Postwar Celebration steam sets, what can I expect?

I don't have any of the sets or engines but do have quite a few of the cars. All are good quality with modern needle point axles in sprung trucks. I use both original post war engines along with Williams Golden Memories engines, some with added TMCC, to pull them. Like yourself I like the look and feel but am not a purest.

Pete

Thanks, Pete, that's good to know. I've heard good things about the diesel sets, but not much about the steam locos and how they perform. That's why I'm curious about that too.

I sold all my stuff except for a few items.  I had five PWC sets and the standard O with the Hudson had to be kept.  I really like the Hudson.  Great running and sounding engine.  I would rather have that guy than the Legacy one that sold for $1500 any day.  Very macho looking with a deep throated whistle.  And with all the operating cars it is a really nice set to have.  It's a keeper!  If I were you, I'd get that one first, the Wabash F3 set second, then anything else.  Oh yeah, you said steamers.  The Hudson is the only one I have owned, but it is a beauty.

Think they made a 773 and a 736 steamer set. All real nice Reproductions. If you look at what a real nice steamer costs and the price of the complete set, buying the set could be the way to go.

Thanks fellas, I really appreciate the input. I'm interested in all the PWC sets. I mentioned steam here because I'm looking at one of those now. Input on all the PWC sets is welcome. Glad to hear that Hudson freight set is a good one. Funny you mention the Wabash freight set. That's another I'm really interested in.

I also had the GG1 set, which was ok.  The engine ran like crap, just too much stuff jammed under the shell, and the cars with the cranes are kind of useless to run on the layout.  They hardly came out of the box after inspection.  The Virginian Trainmaster set was ok,  I liked the engine, but the cars were not that thrilling.  And the Marines missile launch set.  That was a keeper too, a lot of fun to play with, but just time to move on.  No more layout to run stuff on.  The super O set is super nice!

I have all the PWC sets and I run the Hudson the most. The Wabash and the Missile Launch are on the layout a lot also. The Berkshire is also a strong runner but not a great smoker (maybe just mine). As reported above the GG1 (both of them) are not among my best engines, spend a lot of shelf time. While not steamers I run my Canadian Pacific and the Super Chief passenger sets a lot also.

Regards,

Steve

I wonder if the PWC GG1s have the same problem as the Conventional Classic AC motored ones. Those came with washer for each truck located above the frame instead of below the frame above the truck. The wheel flanges would rub on the frame until that was corrected.

FWIW the Williams GG1s are great runners with or without TMCC. 

Pete

I bought my son the GG-1 freight set when it came out.  We've had very good luck with the GG-1.  Runs smooth with excellent sounds.  My son put over 30 cars behind it and it pulled it the load with ease.  I've even double headed the GG-1 with the another TMCC GG-1.  They ran great together.

We have the PWC Hudson set. Great loco. Pulmor motor, great smoke and sound. 

I sold the set box and cars as I wasn't really interested in the set and wanted to run the loco with Repro Madison coaches. But the cars in all of the PWC series seem to be of great quality. 

Also have the Jersey Central Trainmaster and the N&W J.  Both of these were from break-ups of full sets where I again, didn't want the cars. Smooth runners and no issues.

Well, I certainly appreciate the insight on the PWC sets. I think I'm going to picking these up as I am able to. I guess my next question would be, what is a fair price today for something like the Super O Freight set w/ the Hudson locomotive?

Thanks again for all the help!

Rick

Have both the PWC 773 and 746 --- they both run / sound great

The PWC F3's are awesome

I have all of the PWC and Conventional Classics sets and you cant go wrong. For Steam, the Super O Hudson Set, Followed by the N&W J set are the best. The Berk Set is nice too, but the Sounds are not as loud as the Hudson and J sets. The Railsounds in all the engines are authentic and great, but the Berk engine sounded like a machine gun. I modified mine to have 2 Chuffs per revolution instead of 4 reducing the "machine gun" type sound. I wish there was a way of amplifying the sound to make it a tad louder like the other 2. 

All are fantastic pullers, the graphics are great, smoke and sound are synchronized with the chuff and the assortment of cars in each set chosen from postwar erra spot on the originals, except for the sprung trucks. Expect to pay in the 600 to 800 Range for the Hudson set. I got lucky and bought mine sealed for 450.00!!

GO FOR IT!!!!!

