What would you choose?

[thor]

I posted the following enquiry at OGR and the response thus far wasn't what I'd hoped for which leads me to conjecture that Toy Trains aren't that highly regarded by their readership:-

QUOTE 

'There are far too many glorious models for me to even think of owning even a small percentage of them but it would be nice to gather a representative sample. IF I ever had the necessary resources to be a collector, that would be my first goal.

So my question is, EXCLUDING anything costing over $250, if you were asked to select an example of a loco made by Lionel, MTH, K-line, Weaver, Williams, RMT and anyone else I forgot of the toy train manufacturers, which would you choose as representative and why?

I'm more interested in reliability than accuracy. I deliberately set the price point low to exclude command control and high end stuff. My primary interest is in toy trains, I'm not a railway modeller, trains are expected to stand up to use on the floor with a 3 year old.'

END QUOTE

So after the tepid response I went and did a quick search and found these:-

Williams - NW-2 Switcher - $199.95
Weaver RS11 - $199
Lionel - 4-6-4 6-28027 $179.95
MTH 0-4-0 - 30-1242-0 $129.95

However, the reason for that post wasn't to save me the effort of searching!  What I was hoping for was a few people who would say that they chose X,Y, or Z because...

As an example, in the HO world of long ago, Hornby Dublo's best engines were their N2 tank engine and the LMS City class Pacifics. They made many more and there were a lot of other manufacturers to choose from but those two examples were good looking (for their time) powerful, reliable and bulletproof.

THAT was the sort of response I had hoped for!  NOT the implication that anything less than a high end model wasn't really worth considering.

[Jumijo]

Thor,

 

There a lot of great products for under $250.00. My response on OGR was a Williams F3 set and a Lionel Berk. You specifically asked for what we would pick. If you wanted an entire list, you should have asked.

Wasn't trying to be tepid. Just answering your question is all.

Jim 

[thor]

Jim I apologize for my ambiguous wording!  As I just posted at OGR too. No, what I wanted was one from each manufacturer, basically hoping to get a short list of known good 'uns!

[phillyreading]

thor,

If you are looking for quality go with the Williams locomotive as Williams uses steel wheels and gears, no one else that I know of does this.  I have been stung once in recent times with a Lionel GP-7, had almost no pulling power.  Don't know about MTH locomotives but their rolling stock is good.  Just giving my honest opion.

Lee F.

[Jumijo]

 

MTH uses metal wheels and gears, Philly.

 

[pbjwilson]

K-Line =- 4-6-2 Pacific, The Marx 333remake. Great engine that will run forever

Lionel - Think I would go with a postwar 1666. Darn nice engine and inexpensive. I just love running this engine.

MTH - Their 2-8-0 starter set engines are the bomb. Excellent, super smooth running engine. It will fill your train room up with smoke, if you so desire.

Atlas - The new Trainman RS-3. Just a great value.

Williams - Their FA2 AA sets come in some great colored liverys. Pick your favorite.

Odds and ends -

 Pre-war tin favorites - Hoge streamliner set in chome and blue.

Katz 515 set. Best Litho on an el cheapo dime store train.

Unique Art - any and all you can find.

 

 

[dwiemer]

K-Line, I like either the plymouth switcher or the porter...buy em both as they are cheap enough.

Lionel, I agree with Paul, the Postwar 1666, I have one and it is a real nice looking engine.

MTH, I don't have any of them, but if they had a nice looking one for under $250, I suppose I could buy it and then convert the PS system.

Williams, I would go for the 773 remake, I think you could pick one up for about the $250 mark.

Weaver, I have a GP38-2 that I like and for the money, it is a good engine.

It does seem that really good engines these days are going to cost a lot more, where as some older engines that will outlive most of us can be had for a lot less and there are alot of great finds out there.

dennis

[Ole Timer]

 Hummmmmm I wonder which manufacturer has engines still running great that are 30 years old ? K-Line also has the best detailing for the money and were all extremely reliable .

[RR Redneck]

Given that choice, Lionel everytime.

[kpolak]

Lionel, I agree with Paul, the Postwar 1666, I have one and it is a real nice looking engine.

