Die Cast Diesels

Bobby, the Atlas SW8 also has a Diecast shell.

The Veranda in last catalog is die cast.

OTOH, plastic shells don't come with a free dose of ZP-anxiety (Zinc Pest).   The EVO and ES44AC shells (and any other die cast diesel body, for that matter) will invoke self-flagellation, sackcloth, and ashes over their purchase should they ever 'blossom and bloom' with ze pest.  Until Henning's came to the rescue, ask the owners of Lionel's JLC GG1's about their bloomin' truck frames...and how they felt when it was discovered!

Just sayin'....

BTW...  I know that as I write this, the danged pest is working it's evil magic on some of my stuff downstairs...

@dkdkrd posted:

OTOH, plastic shells don't come with a free dose of ZP-anxiety (Zinc Pest).   The EVO and ES44AC shells (and any other die cast diesel body, for that matter) will invoke self-flagellation, sackcloth, and ashes over their purchase should they ever 'blossom and bloom' with ze pest.  Until Henning's came to the rescue, ask the owners of Lionel's JLC GG1's about their bloomin' truck frames...and how they felt when it was discovered!

Just sayin'....

BTW...  I know that as I write this, the danged pest is working it's evil magic on some of my stuff downstairs...

Wow!?

I don't think it's immature when dkddrd is reiterating a known possible danger. To each his own.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I don't think it's immature when dkddrd is reiterating a known possible danger. To each his own.

That was my "Signature". 😄.  All I said was "Wow"..... 😄

I don’t believe the shell on the new Legacy Veranda is die cast metal. The trucks, fuel tanks and pilot are die cast cast. The frame is also metal. Do wish the shell was die. I would definitely buy one. The die cast ES44ACs are crazy expensive when they do come up for sale. I would love to find the UP version. I have missed two in the last year. Just wasn’t quick enough.

@Bobby Cox posted:

I don’t believe the shell on the new Legacy Veranda is die cast metal. The trucks, fuel tanks and pilot are die cast cast. The frame is also metal. Do wish the shell was die. I would definitely buy one. The die cast ES44ACs are crazy expensive when they do come up for sale. I would love to find the UP version. I have missed two in the last year. Just wasn’t quick enough.

Bobby,

    Check the catalog again, the second bullet point is die cast body.

JohnB

@Bobby Cox posted:

I don’t buy Lionel ABS diesels. Just hate plastic!

You have a very sparse collection, then. 

Real locomotives exteriors are built out of sheet metal welded on a steel frame.

Perhaps the 1:48th scale and 1:32nd scale models should be made the same way.

Andrew

@falconservice posted:

Real locomotives exteriors are built out of sheet metal welded on a steel frame.

Perhaps the 1:48th scale and 1:32nd scale models should be made the same way.

Andrew

How do you feel about the 3 rail track?

Simon

I like 3 rail track as long as it doesn’t have plastic ties! However, I do use Atlas track but had  to make a compromise in order to have solid metal rails!

@Bobby Cox posted:

I like 3 rail track as long as it doesn’t have plastic ties!

What's wrong with "plastic" ties? The Atlas track has ties that display lots of details, and once weathered and ballasted they look great.

However, I do use Atlas track but had  to make a compromise in order to have solid metal rails!

Concerning Die-cast diesels, the few diesel that I owned, were all scale, made of highly detailed ABS, plus add-on appliances. Those ABS bodies were always much more detailed than die-cast ones. Thus, I never purchased ANY die-cast diesel models.

Due to China rot I'm afraid of anything diecast.  It was long gone till our toys started coming from there. Model train diesels have most always been plastic you are really narrowing your choices looking for diecast only.

The die-cast Zinc is too heavy of a metal for the application.

Stainless Steel sheets would be heavy enough construction for a scale model.

Andrew

...Just fifteen hours ago...another thread...

@Artie-DL&W posted:

Bobby, the Atlas SW8 also has a Diecast shell.

Die cast hood section, as well as the frame.  Cab/and cab detail was plastic.  A small switcher, the decision of a diecast hood was probably to add weight.  Unfortunately the last two un-painted models that I worked with were poor quality.  I had to do some fabrication to make them run again after they fell apart from the Zinc casting problem.  Sad note about our global economy.   Diecast parts left, plastic cab right.

Call it a hybrid.

Ok, what about the new VL Lionel steam engines, like the Big Boy, are the bodies of these going to designate over time or are they cast of a different alloy?

I guess it depends on when they were made, and what the chemical mix for the zinc was. Mine is a version from the second run, I believe, and it wasn’t new when I bought it. It runs and looks good (*knock wood), so far. Most of my diesels are plastic, and have great detail.

The All Nation NW2 and F3 are nice die cast locomotives   Actually they are good looking models with some work. 

Being the age of mid 50’s, I unfortunately have never seen steam on the rails other than excursion trains. It is great that most of the current Lionel steam offerings (at least the scale size) are the die cast zinc offerings, I, however, like the OP, am looking for the scale sized die cast diesel offerings. I have ordered all offerings from Lionel (the few out there), and agree that “we” interested in the die cast diesel offerings take the same risk as those interested in the die cast steam offerings.

I, for the good or bad, am all in with Lionel and 3rd Rail, both fantastic companies, just need more brass and die cast diesels!

My future ordering will continue to be scale sized, brass or die cast zinc offerings. To my eye, there is a big difference between that and plastic. Yes, my fleet may be limited (based on offerings) but will be fantastic.

Yes please, more diesel offerings in brass and die cast!