Question for the RTR TrainSet Experts!

Chip:  I rate the Super Chief cars as better looking because of the double stripes.  From what I remember, the EL Capitan passenger lighting flickered, where-as the Super Chief cars do not.  Also, right now, the Super Chief is less expensive than the El Capitan, if you can find it.  I've looked around and the El Capitan asking prices exceed $300 right now.  

All remaining things are about equal.  Bob

I have neither, but I like the looks of the 2nd one much better, FWIW.

I wonder why the inferior El Capitan Set sells for more?

Maybe because it is older and in less supply?

I think you're exactly right.  When I bought mine, it was at the end of the run, and I paid $320 for it.  I just found the Santa Fe Chief set at Model Train Stuff for $269.99.

Bob

Model Train Stuff aka MB Klein is such a great web store, great inventory, great prices and they accept PayPal!

I have bugged them to advertise on OGR and told Alan about them, but...

ALSO, Lionel sold the B Unit and Unpowered Dummy for the older set, but not the newer set.

Geez...I guess they dont want to make money.

I wonder, if Lionel, WBB ever look and see how much of their stuff is bought and sold on eBay...they they could be selling.

I bought that FT Super Chief Set a number of years ago. It probably was under a different stock number (this had to have been 2007-8?). In fact, I got it online from now defunct etoys at a huge blowout price after reading about it here on the forum.  As I recall, a good handful of forumites picked it up.

I own both of these sets, have never had any problems out of either. I have the 158 engine (El Capitan) and the 162 engine (Chief) along with several  non-powered "A" and "B" units.  I have added several additional cars, and both engines pull hard.  Other than paint scheme and numbering, I don't find a nickel's worth of difference between the two.  I'm sure it's possible to encounter one or the other with an issue, (with recent quality control issues and all that) but that hasn't been my experience.  I was able to buy the Chief @ TRAINZ for $280, including shipping, and got the El Capitan for less than that several years earlier.  It seemed like a good price at the time for brand new in the factory shipper - but I tend to shop around more than some.

I really enjoy running these sets and that may have as much to do with my previous history w/ Lionel (as a youngster) and sentimental value.  I would easily recommend either of these sets for "play" value.  And yes, there are lots of Santa Fe products on e-bay selling for much less than retail, which may be why Lionel is not offering much new Santa Fe at the moment.

Steam Rules

"a country boy can survive!"    (Bocephus, 1981)

OMG!  I haven't thought about ETOYS in forever!  Did I ever take a beating on that one!  Once it reached a dollar a share, no one would even buy it!  So, it went to one cent a share, and then went away!  So did my investment.  There was talk it would make a comeback, but never did.  Thanks for the memories.  

Are you guys just running them on basic layouts like Christmas Tree layouts or do you also have them on larger layouts?

Personally I don't like the "Trainsounds" sets.  "Trainsounds" was a big step backwards for Lionel in the sound quality department.  I would get the "RAILSOUNDS" set of the 6-30178.  Plus the ability to adjust the volume is a big plus for the Christmas tree layouts.

http://www.jrjunction.com/cgi-...=action&key=2918

An unpowered dummy unit?  Isn't that a bit redundant? 

I should have said an unpowered A Unit.

I hadn't either, Bob. This thread jogged my memory. As I mentioned, several folks here started posting about this blowout sale on the Santa Fe set (I think I got it for $220 or so) and I jumped in and bought one. Now that I think aboiut it that set (which I still have) came with tubular track as FasTrack was just starting to make an appearance. 

I think it's a government thing.  It's just like quasi-government officials.