Lionel's Docksider

[laz 57]

Laz,

I have the Bethlehem version too...one of my purchases when I was in Hershey 2 years ago.  With the prices we have to pay up here I couldn't resist... NIB for $75.  The price was only the happy beginning.

Bruce Webster

WOW, BRUCE great deal.  Do you remember where you purchased it at?  Got mine for $82.

laz57

[Anonymous]

Laz,

I have the Bethlehem version too...one of my purchases when I was in Hershey 2 years ago.  With the prices we have to pay up here I couldn't resist... NIB for $75.  The price was only the happy beginning.

Bruce Webster

[johnandjulie13]

Hello John:

I believe the widowmaker was the camelback.  The cab (and anyone inside) were susceptible to all sorts of injuries due to its configuration.

Regards,

John O

[csxt30]

Bruce  : you really make that sound like a great little engine !! I'm glad you are enjoying it !! I can't keep track of them all, but is that the one they nicknamed " The Widowmaker " ? I guess they used to blow up all the time, though I may be talking about some other engine.  I think that would be great with TMCC & Railsounds in it & coil couplers. I do have the new Atlas steamer ordered but it's not due till April. It could be delayed I suppose but I hope not. Let you know how it runs when  get it !!

Thanks, John 

[Anonymous]

I'm glad to hear that! Lionel catalogued a J&L steel slag train with an "Aliquippa Works" dockside engine. I've been watching for it on ebay. Really would like to have. It was only in the 2004 vol.2 catalog. Kinda hard to find.

[laz 57]

BRUCE,

   Great little engine!  I have the Reading and Bethlehem, both run great.

laz57

[Anonymous]

I doubt I will ever stop praising this little low priced wonder.  Whenever it gets a workout the darn thing never ceases to amaze me with it's performance.  As Colonel Potter usta say "Not enough O's in smooooth to describe this one!"  I challenge anything else of this size to pull what the little Docksider can.  It creeps along at incredibly slow, steady speeds considering it isn't loaded with all the latest electronic gizmoes, while also being user friendly over large switches, all of which makes it ideal for use in yards.  No wonder there's already aftermarket TMCC upgrades available and if you care to install coil couplers the end result is a very versatile workhorse.  If you're already happy with it's smoking ability, which I am, it should be incedible with TMCC.  OK, the whistle is....um...questionable.

Let's put one rumor to rest once and for all.  Short of the obvious 3 rail compatibility allowances this is a SCALE model of a REAL Alco saddletanker.  All the dimensions fall precisely in line with what is illustrated in Model Railroader's Cyclopedia of Steam Locomotives.  Only 2 easily rectified issues exist.  The whistle is too large and the engine is missing it's compressor on the left front side. 

Just in case I haven't made my point clear I kinda like the Docksider.  If you don't already have one I'd highly advise making it your next investment in fun.  I'm sure you'll be as equally satisfied as I have been with the ultimate in entry level, high quality, scale Lionel.

Bruce Webster