Looking for a new Legacy steam engine

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/5230909872208758

watch this---I have the same locomotive...

 

>>So tell me which of your recently purchased Legacy steamers, really wow you.<<

 

If you're looking for "wow" look for anything that arrived after the Hudson last year that included whistle or cylinder smoke.

Also, look for the engine to smoke at idle.  If it does, you'll have the the new processor in it with better sound. If you can find it the S3 is a great engine.

If you can afford it, get the Hudson with all of the above plus that neat swinging bell. Awesome!

Joe 

HI check out this video of the Lionel vision line Hudson

its an awesome engine.

Thanks, Alex

I saw the Mikado video earlier, that was the thread I was referencing.

 

I like the video of the Hudson, but really can't see it.  I will take a look at the Lionel site.

 

Does anyone have this in stock?  

 

So as far as roads go, B&O, C&O ATSF, SP, probably top my list but from seeing the video, maybe ad NYC to the roster.

 

John

I have this one;

 

 

 

available here;

http://www.charlesro.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CRSC&Product_Code=L11332&Category_Code=

how about this ... good price, 0-36, Legacy, Smoking whistle ...  just got this yesterday ..

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/5230909872079676

the Vision Line Hudson is a great choice.  steam whistle effect, quilling whistle, swinging bell, great sounds, great operational characteristics, looks great.

 

was not a hudson fan or NE railroad fan until i got this.  very glad i did.

 

 

I have a prewar version of one of these, great runner.This video is courtesy of forum member PGH Train Fanatic.

 

Wow, the vision line hudson is awesome.  Who has the black one in stock?   I called Trainworld and they did not.  

 

John

I really like the Atlantic Steamer.

http://www.charlesro.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CRSC&Product_Code=L11225&Category_Code=OSALE

 

This Hudson

http://www.grzyboskitrains.com/detail15944.aspx

Eastside Trains has an add in CTT magazine listing the black one in stock for $1599. On the high side for these, but if it is still in your budget, I'd recommend calling them to verify it is still in stock. eastsidetrains.com

>>>Eastside Trains has an add in CTT magazine listing the black one in stock for $1599. On the high side for these, but if it is still in your budget, I'd recommend calling them to verify it is still in stock. eastsidetrains.com<<

 

Way too much.. You'd have to have more bucks the brains to pay full or above retail on any recent engine.

Best bang for the buck today is a MR S-3 Mountain.

Its a great engine in every way including cost..

Joe

True, jbmcormick said he called trainworld looking for one and they were asking $1999 for the last of these. The black hudsons are getting scarce, new ones left are for the most part at or above retail. I agree on the s-3 probably the best deal lionel has had in over a decade, these are disappearing as well.

http://www.trainworldonline.co...son-black-5344-11209

charles ro has the gunmetal gray for 1350.

I also called Trainworld in the beginning of March and was quoted $1999. I was able to find a new one @ $1439. Keep trying, Good Luck.

I agree with most of the advice given. 

1 - I have the Vision Hudson.  It is noticeably pricier than Legacy locos but if you can stretch, worth considering: best sound, period, and nice features and great runner. 

2 - the S3 is nice and a real bargain at some of the prices I've seen.

3 - the new SF Northerns (3751, 3759) have the whistle steam, etc., and look impressive and sound great. 

4 - the 2-6-6-2 Mallet is listed as running on O-54, I have one and it runs nicely on 60" and I doubt Lionel would lie about that.  It has good sound and all the recent features.

 

You mentioned O-54 curves.  Sometimes a loco will run on a diameter but not look good on it, and frankly I think that might be the case with the the northerns, particularly the SF one, and the Mallet - its boiler front will stick out well over an inch beyond the outer rail on curves.  I have all these locos and they look okay on my 60" radii curves but even the northerns a bit "big" and ungainly around curves - I keep them ont he72" loop I have.  The Vision Hudson, is the only loco I list above that seems 'at home" on 60" curves (I have no 54" but I imagine its about the same). 

 

Something to consider is the new Pacifics. They have all the new features and really good sound, etc.   I know you have a Southern Crescent but it comes as the Blue Comet or another more traditional painted roadname, and it is of a size that looks good.  Mine will run on 36" curves but looks a bit ungainly around those curves, but it does nicely on 48 and up.  The Legacy 0-8-0 is worth considering - and rather the least expensive among Legacy locos, but will not have the whistle steam effect and some of the advanced features, and a bit smaller than you probably want, but a nice loco nontheless.

