Lionel Hiawtha (6-5100)

A friend of mine had this set.  I believe the locomotive could do O-54 curves but the passenger cars needed O-72 due to the method of articulation.

Yes, Think of the Prewar Railchief Passenger cars for reference for these are them..  The engine is long and was a part of Lionel's 072 line in 1935-40.  It may run on 054 as per above but be prepared if it will not or if there are challenges.

I have this set so looked at the instructions; these  do not mention anything about radius, so I assume O54 will work? I run at 3 meter radius, so anyway no problem:

Regards

Fred

I have the original Hiawatha  passenger set.  It requires 72 inches. I’m not sure about the late 80s reproduction set .

Jim

I want to thank everyone.  It most probably will need O-72 for the passenger cars.  Since my biggest diameter curve is only O-54, I'll play it safe and not risk it.  I like the train very much, but am restricted by my layout.  I used to have a big UP tinplate set and it looked very cool on my O-84 floor layout.  I sold it when I moved to my table layouts.  They are only O-42 capable while my ceiling shelf layout is O-54.

The 1988 repro set needs O-72.

Also, beware of paint "bubbling" issues, especially on the engine.  I suggest asking specifically about this problem.

There are several copies of this set on eBay right now - some appear to be bargains, others not so much.  This set can usually be found at meets with asking price of $300-400 NIB.  One ebay seller has it for over $1100 with "some paint loss"; they don't list the item number, and list the year as 1957, even though one of the pics shows the set in the foam insert.  Misleading???

Good luck.  It's a beautiful set.  

yes,for sure paint issues on loco,plack paint looks like a plastic bag was on it when wet,,,runs well,,good whistle other wise 

What Bob said!

" I believe the locomotive could do O-54 curves but the passenger cars needed O-72 due to the method of articulation."

I have run the locomotive and tender on Super O modified by Rich Riley to 054.  It will run on 054 with no problem with the exception of the tinplate wheels on the tender (whose flanges are too deep).  Not a problem for most people as there are relatively few of us who run Super O.

The passenger cars will not navigate the 054 curves without modification.  I modified a tired M10,000 set a few years ago to run on 054-it required removing some material from the floor casting for the rear truck in the observation car to allow the truck to swivel far enough.  The sheet metal "tongues" that engage the vestibules on the passenger cars could be moved away from the car body a bit by loosening the screws-this allowed them to (barely) negotiate the 054 curves.  As I recall, the special front end on the car closest to the locomotive on the Hiawatha would require some work in order for it to swivel enough.  So far, I have opted not to modify the Hiawatha as it was NIB-this may change in the future.

MALLARD4468's comments on the bubbling issues are accurate.  The set I picked up last year has bubbling under the paint on at lease one of the cars (it was inexpensive enough that I went ahead and purchased it anyway).

M10,000 running on 054:

https://youtu.be/WhsVk25wfaA

It still slows down a bit on the curves, as is evident in the video.

I have the set. The cars need 72 curves nothing less,they bind. The engine does run on smaller curves.

I would concur - the observation car has the biggest issue with radius (I'm actually thinking about modifying it so I can run the set, really like it). I have about 60 inch diameter curves and it won't make it.  A very nice set, these go cheap in my opinion. probably because so many were made, and MTH reproduced it with modernized electronics.

I have one of these sets-never been run.  I would be delighted to sell it to someone for $400 but the box is so big and so flimsy I am afraid to try to ship it.  It is a beautiful set if you like tinplate.  Absolutely must have a minimum of 072 curves.

I own this set and for sure it requires 072 curves to operate with the cars. Having also serviced a few of these, be aware that the engine shell sometimes warps and due to reduced clearance causes the valve gear to bind. Quick fix is to remove the valve gear. Best fix, don't buy a set with a warped engine shell or bubbling paint.

Eric TCA, LCCA, Ives Train Society

Pride Lines produced a reproduction of this set which like the original required 072 curves.  To attract customer who didn't have the room for 072 curved track, Pride Lines also made a modified version of this set replacing the vestibules with knuckle couplers and adding a flexible joint to the locomotive's draw bar. As I recall the set could run on O-31 track.

Bob Nelson

I did a search for Pride Lines and found a lot of EXPENSIVE Disney related characters train stuff for sale.  WOW!

Here are two photos for comparison of the Pride Lines reproduction Hiawatha set and their Hiawatha 2 set.

Reproduction set:

Pride Lines Hiawatha 2 set:

Bob Nelson