Any thoughts on the #6 Set?

I don't have one but I like the orange and cream cars with that engine.

I purchased the previous (Lionel Classics) version of the #7 about 12 years ago.  It is very nicely made and runs silently and smoothly.

 

A very nice locomotive.

 

 

I like the orange and cream cars too, but prefer the #6 engine.  Isn't it always the way?!

I'd be curious to see how it ran and what kind of motor is in it.
It is cute and pretty close in style to the original. Some details are off; like the plugged smoke stack, chrome sand dome, blue boiler front instead of black, chrome steam chest instead of black, no red trim around cab windows, the cars are missing red plastic in the celestory roof windows, air tanks are small... Rivet counting I know.
The one thing that does bother me is that piece of red something between the back of the headlight and the smokestack. Couldn't they have found a better way to insulate the headlight?

I ordered the brass #7 out of the 2011 catalog, ordered it exactly a year ago tomorrow.  no sign of it.

Sorry Steve, I laugh at your expense!

 

 Thank you sir, that made my day.

 

What about the Joe Mania editions of these engines? AFAICT, he's manufacturing both the #6 and #7. His versions are about 20% more expensive, but the period construction techniques seem very fitting for reproductions of models as old as these.

I'd opt for the Joe Mania version, myself. If only because the Lionel Corp version just doesn't look right, compared to the originals.

 

If you're not that concerned about looks, compared to an original, then the new one should be fine. Just buy it for what it is and enjoy it.

There is no doubt, Joe Mania's work is truly remarkable.  I have a couple of his Ives accessory reproductions and there is nothing else even close IMO.  Real treasures, head and shoulders above anything mass produced today.  I can only imagine the quality of a locomotive built by him.  Just 20% more than China made? No idea how he can do that.  Wow.  I did not now this, I assumed his price would be much higher, in the order of 2 or 3 times the price.  They are really handcrafted.   Ordered the MTH #7 for the PS2, might reconsider. 

 

It's actually even less than a 20% difference - I was thinking the MTH ones were around $700, not $900. Joe lists his #7 for $1000. But if I understand his site correctly, there could be considerable lag time on an order, depending on what he's tooled up to do at the moment. But then that's no different than MTH, really.

 

****... now you guys have me thinking me thinking about a JLM #7.

Joe is a great guy and takes care of his customers. Im sure an email to him requesting an order time would be personally replied to.

 

He is working on some IVES reproduction parts for us at the moment and has been very helpful in the development of the project.

 

The engines are incredible. Of course they will run like the original, only new. Not like a can motor. I personally prefer that, its what makes it great!

 I like them both and have ordered one of each.....one engine on product locator indicates august delivery and the other april 2012 delivery???????????????

 

daniel christensen

I'd say for $100 difference, Mania is the way to go. Wait times? Well, read enough of this forum, and Joe could probably take your order, custom build it, and deliver it before the first, second, or third MTH projected delivery date.

 

Plus, it looks so much more like the original, it makes it an easy choice, but like Nighthawk said, it is more true to the original, and will not have the PSx command, etc. Straight up, old fashioned, run it with a transformer engine, period.

 

By the way, I think if you look hard enough, you should be able to find a nice #6 locomotive for $1K. I keep saying that now is the time to buy originals. They are not priced that much away from any reproduction at this point. Remember, someone spending $1000 on tinplate today is not buying it for a toy, so if it is new tinplate, chances are that nearly all the new stuff is in the hands of an adult and will only be run by an adult. There will be little to no attrition of numbers to the LCT tinplate items in the foreseeable future. Originals were toys, and were treated as such and thrown away, damaged, scuffed, etc.

 

So, you can buy an original and use it. Enjoy it.  If it gets another nick, it's not such a big deal, it already has some. It will hold it's value, even in use. New ones are like new cars. However, these small run custom builds are different. They are unique in their own right. Look at some of the Pridelines, Richart, etc items. Some are tough to get at any price.

 

Here is something I always think about. One of my most trusted collector friends told me that you can't create a collectible. He's right. My opinion is that you might as well make the best of your money spent in the hobby. If you prefer non command stuff, try originals. You may find that you like them. The nicks are like "character lines" on a beautiful 40 or 50 year old woman. There's something there that a 20 year old lacks. Once you see it, you outgrow the young ones.

Mania locos are nice but don't forget the Cohen repros. Nice locos too and they are out there.

Originals are out there too but you need to be aware of the motor condition if you plan to run it. A worn original motor will not pull very well.

Also, nobody has made repro early #18 series cars until now with those MTH/Lionel cars in the #6 set. Corp (1920's) era #18 sets show up everywhere... But three piece 1912-14 era perforated step, red primer sets...??? Very hard to find in anywhere near good condition and pricey.

And another thing, if you really wanna be a rivet counter, the graphics on the MTH #6 set cars are wrong. They should be larger text, sans serif but with no curly detail graphics around them. And it should say "PULLMAN" not "PARLOR CAR".

 

 

   Many great replies and thoughts here.

 

   I wonder why they keep making sets like these. Originals are cheaper. There are so many things to make to fill gaps on collectors shelves. Someone should make other Dorfan locos and some of the more obscure things a bit earlier. I suppose the tooling would be too expensive for a humongous profit return.

 

  Jsrfo always has the finest replies. Make me smile every time!

Hang on... Originals are not cheaper.

The MTH set in question is a reproduction of a THIN RIM #6 with 1912-14 era perforated step #18 series cars. You will not find an operating original thin rim #6 loco for $900. I've seen a very good condition original early thin rim #6 sell for over $6k. Later thick rim #6 for $900, yes.

And like I said above that #18 set is very hard to find, especially with the tough perforated step #18 pullman car.

If you want a 1920's era set of thick rim #6 with short observation deck "Corp" cars, then sure maybe you can get a decent original for less than that MTH set.

I've been reading all the posts on the #6 and #7 but what nobody has said and the reason I have pre-ordered both is the fact that the new (not used, rusty, missing parts, not joe mania, not mth) is the fact that they are beautiful sets and most importantly for me have the Lionel name plate on them with a sound system and smoke.  You can't beat new tinplate w/o all the problems associated with used and who cares if it has perforated steps or not, thin or thick rims, these are sets that will be instant collectable's with a name plate that the general public certainly recognizes.

 

 

In strength and health

 

porschedanny

Hard to believe but yes two people bid up an early thin rim #6 to #6k about two years ago... I was pretty stunned since I think the bidders thought it was an example of an "original" production #6 but it obviously wasn't.
At York last week I saw one thin rim #6 and it was priced at $2700 complete with incorrect replacement parts.
???

I agree that a Mania repro and the MTH loco are two different animals.

And I have to agree with porschedanny in that I like new trains, which is why I restored a thin rim #6 and the cars to go with it.

The MTH sets are cute for what they are, will look good in action but unfortunately won't have smoke since the stack is plugged.

Mr. Nabisco...you forgot the most important thing of all...the new tinplate has the lionel name on it.  Recognizable to all.  No smoke no big deal sound system yes.

 

have a good one

 

porschedanny