How is the new Lionel quality?

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ogaugeoverlord

New products from any of the O gauge manufacturers are much better made than the postwar stuff.

cancel my [censored] subscription!

oh wait, I don't have one.

Nevermind. [8D]

[wrmcclellan]

I have certainly had a few problems with my newer Lionel stuff with all the electronics.

But I can say this...

Every modern era Lionel engine I have (from 1988 to present) is still working in its original configuration (includes repairs done by Lionel and by me).

I cannot say the same for my (very expensive) JVC DV video camera (limps and can only be used to replay existing tapes - spent 18 months out of 24 in the shop), my Sony Hi8 analog video camera (dead), my Samsung Hi8 analog video camera (dead), my Samsung DVD player (just died), the first Sony PS2 (large version with space for HD), garage door opener electronics, my pile of various dead cell phones, several clock radios, several cassette tape players, two caller ID telephones, etc.

In many cases (except the clock radios, cell phones, and the PS2) the consumer electronics had less play/use time than the trains. All the consumer stuff was less than 2-5 years old when it died and most are not economically repairable, nor can I go to an aftermarket manufacturer and get replacement electronics much less improved feature replacement electronics.

[Anonymous]

The old postwar stuff is pretty reliable, no doubt about that. But I've also had a whole lot better luck than some with the newer items, and in a point-by-point overall evaluation of the two, I would give a definite nod to the newer stuff for the following reasons:

I prefer the quiet, cool-running, and efficient can motors to the older open-frame motors. Have not yet had a single can motor go bad on me.

The newer items have significantly superior paint and graphics.

The newer items generally have better, and finer, details.

I'm not knocking the postwar stuff, and still run some of mine on occasion (left over from my boyhood years), but I have no real complaints about the great variety of fine new products that are being offered today by Lionel and the others.

[dwiemer]

A few issues, I think the new Lionel engines look great, have lots of features, and for the most part, are better running overall. That being said, they have a lot more electronics and lots more to go wrong. I love my post war, in fact, I have about 80% post war stock/engines. They run like champs after many years. They are easy to maintain and repair.

I think the big issue is that most are able to do some degree of repair on the post war engines, while the new stuff is just a bit out of most peoples leage.
Dennis

[msacco]

This can certainly be debated forever, but I stlll say the overall quality and reliability (if that's important to you) is far superior with Lionel Corp or POstwar.
I've said this before as well. Opening up and handling a cream of the crop postwar engine like an F3, and seeing how substantial and well-made the parts are, just ends the discussion for me. EVen engines like a 2025/675 run so smoothly and quietly 50 years later and these weren't even top-end engines.
They might not have the slow speed capability and the crisp paint jobs of modern stuff, but I will bet the house that they will outlive any modern engine
Postwar Forever Baby!!!!

[Bob Keller]

New products from any of the O gauge manufacturers are much better made than the postwar stuff. A higher level of engineering, better assembly, and outstanding decoration.

That having been noted, in spite of their wilder speeds, the postwar gear tends to be bullet-proof.

A P-51 Mustang might be a "better" fighter than an F-15, but like modern toy trains, the new gear (F-15) can do many things the old gear (P-51) can't.

[Anonymous]

Two out of two brand new engines did NOT work out of the box!
Westside Lumber Shay- TMCC board was unplugged and rattling around inside the cab. This engine runs now but cant negotiate a turnout at prototypical speed (has to be near full power to "slide" through the switch by momentum).
Keystone set Berkshire- TMCC- Chuff would not work. Electrocoupler at rear of tender would not work. Had to take engine apart to adjust chuff activator plate (read bend with pliars) to make the chuff work. Had to take the electrocoupler apart to get it to open so I could hook up a consist.
If I did not know electronics and basic trouble shooting technique, I would have to take these to a repair station and have them gone for a month or more to get fixed. Could not return them as the store policy where I bought them has a "No cash back-Store credit only" policy. I could not see having over $1500.00 of store credit so I dove in and fixed them meself.
Lionel Tech Support via phone was helpful about possible causes for the Shay's reluctance to negotiate turnouts. At least they were helpful and cheerful on the phone which is something.
All of the FasTrack, accessories, and TMCC stuff worked correctly the first time.

blabree11

[palallin]

Define "new." Almost 40 years have passed since the end of the "postwar" era, and Lionel has produced many, many times as many types of trains in those 3+ decades. Some have been deliberately made cheaply. Others have been far better than anything the Lionel corporation could even dream of producing.

[thor]

I am NOT an expert, being new at Lionel and 0 gauge and all I have is 3 variations on the basic 0-4-0 steam train mechanism. 1 from 1954, 1 from 1972 - the latter both have plastic shells - and a modern diecast version with a can motor. I believe these engines are all known as 'Scouts'?

When I got the new one it didn't run very well at low voltage/speed so I took it apart to find out why and it needed lubrication because it was virtually dry and I added thrust washers to the center gear to reduce play and thrust washers to the connecting rods to do the same and improve the action. After which it ran extremely well, the startup voltage went from 5-6 down to 2 and it was much quieter.

I also had a bit of trouble with the power supply, there were dry soldered joints on the circuit board causing intermittent supply but that was pretty easy to deal with.

Other than that everything has been fine and the engine has proven to be robust after several crashes - 3 yr old helper! - and pulls everything I can load it up with and hasnt fried any electronics despite some spectacular shorts and sparks on occasion.

The older locos run like rockets and despite many years of hard service have held up very well. On this limited basis I'm delighted with my Lionel products and will get more.

Not really much help to you, I'm afraid but as a new customer my expectations have been exceeded and as our trains are used and run as toys they get plenty of hard work, action and unintentional accidents.

Thanks to this day after day of rain they're hogging the living room floor right now and to get my first cup of coffee of the day and sit and watch the train circulate amidst the constant traffic of clumsy adult feet, cat with a bad attitude and over enthusiastic helper joyously derailing it constantly, well, it doesnt get any better!

Long live Lionel, thats what I say.

[jefelectric]

Fred,

I have four modern Lionel locomotives, two with TMCC and have not had a problem with any of them. That being said I should add that none of them have a lot of miles on them so I don't know how they would stand up to constant use.

[MartyE]

Fred

I would say the biggest quality issue with all modern engines is the electronics. That being said I have been very fortunate to have only 1 out of the box failure. Your milage may vary.

[Fred Bear]

How is the quality of the new Lionel stuff compared to the post war engine? Especially the steamers? Thanks to anyone responding. Best Regards, Jake