Lionel Brass Hybrid Mikado - Sneak Peek

Thanks for the video Eric. I see Lionel changed the sound file to better match the engine since I saw it back in April.

Oh Eric, you shouldn't have done that.  It makes waiting for mine to arrive that much more difficult!

Cool locomotive, I personally don't "get" all the radio chatter. Locomotives from that time period didn't even have radios...but then again I guess it is a toy

You didn't happen ti try it on any curves tighter than what Lionel lists do you?  Most prior Mikados can do O36, but they listed this one as O54.

Also, you might want to check the gauge of some of your freight cars, I saw them climbing out of the tracks in a couple places on your video.

sinclair posted:

You didn't happen ti try it on any curves tighter than what Lionel lists do you?  Most prior Mikados can do O36, but they listed this one as O54.

 

Also, you might want to check the gauge of some of your freight cars, I saw them climbing out of the tracks in a couple places on your video.

I don't really have any O-36 readily available to test it on...at least not right now. 

Thank you Eric. 

My favorite quote "don't ruin it for the rest of us". 

Well-done video, Eric. It's neat to see a prototype before the production model is available. Thanks.

Cheers!

Keith

Thanks Eric, Great job on the video!

Thanks Eric, great job again...

I hope that they would do a C&O K-3/3a with the Vandy and Rectangular tender as was used behind their K4's., and also do one of the NYC H-10 a/b with the 12 wheel tenders.........................................Brandy!

Eric, fantastic video of this very well designed Locomotive.  Your video was great and this engine seems to be a Winner.  During the April York meet, we were able to operate this beauty with our Iphones, Wow, fun to run and looking forward to seeing the Bluetooth technology side coming into play...Would you be able to demo that in the future? Thank you...

It looks great.  I bought it because I have always wanted to see better detailed locomotives with the Legacy bells and whistles. I hope Lionel continues down this path.  The only think I didn’t like was that I had to order from Lionel directly.  I would much prefer to support one of the forum sponsor hobby shops.  I don’t know why they chose to do it that way, and hope in the future they will sell these kinds of locomotives through the regular channels.

Ben 

D500 posted:

OK, I had successfully avoided buying one of these. I should not have watched.   ...

And the prototype - that would make a nice addition to a collection; the "blemishes" just make it more desirable. 

...

First thing I thought about when I saw this engineering sample and listened to Eric's spiel about why Lionel produces an engineering sample....  If all that is true, what happened with the recent Lionel Mogul???  

Just being honest.  That's the first thing that came to mind.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I'm not getting one of these, but it does look real good. Hopefully Lionel expands what they are doing with brass, and hopefully it is great.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I'm not getting one of these, but it does look real good. Hopefully Lionel expands what they are doing with brass, and hopefully it is great.

Agreed, brass body, diecast frame, with Legacy.  How can you go wrong?   Yes expand the offerings and I'm game.

I saw the engine running at the NMRA National Train show in Orlando last summer.  It is awesome.

NH Joe

What is the exact Mikado that this modeled to be? How close is it to the recent light or heavy Mikados that Lionel has recently offered? (Exact measurements)

TM Terry posted:

What is the exact Mikado that this modeled to be? How close is it to the recent light or heavy Mikados that Lionel has recently offered? (Exact measurements)

Lionel explained this fairly well. The brass components come from other Mikados cataloged and the brass components are specific to the chosen prototype. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ErYq3KlVk8

TM Terry posted:

What is the exact Mikado that this modeled to be? How close is it to the recent light or heavy Mikados that Lionel has recently offered? (Exact measurements)

The superstructure is modeled after a Santa Fe 3160 class Mikado (3160-3287.)  

The model uses the Lionel light USRA Mikado's chassis to save costs and is therefore not 100% accurate for the class.  I'm not near my books, so I can't give dimensions.

The Lionel model is a good looking locomotive none the less.

Rusty

Thanks, the video answered all my questions!

banelson posted:

... The only think I didn’t like was that I had to order from Lionel directly.  I would much prefer to support one of the forum sponsor hobby shops.  I don’t know why they chose to do it that way, and hope in the future they will sell these kinds of locomotives through the regular channels.

...

Exactly.  Lionel management was clearly putting their toe in the water with this model to see how well they could sell direct to the consumer.  Not the nicest way to treat their dealer base, so I passed in a NY minute -- wasn't even tempted.  But that's business and should send a message to dealers that they should carry other product lines to protect their interests as well.  Never a good idea to put all eggs in one basket, as they say.

Nice video ERIC.  I saw this at YORK and it is really nice to see it in person, it looks and sounds spectacular.

Great video!!  I'm waiting for mine (in SF) to arrive.

Unfortunately, the typical boo-bird(s) is/are out.  It would be really cool if several could refrain from snarky comments when so many are enjoying what-will-be a great new addition to the Lionel line-up ... but I think that may be (apparently) impossible.  

Even though I am in to the old stuff, I think this is a great idea for Lionel. Hope it works for them. Selling direct might be to see how the market responds to it.  Plus, the dealers should possibly push the Lionel products harder.  Will be interesting to see if  this works.

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

banelson posted:

... The only think I didn’t like was that I had to order from Lionel directly.  I would much prefer to support one of the forum sponsor hobby shops.  I don’t know why they chose to do it that way, and hope in the future they will sell these kinds of locomotives through the regular channels.

...

Exactly.  Lionel management was clearly putting their toe in the water with this model to see how well they could sell direct to the consumer.  Not the nicest way to treat their dealer base, so I passed in a NY minute -- wasn't even tempted.  But that's business and should send a message to dealers that they should carry other product lines to protect their interests as well.  Never a good idea to put all eggs in one basket, as they say.

I think it’s a good idea for Lionel to test the waters. I started with ogauge from the 1986 B & A Hudson set direct from Lionel. My local dealers have since received thousands of my dollars as a result. 

Eric,  It would be nice, if one of these days, Lionel would let you have a "sneak peek", at their, new, NYC Niagara, that you could share with us.  Just a thought.    Earl G.

Hope this is a success and future offerings include some in NYC, New Haven or Great Northern roads.  Particularly hope those who are in for a hybrid get great pleasure out of their purchase, and can manage a giggle or two in response to the predictable aimless, petty carping from the usual sources grinding their rather dull axes .

It would be really interesting to see if one of these engines could be adapted to a different  chassis. It is a brass shell on a separate chassis.