Lee, thank you for the well thought out reply.  I have an older 2-6-6-2 Mallet in C&O livery.  It runs fine on my layout.  Yes the overhang is there but, oh well.

 

I have the MTH Premier SF Northern, and I really like it.

 

I will make a few more calls tomorrow.  Western Depot had both versions for $1,550. I looked on line and wasn't too wild on the gun metal version

 

I wanted to get it for Easter weekend, and being in Chicago I am seeing that likely dwindle in possibility.

Nicholas Smith has a black one listed at $1439.

http://www.nicholassmithtrains...OMOTIVES-/page4.html

I have regretted buying large steamers that "can" run on my layout but really don't look right. It's enticing to go after those big boys, but I have mostly regretted it (including the S-3 which is unarguably awesome just too big). My largest curves are fasttrack o48. I think the Hudson is a great choice if you want to go high end. But it is not prototypical.. If that matters to you. I think the Pennsy K4 is gorgeous, it has whistle steam, and looks nice even on smaller curves. It is also much cheaper than the Hudson in case you have a budget to consider. I would recommend both... I love the Great Northern Mikado (and again the Mikados look nice on small curves). The M1b is amazing but a stretch to fit the layout... Ben

How about a Southern Crescent or The Blue Comet?  These are both medium size steamers and both will run on curves as tight as O36 and both are scale.  Their passenger cars say that are for O54 or greater curves, but since they are not out yet, I cannot confirm if the passenger cars can handle O48 or not.  Most probably if you want to run the passenger cars, you will need O54.

I ordered it from Nicholas Smith, the black one.  Guess i should have asked this but did they make a caboose as well for this?  

 

I have 0-54 so I am not too concerned about the 0-48 Paul.  I ran my C&O Mallet yesterday for the first time in a while.  I really enjoyed that.

 

I shy'd away from the Crescent (which I saw at the DuPage trainshow yesterday) as I already have two Southern steamers.

 

Look forward to getting this!!!

 

John

I have a friend looking for a MR S-3 Northern, he can't find any. They went fast?

Jim

It seems like a lot of the recent Lionel steam offerings are being put on the market sooner rather than later (good) but in only small production lots (bad if you don't pre-order or order soon after.

"I have a friend looking for a MR S-3 Northern, he can't find any. They went fast?"

 

there are people "flipping" them on ebay.

Modeltrainstuff.com also have a few of their initial allocation in stock at a reasonable discount from list.

Thanks for that info. We're slowly getting into O railroading.

 

My only steam engine is a Legacy 0-8-0 (which seems to be plentiful). My friend and I were both thinking of getting a bigger engine.

 

Jim

I think when it rains it pours.  Trainworld sent me something via email with a "blowout sale they are having on a number of their Legacy engines.

 

I am eagerly waiting for my Hudson to show up.  Hopefully tomorrow or Thursday.

 

John

He may need to look a little harder. There are some still shown by some dealers, although perhaps not many. Engine #261 is pretty much gone (the engine that's operational and used on excursions), but I've seen several of the others listed. 

May I suggest a Milwaukee Road S3 Northern.  Lionel's gift to the hobby for 2012 IMHO.

Maybe hard to find cab#261 but others are still available.  Last time I checked about a month ago, Nassau Hobbies still had cab#267.  I have cab#265.  Will negotiate 054 curves.

 

Excellent detail and features; especially the smoke coming out of the cylinders on the front of the engine.  Also features a self adjusting draw bar between the engine and the tender; a first for Lionel's steam engines.

 

Good luck

>>>Maybe hard to find cab#261 but others are still available.  Last time I checked about a month ago, Nassau Hobbies still had cab#267.  I have cab#265.  Will negotiate 054 curves.<<<

 

For obvious reasons Cab #261 is the most in demand but Cab #265, the third road announced I've heard gets the nod for the least made.

Joe

 

 

 

 

When i have a crappy day at work nothing makes me smile more then running my vl hudson ... I hope it brings you the joy i get from mine...

My Hudson arrived yesterday.  Wow, I opened it up and ran it today, wow, wow wow and wow.

 

I am really excited I got it.

 

John