problem either, but hopefully someone will speak up if they did. Have you contacted either your retailer or lionel about the issue? Can you bring it to a freinds layout and determine if it does the same thing on his/her layout?

[HopperSJ]

Can they actually add it to a small engine like the docksider?

[Anonymous]

I am glad you like it. I like mine as well. By binding I mean while going in reverrse, the whole engine locks up fro mtime to time until I apply alot of power, then it breaks free at a rapid rate. By the way, I have the same issue with the lighter cars.

Another topic - tmcc, TAstudios will add tmcc to your loco for about 69.00 and install it for another 50.00. I wonder if anyone out there has done so....

[HopperSJ]

Hey, great to see my old thread brought back to life! Especially now that I have a Dockside Switcher to talk about. I love it. It runs smooth (for a $100 engine) and the detail is awesome (again for a $100 engine). It's my favorite engine. I do find that it derails lighter cars when pushing them (not pulling) because the couplers are spring loaded and not attached to any trucks. Lighter cars just tend to jump off the track around turns due to the strength of the spring. I weighed down my lighter cars and we're off to the races... (or station at least...)

I don't think I bind at all (unless the derailing problem is what you are talking about). Not quite sure what binding is, for that matter...

[Anonymous]

I have a Docksider that had to go back to Lionel for repair under warranty. They were good about the whole thing. I like mine just fine. I run it in conjunction with an MTH 2-6-0. The little Docksider (in my openion) looks better for half the price. My Dockie does bind a little in reverse, Does anyone else have this issue? Thanks..

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's just my enthusiasm about the Docksider coupled with being a bit inexperienced when it comes to new Lionel stuff but.....

Might Lionel have a real winner here? I can see spinoffs on it's basic design, like Moguls and Prairies and Americans. How about something simple like this brass example, cast in metal, using the Docksider platform. They needn't be top of the line....just give us decent looking representations with the good operating qualities that already exist. And for heavens sake, keep the price reasonable!

I'm really stoked about the direction which Lionel took in producing the Docksider. I'd like to see more entry level small locos that have the same qualities


Bruce Webster

[Anonymous]

Has anyone tried a TMCC upgrade on the dockside switcher and kept the whistle working.

Scott R. Conforto

[Dave45681]

I also have the Xmas version, very happy with it.

I had one issue with incompatibility on the Whizzle when I tried it on a variable channel of a DCS TIU fed by a modern ZW.

The modern ZW works fine with the engine, but the combination of that and the TIU causes the whistle to run continuously. I simply shut the whistle off with the switch under the engine before I eventually removed the TIU from my setup and used the adjustable output of the new ZW via TMCC.

I suspect other similar engines would have a problem with this setup, it's not likely just the docksider.

Great little engine.

-Dave

[mgmlodi]

The Lionel Docksider runs pretty good for its size. It smokes and whistles better than my postwar Turbines and 027 Hudson. This year, I went "small" and added the Doksider, the"Beep", the#41 Army Switcher, and Lionel's 4-4-2 to my collection. They are easier to get going on my present setup than the diesels etc
Michael Manicone.

[artyoung]

Bought the red Xmas unit w/ Santa at the throttle. Aside from the fun, was very, very impresed with the detail. Wish Lionel would dump the old "Scout" 2-4-2's and pack this with their starter sets. Paid $85 at York, and have seen it since for $75. Very satisfied.

[Lafondue]

This must be one of the best engine around...can't go wrong with this one and did you know he also feature a cab illumination..!!!
Hope for a canadian road name in the future.

As mentioned on a prior post about it we should start a Lionel Docksider Club with bumper sticker saying "I Love My Lionel Docksider".

Anyway have fun with it and by the way, the Cascade set at $185 is a very good deal

[dwiemer]

You can tell your wife that my wife bought mine for me for my birthday and that I love mine. Say something like "What a great gift". Good luck and I know you will enjoy it.
Dennis

[jefelectric]

I've got a Bethlehem Steel Docksider and it runs great. No problem going through 031 & 042 realtrax switches.

[msacco]

I have the Beth steel; It's a great engine but in can balk/stall
through both postwar 022 and modern 022 switches.

Mike S.