I'm interested in the K4s Metropolitan Deluxe Steam Passenger Set, P/N 20-3467-1 (ship date= TBA). I was wondering, aside from the price, is there any advantage in buying the set versus buying the steamer separate from the cars. The set lists for only $100 more than the steamer alone. Would the appearance or quality of the steamer or cars be different or better in the set rather than if bought individually? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
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You're definitely better off going with the set, even if you decide at some point to sell off some of the components individually. The set contents will be (or should be) the same as the individual components.
That said, with the shipping date still TBA, you would be well advised to put on your patience cap because you'll find that even when a shipping date is announced, you'll find that those dates are often off by several months or more. At least that has been my experience.
If you're just starting out, the set comes with a lot of things in addition to the engine that you will be buying anyway: Track, Transformer, Rolling Stock, etc. Often, the transformer alone would set you back well over $100 so the set is a great deal. If you are concerned about the transformer being "too small", you don't need to worry. There is always something that can be powered from it when you get something larger.
When MTH does the $100 over engine price sets, they're well worth it. Even if you dont want the cars, you can typically, if not always, sell the cars out of the set and get the engine (which is the same as the separate sale engine, with a different P/N and cab number) for less than if you just bought it by itself. Some of the diesel/freight car sets probably arent worth it unless you happen to want the whole thing, to buy and break one of those up with only a couple dollar discount off the top probably isnt going to yield the same benefit.
That Premier set does not come with track or transformer, but it's still a good deal buying the entire set.
Definately at the "higher end" as far as sets go, but had I known then what I know now I should have started off with one of Lionels empire builder sets.
The extra $100 sets, as mentioned, are some of the best deals out there. I bought my Railking Imperial Y6B in the freight (coal drag) set. I didn't want the cars but once I got them, I opted to keep them. You can't go wrong with the set.
I also agree, The Sets (I got the Imperial RailKing Big Boy Freight set) are an awesome deal.
The cars sell for over $40 each, you get 4 (with unique road #s) plus a caboose worth over $40. That's $200+ in cars for $100 over engine price. And the engine is identical except Cab number to the standalone sell engines. This set also came with no track or Transformer. IF I recall Correctly, for MTH only he starter sets come with those items. And those do not have Imperial engines by a long stretch. Closer to Rugged Rails, IE no frills but good runners.
Any of these are a good deal and Especially helpful if you are just getting started as I was.
I now have nearly a dozen of those reefers in that consist and a woodside caboose that better matches the engine's timeframe, but still have that original caboose on the layout.
That engine will pull everything I can fit on the layout main loop (current max 58 cars) without even noticing.
That Premier set does not come with track or transformer, but it's still a good deal buying the entire set.
Thanks for pointing this out. My bad. I'm never too old to learn.
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