Lionel Legacy Steam Engines- What would you recommend?

I like the Alton.  I wish the whistle was better, but like it overall. 

find an FEF 844.

I like the over all performance of the Northern, and Berks. You might as well get one with "whistle steam effects" if you are going for a Legacy locomotive.

TEX

Steve

My choice would be the Legacy Vision Line 700E black Hudson. The BEST Lionel engine I have ever owned!

You will get a wide range of opinions here - everyone will suggest their favorite - until you are more specific about your needs.  People here will consider that if you state it, rather than just go with their own preferences, but without it, they will just suggest what they like.  You narrowed your range down to three medium size locos but even so their are differences.

So . . . Do you have all 72" or larger curves so that those locos requiring only that diameter will run, or do you have tighter curves that they will need to run on?  What size loco do you prefer?: a Legacy Berk (my favorite) is a bit larger than the Alton and quite a bit bigger than the MMikado - and all are tiny compared to another possibility, the than the just-released Legacy S-2 or some of the big articulated locos.  Do you really care about the nuances of the whistle sound (I don't, but to some people it is a major criteria).  Do you care that much about chuffing and loco sounds (sound quality, while always pretty good, varies varies among those locos you list from good to very good depending on which you pick).  Does real fidelity to the prototype matter that much to you (some are closer than others) and do you like lots of detail and "separately applied parts?"  Finally, do you have a particular era, or aspects of a locos appearance you especially like or don't like? 

Of the three you listed, I'd personally go with the Berk (I have all three). 

I would echo what Lee has said above. Also the choice of the Berkshire as it just has bit more 'presence' for lack of a better term. Your candidates each have merit (we have a mikado and a pacific) but the big 2-8-4s have a special charm all their own!

A agree, the size of the radius of your curves will have a deciding factor in terms of what will work for you on your layout. Also you have to consider the availability of your choice.

If you can handle 0-72 or greater, and an engine that probably you can locate, I think that a Challenger would be a very good choice.

I would go with the SF northern. It has whistle steam and has great sound. It does depend on the size of your track though. Smaller then O72 limits your choices. 

Doug,

Like Arnold Palmer says..."Swing Your Swing".  In model RR terms, get what you like.

You can't look at their offerings as anything but they've put the best they could out there.  If there's an engine with constant issues, they would/should have done a recall or taken it off the market and fixed the issues.

If I had to choose between the 3, it would be (1) Alton Limited or (2) the DM&IR Mikado, I don't care for Berkshires.

Out of the 3, I'd have to pick the Alton because it has the overall best features (whistle steam smoke effect that the other 2 lack) and it definitely stands out. All are good runners, though the Berkshire and Mikado will have slightly more add on detail.

Yes, my PM 1225 will run on 0-42 (with good track work), but with a lot of cab overhang.

If I may suggest a new candidate, the Legacy PRR K4s. They are available in prewar and postwar prototype configurations, are decent models, have very good sounds, smoke, and the steam whistle effect. They run as smooth as glass. The K4s' are still relatively easy to find, readily available for $800 or less, and will not look too goofy on 0-42. The K4s is a PRR passenger locomotive, which may or may not fit into your scheme of the future. The other suggestions made here are all superior, but, hey, why not another option -- a more affordable one at that?

Another personal fave is the Legacy PRR "Lindbergh Special" E6 (Atlantic), which is tougher to find these days. When newly introduced, these had every Legacy feature for ~$500, including the steam whistle effect. Some had an issue with the smoke unit gasket on this one, but I did not. I mention it because an engine such as this is physically more compatible with many real world layouts.

Enjoy the hunt.

Bob

Doug,

Two different B&A Berkshires have been run on my layout. One of them consistently derailed at the same place on my O42 reverse loop, while the other will make it through at reduced speed.

The fact that it occurs at the same place indicates a slight irregularity in my track laying. So I'd say that if your track has a consistent curve without kinks, it will make it. That O42 loop is scheduled to be replaced soon by an O54 curve.

I have the Berk, the Blue Comet and the NH Mikado, and I rate them very subjectively in that order. The Mike seems to have less volume for its Railsounds than the other two.

Jim

Another one you may want to consider and can be found very reasonable is the AT&SF 6-11117 4-4-2 Atlantic. Smaller engine looks very good on a layout with sharper turns.

There is nothing like a big Northern but the 4-4-2 will look great on your layout.

Dan

Still have to push for the SP Cab Forward.

I have to agree the Atlantic is a great choice if a person wants a smaller loco.  It was not on the list of three options in the first posting here, but it fits in with that group nicely and would be the second on my list, maybe the top choice if size were a real concern.  I have one (conventional) that is just a fantastically smooth, linear, stable runner, strong puller, very detailed, with surprisingly good sound for a small loco (much better than the Mikado, in particular) and it's full scale yet short enough to both run well and look good on shorter loops, tighter-diameter curves.  

That said, I also agree with loco-Dan about Northerns.  None of the four locos, Berkshire, Pacific, Mikado, Atlantic, is going to have the "gravitas" or the powerful look of a big Northern.  But I view Northerns as in an entirely different category that requires bigger diameter curves and a bigger loop of track to really do their thing.  

FWIW, the Legacy FEF's #3751/3759 will run on 042; though they are listed as needing 054 minimum I believe.

They have great detail, great sound, and whistle smoke as well. 

Pretty good bang for the buck.

Rod