Mark

Can't believe you're saying that about the chuff rate --- went to 4 chuffs in my Hudson --- may be realistic but I'm just not a machine gun fan

Want to go back to 2

LOL I couldnt take the sound in the Berk, so I filed down the 4 tooth cherry switch activator to 2 teeth instead of 4.

Like Mark, I got my PWC super O freight set for less than $500 sealed. That however, doesn't seem to be the norm. 

I see many listings on Ebay for 1k but I'm sure that they can regularly be had for under $800

I cannot comment on the steam sets, but I purchased the Canadian Pacific F3 A-A PWC set back when it came out in the late 90's and have loved it for years.  Runs and sounds great.  I eventually picked up the rest of the add-ons to build an impressive train.  The only issue I had was with a light bulb melting the plastic seat filler in the observation car.  I suspect this may be a common issue for all the passenger sets.   If you are planning on running it under TMCC at 18V and above, then you may want to consider re-wiring the passenger car lamps in series to keep the heat down. 

I got to tell you though, with the add on cars and in full ABBA configuration it's an impressive sight and a crowd pleaser.

Well, after hearing the positive responses from everyone here, I've found a Super O Freight Set, at a fair price, and will pick it up tomorrow. I'll check it out and report back with my impressions. I'm looking forward to the TCA York Meet this fall, and hoping I might find a set or two there! Thanks again for all the great feedback!

Rick

Good move.  I coveted that J space set,  then that little thing called the economy took a dump and I had to sell my house, my trains and tear down my layout.  The Marines missile launch set with the sound car is really cool.  Great for keeping the cat off the layout.  A couple broadsides and it learned not to mess with the big green machine #45.   As soon as it heard, 'scanning for targets', zoom, he was up the stairs in a flash.  Enjoy the Hudson set.

Just some photos and clips of our pwc locos in action last Christmas.

Graz,

Your layout is perfect!

Is that O31 inside and O42 outside?

Wonderful postwar style!

Yes. Thanks!

that was our Christmas layout.

Only stayed up till March.

And yes, 42 on outside and 31 on inside loop.

Love the PWC sets.   Sorry they stop them.  

I'm surprised by the reviews.

It seemed like, when the sets came out, everyone was complaining about how poorly the locomotives ran. The consensus was that the Chinese factories did not know how to make a postwar motor.

Hello Guys and Gals.....

You guys will always have one problem or another when buying Chinese postwar sets.  If any of you wanted Postwar Lionel then get the ORIGINAL postwar trains made in USA.    Many of them are still running today and plenty of parts for it.  Those Chinese made sets will still never be the same as the ORIGINAL sets.  I seem them on YouTube.....

Tiffany

I think the quality improved as time passed.  My Trainmaster set had weak sounds and the cars weren't anything special.  The super O set, the Wabash F3 set and the Marines set have great sounds and the cars were of better quality.  I can't be specific, but that was certainly my impression.

For folks with modest-sized layouts, and who want to run command and have modern sound systems, electrocouplers, directional lighting, etc., the PWC sets have been great. I run a number of PWC F-3s, some of which I've swapped shells on with earlier F-3s, in order to get the TMCC/RS. I have several EP-5s (Great Northern and New Haven) also. All of these have been fine runners. The traditional Geeps equipped with TMCC/RS I'd recommend as well; they're not PWC packaging, but are essentially the same type of engines, and they're great to run. I haven't been into the PWC cars, but run mostly MPC/LTI cars with them, 15" aluminum passenger cars, and frequently scale cars with the F-3s and Geeps (which are scale-sized engines).

I own the PWC Super O freight set with the 773.  I just can't access the set box at this time for lack of room.  My memories of the Hudson are of a very good performing engine straight from the box.  An outstanding feature that impressed me was the then new Railsounds 5.0. 

  I believe Lionel had worked out a lot of the teething problems concerning the mating of TMCC with horizontal Pulmor's by that time.  The same can't be said about pre-Y2K Hudsons, which is probably where the erroneous rumors about the PWC 773 were born.  I wouldn't hesitate to say the PWC 773 was the finest looking and operating Lionel 773 ever!  I noticed that this engine was not included in George Brown's list of Hudsons in the current issue of OGR.

The extra cars and operating accessories in the set are just icing on the cake.  Enjoy it, Rick!

