Lionel and MTH Mark Twain Zephyr questions

Both are rebadged Pioneer Zephyrs and neither one is accurate for the Mark Twain Zephyr. 

The Pioneer Zephyr is the only one where the windshields curve down forming the look of a brow.  On all other shovel nose Zephyrs the top of the windhield runs straight across.

Almost every one of the early Burlington Zephyrs were unique trainsets (except for the twin Zephyrs) with little design in common with each other, other than the shovel nose and Burlington on the letterboards.

Rusty

Strictly speaking I do not have the answers to your questions (since not yet produced, no one will, I don't think), but I did go through similar evaluation when deciding on an order several months ago.

The following is based on differences gleaned from catalog photos and/or the web representations of same.

MTH: Includes 4 cars, ABS body construction (engine is Injun Joe, followed by Becky Thatcher Baggage, followed by Huck Finn coach, trailed by Tom Sawyer observation. Note that this is from the MTH Website, the labels on the cars were shown differently in the printed catalog.) Link

Lionel: Includes only 3 cars, but is die cast body and vestibule construction (engine is Injun Joe, followed by Huck Finn combo, trailed by Tom Sawyer Observation)   Link

For the MTH, since there is no mention of vestibules anywhere in the description (catalog or updated website), I'd have to think the picture is what you probably would get.

I'll leave the prototypical accuracy question to others, but since MTH changed their labeling to match Lionel on the Engine and Observation, I'd suspect at least those 2 are correct.

Personally I chose to order the Lionel and hope maybe someday they might offer an add-on car to bring the set to a similar 4 unit consist as the MTH, but I did not base my decision on that hope. I just like the look of actual metal for a set like this.

-Dave

I have both the Lionel TMCC version of the Pioneer Zephyr and an MTH PS2 version of the Mark Twain Zephyr.

The vestibules on the MTH model are NOT close. They are gray flexible plastic. The Lionel model has articulated chrome-plated vestibules. Indeed, the whole of the Lionel die-cast engine and car bodies are chrome plated. MTH's version is ABS plastic and the finish is really more gold or copper than stainless steel; I am looking at mine now and it really does not look prototypical.

I think MTH might have improved the finish in the later versions of this set but no change in the vestibules.

I assume (and I hope that there is no nasty surprise in store) that in the Legacy version of the Mark Twain Zephyr that I have on order the chrome finish is the same as on the TMCC version. For appearance the Lionel version is superior hands down IMHO but then I am not a rivet counter when it comes to the Burlington Zephyrs.

P.S. I also pray at the shrine of the Zephyr in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry! My Lionel is a closer representation of that engine than my MTH, regardless of differences in lighting, windshield and truck details. It's got a very good simulation of the Winton diesel sounds although somebody on this forum in another thread claimed Lionel could not have sampled the original sound. I'm not obsessive about that sort of thing.

I preordered the Burlington Pioneer zephyr because I think it looks very much like the original in the Chicago Museum of science and industry. When in Chicago I often go to that museum To enjoy many exhibits including the Pioneer Zephyr. When you preorder you ,just hope for the best. Fred

I returned the Lionel 072 Zephyr for the MTH railking version. On 072 the Lionel version's overhang looked too funny.

Thanks to everyone for the responses!

I still have not decided. I am glad to see MTH has gotten the names correct and I like the additional car. However, the gap between cars is disappointing. I like the Lionel finish and the closed vestibules. Hard decision....but these are fun to think about and then finally decide. Thanks again.