Lionel C&O M1 Steam Turbine Electric Locomotive - 2022 Maybe?

Those engines are cool as heck! I can't imagine the weight in die cast but I would like to see what Lionel can do with it. I also can't really picture a locomotive 40" long. I've never owned anything that big.

I hope the turbine sounds wouldn't be too irritating. That's the only negative that comes to mind. My experience with them is the whirring makes my jaw tight haha but maybe this one sounded different. I know of the M1 but I don't know a darn thing about the M1.

Actually, I have no issue at all with plastic diesels or stuff like this one.  Probably why I have one.   This locomotive in diecast would add hundreds to the price for no real gain.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

This locomotive in diecast would add hundreds to the price for no real gain.

No real gain! I could replace my pick up truck with this train for hauling mulch and stuff if it was all die-cast think of the pulling power!

@BillYo414 posted:

No real gain! I could replace my pick up truck with this train for hauling mulch and stuff if it was all die-cast think of the pulling power!

Just the locomotive of the plastic MTH model is 8 1/2 pounds.  With only two Mabuchi 3xx motors, there is a point of diminishing returns between the motor power, the ability of the traction tires to stay on the wheels, and pulling power.  I pulled my 50+ tank car consist around my mainline, including the 2.5% grade with this one without breaking a sweat.  IMO, it doesn't need any more pulling power or the addition of hundreds of dollars for a diecast shell.  YMMV

I’d rather see a more accurate version done by Sunset in brass.

If you really want one with TMCC/Legacy your best bet is to find a PS1 version and just convert it.

gunrunnerjohn your picture makes me just want it even more! Looks very nice! I don't own anything MTH and would have to run it on a Lionel layout if I did. I currently have a O-72 FasTrack layout with a ZW-L transformer. Maybe if I see the thing in person it might change my aversion to plastic engines. I just love that when I hold the engine it really feels like you have ahold of something...I can't be alone here with the whole Die-Cast vs Plastic here...

I don't dislike diesels in diecast, I just don't think it brings enough to the party to pay the premium for them.  When the steamers all had nice big high torque Pittman motors, the diecast shells made perfect sense to add weight since bogging the motor down wasn't an issue unless you really got carried away with the weight.

@TheGrayGhost posted:

I just love that when I hold the engine it really feels like you have ahold of something...I can't be alone here with the whole Die-Cast vs Plastic here...

I mean I like heavy engines too but I think the point being made is that sometimes it's not necessary.

If I can get a die-cast engine, I would prefer a die-cast engine. But weighing in at 8 1/2 pounds means a die-cast engine is not necessary. It'll already feel like you got something in your hands.

Anyway, I don't keep tight tabs on what MTH tooling was bought be Lionel so don't beat on me for asking: any chance Lionel scooped this tooling up?

Nobody knows exactly what tooling Lionel acquired.  My sense is this is not a high enough volume item for them to have jumped on, but that's obviously just speculation on my part.  I think Lionel would be looking for something that they can ship in volume to maximize the return on investment for the tooling.

OTOH, it is a cool locomotive, and I'd certainly like to see one with Legacy electronics.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Nobody knows exactly what tooling Lionel acquired.  My sense is this is not a high enough volume item for them to have jumped on, but that's obviously just speculation on my part.  I think Lionel would be looking for something that they can ship in volume to maximize the return on investment for the tooling.

OTOH, it is a cool locomotive, and I'd certainly like to see one with Legacy electronics.

Now that MTH is using the unsold F unit tooling to produce product for sale if they still own this it is really just diesel trucks under a steam shroud right?

@Lou1985 posted:

If you really want one with TMCC/Legacy your best bet is to find a PS1 version and just convert it.

True! I bet you just drove the price up:-)