Curious as to opinions on different manfgrs models of same prototype

Sam, I have been transitioning to MTH over the past 6-8 years. No problems with new engines so far plus in many cases better details. Lionel surely has the edge in special effects but while I find them interesting and appreciate the engineering effort to create them, its not what interests me.

Pete

I get the impression that most buyers want their money back if a MTH engine is not up to their standards or if something's wrong. I got a opened in the box MTH diesel for a deal, because the buyer wasn't happy with the size of the numbers on the number boards.

If it's a Lionel, buyers seem to put up with it. I may of course be wrong overall. It's just a rough average from what I read here on the forum.

This now, is fueled by the MTH closing announcement as well. To me, it's been this way for a few years from what I've read here.

Lionel does seem to cover some mistakes better with returns. I don't bash them here.

Of course there's the pay less, want more syndrome that seems to take over buyers. Charge a premium, and shed off the buyers who are ... well ?? cheap? Use whatever adjective you'd like here.

Just trying to make a point.  Fire away. Hey... you asked, right?

Sam,

I bought an MTH Texas from a dealer as soon as it was available.  Put it on my test track and it ran two feet before the board blew.  Back to the dealer, swapped for another new one. Put it on my test track and it ran six feet before the board blew.  Back to the dealer who was out of them.  He had one on the store layout.  I gladly took that one and have had it since.  Once you get one which works, you're okay.  For me it was finding one which worked.

John

@rattler21 posted:

Sam,

I bought an MTH Texas from a dealer as soon as it was available.  Put it on my test track and it ran two feet before the board blew.  Back to the dealer, swapped for another new one. Put it on my test track and it ran six feet before the board blew.  Back to the dealer who was out of them.  He had one on the store layout.  I gladly took that one and have had it since.  Once you get one which works, you're okay.  For me it was finding one which worked.

John

I watched three Lionel/American Flyer Y3's let the smoke out on my LHS's test track.  The fourth one was a charm.

Rusty

Still curious about someone with both locomotives from two different manufacturers. Anyone have two recent steamers or F units please?