I'm looking for ideas as to what engine would you use to pull a unit train of Lionel's Polar Express scale GLa hoppers. I have a dozen of them to pull but I like to pull them with a different engine instead of a Berkshire.
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In the US Berkshire engines were used in fast freight. It is only in movies, children's books and preservation that they were used as passenger engines.
Lionel made a scale K-4 in Polar Express paint that would have been a passenger engine but could be used for what you need.
Lionel made a scale K-4 in Polar Express paint that would have been a passenger engine but could be used for what you need.
Originally Posted by Silver Lake:
In the US Berkshire engines were used in fast freight. It is only in movies, children's books and preservation that they were used as passenger engines.
Lionel made a scale K-4 in Polar Express paint that would have been a passenger engine but could be used for what you need.
Lionel made a scale K-4 in Polar Express paint that would have been a passenger engine but could be used for what you need.
I have that engine but it is a Polar RR and the engine is red, but it is a option. And Lionel is now releasing a scale Polar Express caboose in their new Christmas catalog.
The berk is probably still the best option if your looking for prototypical head end power for the fantasy roadname.
The only thing better would be a PE Y6.........ya never know.
The PRR GP7 from 2010 is my first choice for everything... Of course, I consider PRR and PE freight to be part of the same line and pretty interchangeable. That loco combined with the upcoming caboose would be pretty sharp!
And while I don't have the curves for it personally, the PRR K4 4-6-2 is just a lovely locomotive.
And while I don't have the curves for it personally, the PRR K4 4-6-2 is just a lovely locomotive.
Paul,
I think Lionel's Polar RR K-4, SKU #6-11330, may be your best ticket. It's a black loco, but the burgundy stripe on the tender should match up nicely with the burgundy PE emblem on the hopper cars.
And this loco even has whistle-steam!!! Charlie Ro was blowing them out earlier this year, so I grabbed one for this very purpose. 
And of course, the newly catalog'd PE N5B caboose, SKU #6-81811, will finish off this freight train quite nicely!!! 
David
Paulp,
I too purchased a Polar RR K4. I had been searching for a PRR K4 1361 or 1330 with no luck and my friend Alex said why not buy a Polar K4 and have it painted to PRR. When I took the engine out of the box I was impressed with the paint scheme and for a few seconds thought to keep it as is. I could not understand why they seemed to be slow movers and were being put on sale. i thought they would look great pulling the Polar Express scale cars on layouts with less than 072 curves.
However I would go with the GP7 to pull the coal train. I am sure some Pacifics did end up pulling freight at the end of the steam era but I love K4s and would hate to see that.
David,
Please post pictures of your K4 lead coal train, maybe it will change my mind. I do agree with you great engine.
JohnB
If it were me, I would go with the scale Berkshire. These are beautiful freight cars and they deserve a nice engine up front with the proper name.
Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:
If it were me, I would go with the scale Berkshire. These are beautiful freight cars and they deserve a nice engine up front with the proper name.
Unfortunately for those who like Crewtalk and such, the Berkshire comes with all the movie dialog/announcements which aren't ideal when pulling a bunch of coal hoppers. Great for the passenger train -- not ideal for freight. Aside from that, the Berk would be fine.
David
David, I agree with you!
Originally Posted by RickO:
. . . .
The only thing better would be a PE Y6.........ya never know.
Actually, that is a good idea just because it would be so bizarre! I like it!
