Differences between Lionel's 'Light' mikados and their 'Heavy' mikados?

Sam,

I have quite a few of the LEGACY Mikes made over the years, and have another example on the way with the new Heavy versions announced. Not much has changed mechanically or aesthetically over the past 15 years in terms of the LEGACY models. They all pretty much use the same annoying shifting idler gear in the gearbox where the motor worm drives it (as discussed many times by fellow members) as well as full LEGACY control, LEGACY RailSounds, fan-driven smoke, etc.

I also have an OG K-Line model that's gone through a bit to get it a bit more up to snuff with the more recent models, including ERR Cruise M, fan driven smoke, GunrunnerJohn's Super Chuffer, 4-lobed chuff cam, R17 lighting, RailSounds 5 audio board (before Lionel chucked them), real coal in the tender, and a Kadee coupler.

2011 Light models have no whistle steam.

2014 Heavy models have whistle steam.

2017 Light models now get whistle steam.

2020 Light models now have Bluetooth, updated RailSounds with 5 whistles/bells, LCP3 LEGACY motherboard, and Kadee tender mounting hardware.

The upcoming 2024-5 Heavy models should have the annoying idler gear problem resolved (as quoted by Dave Olsen reviewing 2024 Vol. 2 catalog) as well as both everything the 2020 Lights had, and the 4-digit addressing feature.

I'll post some pictures of the ones I have together next week.

I don't know much about the Lionel models, but from a prototype perspective the Light and Heavy Mikados are visually different locomotives.  The main spotting feature is a much larger boiler on the Heavy Mikado.

I gather then that they all use the same body parts then?  How about the MTH Premiere mikes like the SR 4501? Mine appears to have less of 'the hump' than my Legacy Frisco mike from some years ago. It may only be 'old eyes' but the MTH seems somehow more in proportion although I just looked at them again and the difference is quite small. I do like the MTH better however.

Thank you both for your input fellas.  :-)

Lionel is the only 3 rail manufacture to make a USRA Heavy Mikado. Other brands have painted Light Mikados for railroads that only had Heavy Mikados.

Lionel's USRA heavy Mike has a larger boiler than the Lionel's USRA light Mike just like it should be. Lionel carried over components from the light Mike when they introduced the heavy Mike just as the USRA designs would have shared components. If I am not mistaken the running gear is essentially the same but with the different boilers.

If I am not mistaken the only railroad to use both Heavy and Light Mikados was the New York Central.

Am guessing that K-Line's handsome scale mikados are now Lionel's light mikes?

I think that's a good guess Sam.  To my eyes the Heavy Mikados are better-looking, but I'm just not a fan of the small motor leaning forward into the boiler.  It's actually the SAME motor that Lionel uses in their LionChief Mikado!  A scale Legacy loco deserves better!

I keep hoping that Lionel will reissue its Heavy Mikado with the B&A berkshire underpinnings: a large Canon motor in the firebox as Rollin Lobaugh and God intended.

Pat @harmonyards, do you know whether a Legacy Mikado boiler will bolt up to the Lionel B&A Berkshire 6-11389 chassis, without extensive modifications?  (When K-Line introduced the B&A Berk it had a small backwards motor.  So if they didn't change too much, it just might work!)

The MTH Mikado has a large Pittman in the firebox. That would have a better chance of fitting under a Lionel/K-Line shell.

Pete

True Pete.  But since the Lionel Mikado and the B&A Berk both have K-Line DNA, it occurred to me that the mounting points might be exactly the same.  No grinding, drilling, or filling required!  In real life, the B&A Berk was a further development of NYC's H10 heavy Mikado, so it's not a far stretch!

@c.sam posted:

Are there any visual or mechanical differences between the recent (10-15 years) Lionel heavy & light Mikados?  Photos would be appreciated.   Thanks.

Dieting ?      Sorry could not resist…….lol