PRR "The Trail Blazer" - Pennsy F3's and matching Passenger Cars

I love my complete set too. Curiously, I began with the powered B and the add on cars since at the time they were difficult to locate. I remember running the orphaned B with my first Cab2. Crazy! These ten cars though sure make a fine looking train. Not all “scale” sized but they certainly handle the smaller curves with style and substance. The detail and colors at this price couldn’t be better. Thank you for sharing this cool video! It’s much easier to watch yours this evening then to unpack mine. Thanks again and best, Willard

@WRW posted:

I love my set too. Curiously, I began with the powered B and the add on cars since at the time they were difficult to locate. I remember running the orphaned B with my first Cab2. Crazy! These ten cars though sure make a fine looking train. Not all “scale” sized but they certainly handle the smaller curves with style and substance. The detail and colors at this price couldn’t be better. Thank you for sharing this cool video! It’s much easier to watch yours this evening then to unpack mine. Thanks again and best, Willard

Hey WIllard.  Thanks for the kind words. Yep, I agree with the looks of the set. I bought the set at York and then found the add on cars and B units later. My smallest curve on my layout is 088 but I prefer the 15” and 18” passenger cars. The only 21” cars I own is the Conrail set.

I am glad I could help out with my video. Let me know if you want to see any others to avoid that “unpacking”.🙂🙂🙂🙂

Donald

Really nice video. Agree it's a great set (along with the Texas Special offered at the same time). Nice cars, and upgraded F3s with added details and full Legacy systems. The square-ended observaton is nice to add some variation to a passenger set. I added LED marker lights to mine. These sets are great for large layouts, but certainly for those with smaller layouts that can't accomodate the large 21" cars Lionel has been making.

It would have been nice if Lionel could have produced a few more than two sets in this Neil Young series before closing the book (apparently for good) on these aluminum passenger car sets.

This was from when I was first unpacking these back in March ‘19. This set will stay even after I right size someday. I am floor guy though they have seen some great elevated time too.

@breezinup posted:

Really nice video. Agree it's a great set (along with the Texas Special offered at the same time). Nice cars, and upgraded F3s with added details and full Legacy systems. The square-ended observaton is nice to add some variation to a passenger set. I added LED marker lights to mine. These sets are great for large layouts, but certainly for those with smaller layouts that can't accomodate the large 21" cars Lionel has been making.

It would have been nice if Lionel could have produced a few more than two sets in this Neil Young series before closing the book (apparently for good) on these aluminum passenger car sets.

Yep, I agree. Two sets and done. Lionel has moved away from these items to invest heavily in the 21” cars. I am really not sure how they sell them all and that guys all have layouts with generous curves to run them without problems.  Oh well, I am happy with the two sets I have. I also have a few of their Postwar series sets with F3’s and 15” aluminum cars. Great sets too, but cars with passenger window insets and no interiors. But they lack all the detail that the Neil Young series has.

Maybe I will make some videos of the Postwar series stuff. Could be fun to watch.

I remember your comment with the rear markers on the flat end Observation. A great idea and looks good!

Donald

@WRW posted:

This was from when I was first unpacking these back in March ‘19. This set will stay even after I right size someday. I am floor guy though they have seen some great elevated time too.

nothing wrong with carpet running!

Donald

Wow, that’s awesome.  Great modeling and the videos are fun to watch.  I like it!

Nice

Your videos are awesome and much appreciated especially when involving the PRR!

Thank you!

Donald, that's really an exceptional video.  Thanks for sharing!

George

Another great video!!!

@3rail posted:

Yep, I agree. Two sets and done. Oh well, I am happy with the two sets I have. I also have a few of their Postwar series sets with F3’s and 15” aluminum cars. Great sets too, but cars with passenger window insets and no interiors. But they lack all the detail that the Neil Young series has.

Note that Lionel also did several sets of passenger cars previously with the same detailing as the Neil Young sets, and maybe even more detailed interiors. These include a Santa Fe Super Chief, Southern, California Zephyr, Union Pacific, and D&H. Detailed, painted interiors, passenger figures, add-on metal details, diecast sprung trucks, etc. Really nice sets.

@breezinup posted:

Note that Lionel also did several sets of passenger cars previously with the same detailing as the Neil Young sets, and maybe even more detailed interiors. These include a Santa Fe Super Chief, Southern, California Zephyr, Union Pacific, and D&H. Detailed, painted interiors, passenger figures, add-on metal details, diecast sprung trucks, etc. Really nice sets.

yes…old age is catching up fast. Thank you for such fine pics. I have both the Union Pacific Anniversary set and the Santa Fe Super Chief set on my wall. I picked up the Super Chief at York 2 years ago for an amazing price I could not walk away from.  I need to make videos for both of these. I do not have or remember the California Zephyr set or the Southern set. Did they come with Locomotives, etc? I do remember the D&H set.

Thanks again for your comment.

Donald

Nice video!

3Rail, Donald, Wow, and amazing video, and a really great layout. Thanks for posting videos for our fun reviews. Happy Railroading Everyone

@3rail posted:

.....I have both the Union Pacific Anniversary set and the Santa Fe Super Chief set on my wall. I picked up the Super Chief at York 2 years ago for an amazing price I could not walk away from.  I need to make videos for both of these. I do not have or remember the California Zephyr set or the Southern set. Did they come with Locomotives, etc? I do remember the D&H set.

Thanks again for your comment.

Donald

The California Zephyr set (including a visa dome observation and two other visa domes) and the Southern set were separate passenger sets, each with a 4-car set and 2-car add-on. The UP Anniversary set, as you know, had seven cars, with the addition of the sound diner. I don't know of any other regular production passenger cars that have better, more colorful and individually detailed interiors than these sets have.

At the bottom is the baggage for the Southern set. Sorry to see these aluminum sets go. Beautiful appearance with that sheen - nothing else like it for these kinds of stainless cars.

@breezinup posted:

The California Zephyr set (including a visa dome observation and two other visa domes) and the Southern set were separate passenger sets, each with a 4-car set and 2-car add-on. The UP Anniversary set, as you know, had seven cars, with the addition of the sound diner. I don't know of any other regular production passenger cars that have better, more colorful and individually detailed interiors than these sets have.

At the bottom is the baggage for the Southern set. Sorry to see these aluminum sets go. Beautiful appearance with that sheen - nothing else like it for these kinds of stainless cars.

Thank you for the additional information and pictures. I did some research myself this morning based on your input and found the 4 and 2 car sets. I will certainly add the CB&Q Zephyr sets to my list I carry to shows. They are indeed beautiful. Again, thanks. I do appreciate the time you took to post this information and pics.

@breezinup posted:

Really nice video. Agree it's a great set (along with the Texas Special offered at the same time). Nice cars, and upgraded F3s with added details and full Legacy systems. The square-ended observaton is nice to add some variation to a passenger set. I added LED marker lights to mine. These sets are great for large layouts, but certainly for those with smaller layouts that can't accomodate the large 21" cars Lionel has been making.

It would have been nice if Lionel could have produced a few more than two sets in this Neil Young series before closing the book (apparently for good) on these aluminum passenger car sets.

I know this set  Its mine tomorrowww 🙏🏼