Lionel's NYC red lightning-striped F units

I've seen these loco's at my LHS. 

 

Over the top depends on point of view.  To me they look goofy because it's not the way the Central painted their locomotives.

 

Rusty

I think they would look great if you are running a postwar style layout.

There are many examples of manufacturers taking liberties in terms of unique painting schemes that were never in service. Having looked at them, I think they are pretty sharp. If you really like this look, then you should go for it. I do not think you will be disappointed.

I bought a set for a friend, they are really well decorated and look sharp. On a personal basis, I just can't get past the red stripe, no matter how "prototypical" it was as a Lionel prototype.

 

If you can live with the red stripe or think it looks great, you will find that the F-3s are decent runners as conventional units.

 

Ed Boyle

Isn't the reason they exist due to a cataloge error in the post war years?

I know the black bonnet ones were pictured in a catalog. 

I thought that rumor had it that these were nicknamed "The Showroom NYC Lightening F-3's"; that they were made and were run on the showroom layout. While I never had the opportunity to see the showroom layout of that time frame, it is possible that these may have been an early example of deco that LIONEL showed in the showroom.  Just my thoughts, if anyone has any other info about these as far as backround, I'm all ears.  Dennis M.

I have them. They are in my opinion, they are THE NICEST F3's Lionel has ever made. In the catalog the pictures show them with a bit of a sheen. On the model the paint is flat, which I like better.

 

Dennis M, I read somewhere that yes they were painted for the showroom layouts. I would like to learn more of the history behind this engine as well.

 

Bill

How about a photo or three fellas?

I think that "goofy" aptly describes the red-stripes. No, of course, the Central never did this.

I have seen them and like them, only reason I don't own a pair is Legacy engines keep taking my money.

Jim

I purchased this in A-B-B-A.  I removed one of the B-Units from the box and I really like the color scheme.  The A-A and the other B-Unit will remain in the sealed boxes for now.

 

Did NYC ever do this?  NO!  But there are lots of fantasy paint schemes out there.

 

If you like it, buy it, if not, that's more inventory for those of us that want it.  Besides, I've never met a F3 I didn't like.

 

I thought "goofy" was a Disney character?

I got a set of the  "RED LIGHTENING STRIPE" F-3's - A-B-A.  I got a half dozen or so of the  LIONEL LINES boxcars that are painted in the NYC PACEMAKER color scheme. I added a RED Lionel Lines caboose at the end and it makes one heck of a unit trains.  Dennis M.

Compared to glow in the dark Area 51 (which does not exist) equipment, a red stripe NYC F3 is practically prototypical.

 

Photos?

Len2

 

Well said. Heck, they are "close" to being a non-fantasy scheme and they do run well.

 

Ed Boyle

When I was a kid, I saw an H10B NYCS in orange and red!   Oh wait a minute...that was rust !

OK, I don't usually do follow-ups as I don't like "arguments", but I have to tell this

on myself (if a pompous a** can't burst his own balloon, who can?). The red-striped

NYC F3's are still Goofy (yuk-yuk), but:

 

A friend of mine is a big Gulf, Mobile & Ohio fan - not rare here around Mobile, but this

guy grew up in Sparks NV, so, OK. Now, he also likes the Lionel PW PRR 6-8-6 turbine. He requested a few years ago that I paint one for - you guessed it - the GM&O. 

 

So I did. The only known GM&O steam turbine (Alton red boiler and tender, black

below the running boards, "GM&O" on the tender coal bunker and HO-scale GM&O wings on the, er, keystone). Beautiful little beast, actually. 

 

The real one was seen only very, very late at night, in the 1950's. Little known RR fact. You can look it up on the Internet, and you know that anything on the Internet has to be

true. Bonjour.

I saw a set at Edison N.J. g.b. show in march and I think they are beautiful. Was low on cash so I couldn't get them but I got a picture here in my phone that if someone tells me how I will post it. By the way, when did these come out.

How would Giselle Bunchen look with a red stripe?

Thought so.

Still no photo? Enquiring minds want to know what you are talking about.

Studies have shown that most men are 'visual creatures'. We have a natural desire to 'see' things.

That given, the object of discussion seems to be a somewhat unusual color variation of the popular NYC diesel locomotives and there are 13-15 of you posting comments, several purported to have seen or to actually have a set in your possession. Odd that there are still no photos after two of us have requested some. Am certain that others would enjoy a few images as well. Personally, I have no idea what engines we are talking about here being completely unfamiliar with them!

We're not talking U.F.O.s here fellas..   anyone have a cellphone camera handy?

Heres a photo from Lionel wordpress.

 

 

 

THANK YOU  RickO.

 

That's actually pretty nice-looking!

Every man for himself !