Lionel DieCast Diesels

"My die-cast Lionel Veranda Turbine and my die-cast Lionel Centipede - they have that little extra that the MTH versions do not."

Sort of reminds me of that wireless commercial on TV, ' would you pay 50% more for 1% difference'. Can you hear me now?!

Scrapiron Scher posted:

I would love a highly detailed die cast diesel Under $1000. AIN'T happening. 

Plastic can be more highly detailed, the die cast frame gives it more than sufficient weight, and Lionel can offer it with a street price under $700. To me, that's a no brainer. I could buy three diesels for under $2100 or maybe two diesels for $2000. Is there really a choice?

Scrapppy

"Die cast frame"?  What die cast frame???  Unless you're referring to postwar Lionel F3s, I believe you'll find that diesels with plastic bodies are almost always provided with stamped sheet metal frames.  If the stamped frame provides "more than sufficient weight", then why the accursed rubber tires?

D500 posted:

(Somehow the big MTH #1 Scale steamers are OK from plastic? My gorgeous MTH #1 Scale NYC J3a on the shelf is plastic...now, explain that!)

Probably because you'd get a hernia trying to lift it if it was die cast metal.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

D500 posted:

(Somehow the big MTH #1 Scale steamers are OK from plastic? My gorgeous MTH #1 Scale NYC J3a on the shelf is plastic...now, explain that!)

Probably because you'd get a hernia trying to lift it if it was die cast metal.

Rusty

Then you probably might pass on the Aster LGB NYC J3a considering it is brass and is shipped in a wood box and it is not a "small" 1:32 scale, but closer to 1:24. All LGB is oversized on G-gauge track. And yes MTH is more prototypical at 1:32.

I am really in favor of doing a die cast UP big blow turbine.  Hopefully, Vision Line. Sign me up!

My MTH Little Joes are die-cast as well as my GE box cab sets but I see no reason to make an F-3 die-cast. It's like paying more for less detail. Don

Aside from the topic does anyone know what type of paint Lionel uses on their engines? I'm trying to reprint an engine of mine from Lionel and can't figure out what paint they use. It would help out a lot if anyone knew

Alex Trains posted:

Aside from the topic does anyone know what type of paint Lionel uses on their engines? I'm trying to reprint an engine of mine from Lionel and can't figure out what paint they use. It would help out a lot if anyone knew

Since the models are manufactured "overseas", i.e. China, there is no real way to know what paints are used, since they do NOT have to comply with U.S. EPA standards/specifications.

Ok, I think I'm going to get high quality paints for my airbrush and I think if I do a little more research I will be able to get them to look Amazing and possibly better than new!