Pennsy Torpedo

From what I can remember, the MTH had the better proportioned tender and a poorly proportioned boiler. The Lionel boiler was more proportioned, but the tender was sized like the 2046 tender.  That came from an article in CTT, I never owned either.

Just for overall looks, I would pick the Lionel 18052, but that’s just me.  As far as running, I can’t comment.  I’m stuck in the Prewar rut 1688E-1668-1588 torpedoes.  Including these three, I have 18 of them, in my collection, specifically because of variations.   LOL!

They are similar. The lionel is from the prewar 238e and the mth is based off of the 238e as well. Sounds are great in the lionel and much better tban the mth ps1 in my opinion.  The magnatraction on the lionel is worthless. I installed the spare drivers with tires which was a little better but it won't pull much more than 4 lionel madison cars.  The mth will do a little better there.  Pros and cons to both i think.  

I agree with Dennis on his observations. The Lionel has the pullmor motor and in command it is okay but it can be command controlled versus the MTH which is a PS1 so you get sounds and lots of smoke under conventional controls. My MTH unit had to have the board unscrambled and a new BCR put in and it runs great now. The Lionel is nice but does not have enough traction to have really good pulling power. The MTH units did have a batch of tenders that failed terribly due to zinc pest so that is a consideration also.

If you want command control and are pulling a light or small consist go with the Lionel.

If you want lots of smoke and are comfortable with conventional go with the MTH.

If you want cruise, go with the MTH and upgrade it with the ERR Cruise Commander.

MTH actually replaced the tender shell of one recently that Harry Henning III took out of the box and found a swayback tender.  If they still have them, I think they're replacing them under an extended warranty.

Looked at both....neither looked good to me. Brass is my only option.....The MTH is to 'fat' to me...

I actually have the Lionel version and am awaiting delivery of the MTH version.  My Lionel is a great runner and strong puller.  It, the Lionel, has weak smoke and weak whistle and bell sounds (good chuff sound), but I like the way it looks and runs, overall.  I am hoping that the MTH, Proto 1 version sounds better and smokes more.  When it arrives, and if all goes well, I will probably be selling the Lionel for cheap.  

My opinion,stay away from the lionel...way too heavy,tender weighs a ton can't get out of it's own way...I just got rid of mine...body casting was rough also it is far different then the catalog illustration,  no Baldwin disc drivers and no stripes on the pilot...Lionel enclosed a note saying they could not do the stripes....overall I would say check out the K-Line version....

Why not try try the new Pennsy torpedo from MTH/Railking   

Dave

david1 posted:

Why not try try the new Pennsy torpedo from MTH/Railking   

Dave

That's right! Why bother with PS1 version when you can get the PS2 or PS3 version. BTW I have the PS1 version and love it. No bad tender shell on this one...yet.  

david1 posted:

Why not try try the new Pennsy torpedo from MTH/Railking   

Dave

Is it on their website ?   I looked but could not find it.

Go to MTH's website, click on product locator...

type in "torpedo" and hit search

Found it.  Thanks.  Next question, can it be run in conventional mode ?

AMCDave posted:

Looked at both....neither looked good to me. Brass is my only option.....The MTH is to 'fat' to me...

Dave, I whole heartedly agree!  For me I picked the the Weaver brass model because it looks proportionally correct.

Ron

Dan Padova posted:

Found it.  Thanks.  Next question, can it be run in conventional mode ?

Dan:  all the MTH Locos Proto 1.0 (strictly conventional) and 2.0 can be run in conventional mode, and they work just fine.  I have heard some talk that some Proto 3.0 versions have experienced some problems in conventional.  I have a couple, and have not had problems, but my stuff only sees occasional use.

I've never had a torpedo style locomotive, so I know nothing about them. Still, I found this dialogue very interesting. Thanks for your various opinions, and would refer back to same if I was ever going to consider buying one.

Put an offer in for an MTH version on Ebay yesterday.  Forgot about it until I saw it listed in my "Purchased items" column. :-)

Ahhh, the last of the 2017 train money is spent.  Now, on to the new 2018 budget!