"Best for the Money" used Lionel steam locomotives made from 1975 to 1983 or so? 2-6-2 or larger??

The baby Hudson’s from this time frame should be in your price range and be good runners. Also not sure of the time frame but you may find one built by Samhongsa from South Korea and they are very good runners

6 wheel engines that would fit your price/time range -

8600 - NYC Hudson

8206 - NYC Hudson

8603 - C&O Hudson

8900 - Santa Fe Hudson

5484 - TCA Hudson

My first O gauge was a Lionel 2055.  From 1952-53 and O27.  It was and is a great runner.  The 2065 was about the same and I think these are a great value, and widely available.  You'll pay a lot for one w/ boxes, but if you don't care about that, a lot less.  There's one with a whistle tender,  that looks great at $ 130 on that auction site.

I thought of the baby Hudsons immediately. I like the 8206 the best but I think it had the most issues.

I wish Lionel would remake that one as a 665 with all black paint like they have the 736 and 646 (PWC and CC).

I like the 783/784/785 Hudson's and their later variations.  Also like the 726/736 variations.

@Mannyrock posted:

"Best for the Money" used Lionel steam locomotives made from 1975 to 1983 or so? 2-6-2 or larger??

8600... 1976 2046/646 re-issue w/ NYC tender.

Go for the Lionel Docksiders. Should be plenty around on thE BAY and should be in your price range. They are real good runners

@ADCX Rob posted:

8600... 1976 2046/646 re-issue w/ NYC tender.

I agree wholeheartedly.   The 8600 baby Hudson in my opinion was the best of the bunch from that era.  It had no running issues and is a sharp looking engine.  I bought mine brand new in 1976 along with the entire Empire State Express set and still have it to this day and it still runs great.

Cheaper but great runner is 2-6-2, 2026, better is 2035 a 2-6-4 with magna-traction, both a big upgrade to scouts.   A Lionel 2046 or 2055 will cost much more and is the biggest you can go on O27.  Post war engines are better built.

Charlie

@Christopher2035 posted:

6 wheel engines that would fit your price/time range -

8600 - NYC Hudson

8206 - NYC Hudson

8603 - C&O Hudson

8900 - Santa Fe Hudson

5484 - TCA Hudson

Does anyone know if these Hudsons work on O31 curves?  I was thinking about picking up an 8900 Santa Fe.  Thanks!

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

Cheaper but great runner is 2-6-2, 2026, better is 2035 a 2-6-4 with magna-traction, both a big upgrade to scouts.   A Lionel 2046 or 2055 will cost much more and is the biggest you can go on O27

Charlie

I immediately thought of the Postwar 2035 with Magnatraction.

@Matt Kramer posted:

Does anyone know if these Hudsons work on O31 curves?  I was thinking about picking up an 8900 Santa Fe.  Thanks!

All O-27, so yes.

There is a decent looking 2035 with tender (not sure if it's the correct tender and no whistle) for $80 buy it now plus shipping on ebay.

Also an 8206 for $75 buy it now plus shipping, says tested and runs sluggish. So I'm sure it just needs serviced and the armature cleaned.

Personally I'd keep an eye on ebay for a 2055.

I agree with a 2055. Good running engine and easy to maintain. Bought the engine only from Nassau Hobbies years ago at York and Charlie was selling a bunch of pw steamers for $25 each. Picked up a whistle tender later that day for $20 and voila!
$45 for 2055/ tender!!

Also, I would look around for a 2046, a baby Hudson!

@Ted Bertiger posted:

I agree with a 2055....

Also, I would look around for a 2046, a baby Hudson!

Too old.

@ADCX Rob posted:

Too old.

In your pic you don't look that old?? 

@Mike Wyatt posted:

In your pic you don't look that old??

I'm older than 1975 to 1983 or so.

I hear you on the age, but at the end of the day you have a pullmor with a whistle so I guess thats why all the PW suggestions.

Grey 785 semi scale Hudson.

Thanks very much for all of the suggestions.  I think that the baby Hudsons of the late 70s earlier 80s is the best fit for me.

I will be buying during the first week of  January, so watch for my Want To Buy post if you have one in VG+ condition, lubed and oiled, and a solid runner with good rollers.

Mannyrock

Guys,

I just snatched up a 1982 Joshua Cowen 8210 Hudson with tender on Ebay for $99.   Seller says it runs very well in forward and reverse.  Picture of rollers show no real wear.    No sound board or E-Switch, but I don't care.  It looks identical to the Lionel C&A 8101 (Maroon paint), but without the silver painted nose.

Please tell me that this is one of the Baby Hudsons.  :-)

Mannyrock

I just looked it up on ebay completed listing. Looks nice! I have a crescent limited locomotive which looks nearly identical except for paint and I really like it. Strong puller for sure. I think your tender is diecast with the 6 wheel trucks which is nice!

Since I've gone down the MPC rabbit hole... I really like the baby Hudons they released. I have most of them now. You really can't beat them for the price and quality. The Berks are very nice also if you have the room for a slightly bigger loco.