Bruce

I have that Texas special Set and it is really nice in every which way.  You can see it behind me in my avatar.

Norm

I have the PWC B&O set. The F-3s with TMCC do not have cruise control because of the pullmor motor.

Well, since my last post. I've managed to get the Super O Freight Set with the big Hudson, and the N&W "J" Space Freight Set. I gotta say I am very pleased with both of the sets! They run smooth, pull great, and sound awesome. I've now got my eye on the Wabash freight set, then I'll be looking at some passenger sets. Havin' fun! Thanks to all for the advice and feedback! 

We have one of these beauties in stock.

Thanks

Pat

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

6-31757 PWC #2289WS BERKSHIRE FREIGHT SET (LOCO #736) LIONEL MINT IN THE BOX http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details

6-31757 PWC #2289WS BERKSHIRE FREIGHT SET (LOCO #736) LIONEL MINT IN THE BOX NEW IN THE BOX Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Lionel set "to make the run" on the super-realistic Super O track system! Originally released in 1957, this special set is highlighted by a #736 Berkshire equipped with a mighty Pullmor motor, an eight-wheel drive system, and the exclusive gripping power of Magne-Traction. This "14-wheel monarch of the rails" is updated to include the TrainMaster Command Control system and the RailSounds sounds system. The "all-action" #2289WS Berkshire Freight Set is packed with classic cars carefully rendered to match the Postwar originals. It includes the first-time re-issue of the #3359 twin dump car, the #3361 log car with original ratchet-type cam design, a #6430 flatcar with grey-version Cooper-Jarrett vans, the colorful #3494 State of Maine Operating boxcar, and a #6427 caboose. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of this set and Super O, each piece of rolling stock will feature classic die-cast metal bar-end type trucks. ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Individually boxed Postwar Celebration Series plaques and packaging LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES: TrainMaster Command Control equipped - able to run in Command Control Mode or in Conventional Transformer Control Mode Powerful Pullmor motor Wireless Tether connection between locomotive and tender Operating Headlight Die-cast metal locomotive body, frame and trucks on locomotive ElectroCoupler on rear of tender Magne-Traction track gripping system Fan-driven smoke unit Die-cast metal tender body and six wheel trucks RAILSOUNDS 5.0 SOUND SYSTEM WITH CUSTOM RECORDED EFFECTS, INCLUDING: Multi-part CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements to create realistic operating scenarios–from pulling out of the yard to initiating an emergency stop, in both conventional and Command Control environments Realistic operator-controlled effects, including the water injector, activated by the CAB-1 Remote Controller DynaChuff synchronized chuffing that shifts through 15 levels of intensity as the locomotive gains speed Simulate the locomotive running light or battling against a heavy load by manually adjusting the DynaChuff intensity with CAB-1 commands MultiWhistle effect simulates blows at different steam pressures, long and short attacks, and even extra quilling with each press of the whistle button Independently adjustable volume control–use the CAB-1 Remote Controller to lower the level of background effects such as chuffing, while keeping operator-controlled effects such as the whistle at full volume ROLLING STOCK FEATURES: Die-cast metal "bar-end" type trucks and operating couplers #6430 flatcar includes two grey vans Cooper-Jarrett plaques #3359 twin dump car includes coal and dumping tray #3494-275 "State of Maine" boxcar #3361 log car includes wood logs and dumping tray #6427 caboose features interior lighting SET INCLUDES: #736 Berkshire locomotive and tender, #6430 flat car with Cooper-Jarrett vans, #3359 twin dump car, #3494-275 "State of Maine" boxcar, #3361 log car, #6427 Lionel Lines porthole caboose. PW #2289WS Berkshire Freight Set - 3/ Stock Number: 6-31757 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Lionel Product Type: Sets Price: $699.99 Availability: In Stock

Very nice.  I coveted that J space set.  Then the economy took a dump on me.  Down to the super O set.  I still have my Wabash triple lash up set.  Love those Wabash colors.  The F3 in the PWC set has great sounds, dual motors, nice cars.  A real sweet set.  Get the add on A unit and you have a winner.  I sold both to Trainz.com.  Maybe you can snag it for cheap.  Glad you like them.  Have fun.

Thanks for the heads-up, Pat! I'm looking at that one too. I've gotta watch the train budget leading up to York. Don't want to come up short in October and April! ;-)