I have a 1666, and I love the look and dependability of the engine, and full running gear, but, maybe it's just me, I prefer the rollers to the copper pick-ups.  I am having quite a time removing the fiber strip holding the pick-up shoes (and keeping it intact) while I tweek the springs, to get the shoes to set just right, and not burn out the shoes in one Christmas.

Also getting this rolling with 8-post war cars is awesome.  The wheels have to get spinning a bit to get things rolling.

Dollar for dollar, this is one great engine.

Kurt

 

[RR Redneck]

You aint kidding.

[fifedog]

A Williams GG1....it could withstand a direct hit form a 3 year old.

[jefelectric]

Thor,  I may give you more than you asked for.  I have only one post war Lionel engine so you wont see me listing any here.

Lionel - FM Trainmaster.  I have two from the early 90's which I paid $175.00 each for.  I think they will run a long time and they pull like horses.  Not a lot of details for the 3 year old to dislodge.

MTH - In the price range you are looking for either the 2-6-0 or the 2-8-0 from their sets.  Both are rugged and long lived.  Not sure of the individual price but probably around $150.00. I have both form set breakups.

K-Line - I like the Porter at around $100.00.  Not sure how long lived it will be as I haven't run mine enough to give it a test.  The A-5 switcher is a rugged little beast and mine runs great.  About $150.00 as I recall.

Weaver - Best one I have is a diecast PRR, C-1, 0-8-0 switcher.  Very rugged and a good runner.

Atlas - I don't own any in your price range, but what I do own are great runners.  The RSD 4/5 is available for $180.00 and if it runs as good as the ones I own it would be my pick here.

Williams - Anything they make in your price range.  There are quite a few under $250.00.  They all run forever, or it seems that way.

 

[thor]

Thanks to everyone, particularly John - JFElectric - thats exactly the sort of list and info I wanted.

[Birds]

Lionel:    The basic O-27 4-4-2 diecast steamer.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing that can really break off.  Climbs 5% grades pulling cars and does not slip.  It just works.    MSRP: $109.

Williams:     Yes anything, but I'll put a vote in for a 14" semi-scale GG-1.  It's a wonderful model of a great engine. 

[Dr. John]

Thor,

 

My choices would be:

 

Lionel Postwar 1666 or 2026

 

Lionel Modern 0-6-0 Dockside switcher 

 

Williams NW-2 (a personal favorite of mine)

 

Marx 999, 1666 or 666

 

K-Line S-2 switcher or Alco A-A units 

 

RailKing 0-4-0 Docksider 

 

RMT Beep

 

Most any of these are available for $100 or less, if you get a good deal. The Williams MSRP is more but they are available for about $120 pretty often. I have at least one example of all of these, most purchased second hand. 

[cnw1995]

Lionel: pre-war 248 - absolutely bullet-proof - still running after 70+ years

Williams: GG1 - quality components.

Marx: 666 - ubiquitous

K-Line: Plymouth - nice detail in a small package

RMT: MILW Beep - I like the look of it - one of the late ones with the wider slit for coupler swing

MTH: PCC - my bias shows.

[Deputy]

Wow...tough question! Okay...here's my list of what I have. Some are gonna squeak a tad above $250...so gimme some leeway

Lionel 6-28650 NYC Docksider $104.95 (a great little puller)
Williams GP9-212 NYC GP-9 w/TB II Price is $259.90 (got two...will convert to Railsounds eventually)
Williams MNW-209 NYC (cigar) NW-2 $149.95 (mainly because I couldn't find one I liked by Lionel or MTH)
MTH 30-2626-1 New York Central Alco Rs-1 Proto 2.0 $259.95 (on order...supposed to be released in December...didn't care for the Lionel version))
Lionel YARD CHIEF RAILROAD TRAIN SET #6-1502 $195.00 (0-4-0 loco with cars...got a great deal on E-Bay and they are all brand new in the original box/boxes)
Lionel postwar 671 Turbine w/2671 Pennsy tender $218 unstoppable performer
Lionel postwar 681 Turbine w/2671 Pennsy tender $218 ditto

Dep