Best product is fastrack -finally got lionel trackage out of 1915.
Worst product would be DC powered steam engines.
"If we could step into another manufacturer here and go slightly off topic, I would have to say the most tasteless product(s) ever offered were K-Line's Osama and Bush stuff. Extremely tacky and in very bad taste IMHO."
I second that.
My best Lionel product as far a appearance and performance are concerened is my early 2025. As Frank noted above these Late 40s engines are a joy to run and watch.
Worst is tough to say. Because I stay pretty clear from expensive, modern, electronic laden equipment, I don't have anything of Lionel's that junk or a disappointment. Fastrack isn't my cup of tea but I certainly don't think it's the worst.
If we could step into another manufacturer here and go slightly off topic, I would have to say the most tasteless product(s) ever offered were K-Line's Osama and Bush stuff. Extremely tacky and in very bad taste IMHO.
Mike S.
trainsandmusic wrote: Perhaps what can be a fun survey. 1.) What do you consider to be Lionel's (any era) finest product. 2.) The worst product of Lionel's ...
Perhaps what can be a fun survey. 1.) What do you consider to be Lionel's (any era) finest product.
2.) The worst product of Lionel's
...
Since this is a "fun" survey, my favorite is the missile launcher / exploding boxcar.
Least favorite has to be the cheap stuff from the late 70's.
Enjoy
Paul
Allan Miller wrote: "WHY all the HATE for the CW-80?" ----------- Don't get me started on that. Too many reasons to list, although I do like the outward appearance of the thing. As for FasTrack: One of the better innovations released by Lionel in the modern era (even though I'm currently using Atlas track myself).Different strokes for different folks, which is always the case in this hobby.
"WHY all the HATE for the CW-80?"
-----------
Don't get me started on that. Too many reasons to list, although I do like the outward appearance of the thing.
As for FasTrack: One of the better innovations released by Lionel in the modern era (even though I'm currently using Atlas track myself).
Different strokes for different folks, which is always the case in this hobby.
I am curious, If the list is so long, how about a short list of say 3-5 of the most serious problems you find in the CW-80. I have read other posts saying how HORRIBLE the CW-80 is, but no one ever cites a reason why they feel that way (Mike Wolfe of MTH, I could understand not liking it) No it is not a ZW (which I do have 2 of them, 1 original, 1 "new" ) but for what it is, it is a great little transformer, like I said in my earlier post, NONE of my other transformers will run the smaller locomotives at a slow speed, INCLUDEING either one of my ZWs.
As far as you "liking the looks of the thing" I do agree with you on this point, I think that Lionel did a nice job of keeping the 50s look with this. Aside from the LOUSY minimum voltage of MTH's Z-series transformers, I cant stand their appearance, they look like something out of a cheap HO starter set, and I ABSOLUTELY HATE the external power brick( Yes I know that the "NEW" ZWs are guilty of this crime too)
Well I am going to Start another thread on this, so that this one doesn't end up too far off topic. But I really would like to hear WHY so many people seem to hate this transformer so much, I LIKE it
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
From my limited O27 experience:
I like my New Haven #2350 and Santa Fe F3 #2353
I am not a Fastrack fan.
(I have had no problems with the CW80)
Thanks for asking.
Best product?
Of the products I own, it is a close call between the post war dual motored f3's and the early 726. Any Lionel engine made in the late 40's have shown to be the very best runners. Of course tubular track gets the lifetime achievement award.
Worst product - that stuff that Girly Men use - FasTrack.
RR Redneck wrote: The worst Lionel product has to be FasTrack (at one time it was the CW-80, but it takes back seat to FasTrack).
The worst Lionel product has to be FasTrack (at one time it was the CW-80, but it takes back seat to FasTrack).
You get my vote as the biggest *** on this forum. Joe
I think the best is the traimaster FM
I can't get into the tinplate stuff
ed
I have only been in 3 rail for about 1.5 years, (HO about 35 years) I really like my Lionmaster series locomotives, 1 Bigboy, 2 Challengers and the new Cab-forward, GREAT detail and will run on 0-31 curves WOO HOO!!!!
What I don't understand is the disdain for the CW-80, I LOVE IT. I have an original ZW (R windings) and a "NEW" ZW and several MTH Z-500,750, 1000s the CW-80 is the ONLY one with a near zero minimum voltage. My K-line Porters and RMT beeps can't be run at slow speeds with any of the other transformers, their minimum voltages are too high, 0-6 or 8 volts and they take off like a rocket. Even some of my larger locomotives will start on a low enough voltage that the other transformers are simply too frustrating to run them on. And the "NEW" ZW the handles are so stiff that if it is not bolted down I have to use one hand on the throttle and hold the ZW down with the other. The original ZW does have nice smooth light throttles, but the CW-80 is the smoooothest throttle of any of them that I have. WHY all the HATE for the CW-80? My only complaint with it is that Proto-2 control systems don't like it ( MTH is familiar with this issue) So why do so many not like the CW-80s?
Doug.
For track products I vote for fasttrack being the finest. The switches give me no problems. With the other switches from the old 3 rail I would have problems with derailments, engines stalling etc. I have not experienced this with any of my engines on the fasttrack switches.
Command control products.
Stinkers, MPC era.. I do own a set from this era and I like it, but it does not measure up to todays sets.
700E Hudson would be the finest, IMHO.
There are quite a few stinkers from various eras that I can think of. The CW-80 would definitely be near the top of that list...
- Clint
Any time fore 1956 was a darn good year for Lionel and it's products.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
I'll start it off.
1.) A tough decision but I will go with the early F3 (1948-1952). A rugged loco that was well detailed with scale proportionsa and could pull just about anyhing. This is my decision today, tommorow I might change my answer to the 2025, alluminum passenger cars or ec......
2.) Upon carefull consideration I will choose the recent offerings of the clear shelled F3 set. A high priced set that dosn't look good on the shelf and even worse on a layout. (my appologies to anyone who owns this.)
Honorable mention to a recent set offered painted for a company that makes knifes and has a boxed set of knifed on a flat car. You can't have kids playing with knifes :)
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