Show Me Your Best

Arnold, I can't say which locomotive outperforms any other.  However, I have two LC+ locos, an A5 Pennsy switcher and a Reading GP-7.  I've been running them on my test layout.  Since I like operating accessories, they make spotting freight cars simpler than a standard post-war loco.  The A5 puts out enough smoke that would make one of those smoke filled rooms in old films look like a clear day.  

And yet, Lionel wisely chose to build the LC line using post-war type motive power.  So running them with post-war equipment looks completely natural.  

Arnold,

Now you have hit upon a really difficult question. Actually, not just difficult but impossible. I don't think I can give you a definitive answer, but my MTH Premier New Haven Railroad EP-5 #371 is one that is among the best that I enjoy running.

MELGAR

Easy answer for me. The MTH PS3 SW1500:

Will crawl all day, great EMD engine sound and I really like the prototype.  

I too have a current "Best". It is NC&StL #806 (EMD F3 A- unit).

And I have a pic of my top 3 "Best". They are all Lionel Legacy diesels.

• 2nd is L&N #2310 (ALCO S2)
• 3rd is L&N #504 (EMD GP9)

B&A 0-8-0 Switcher,  a powerful puller and a great switcher and a fun engine to run

Well, Arnold, my initial response is that my best is whatever I’m running at the time!!! But if I had to make a choice, I can’t limit it to one...

In steam, I love my VisionLine Big Boy. Runs great, has amazing sounds (I love the whistle - sounds like a steamship). While I do not run with smoke, I did have to try two of the smoke generators on this beast. The whistle steam is a great effect, and the alternating double main stack smoke is very nice. It pulls just about any load - once, on my 14’x16’ loop, the front of the engine almost touched the caboose and barely broke a sweat.

On the electric side, hands down it’s the Pennsylvania GG-1. I have several versions, but the VisionLine is my favorite. Great puller, great sound, and I love the operating pantographs (the sparking feature I could take or leave)

When it comes to diesels, there are just too many... F3’s, PA’s, anything in a Warbonnet scheme, or McGinnis, etc., etc., etc.!!!

My 1956 American Flyer Northern Pacific passenger set when I had it.

Nothing has been able to knock this guy off the number one list so far. Milwaukee ABA Electric boxcabs by MTH.

Ya just can't beat EMD F-Units.

Too bad them 2 Alco's snuck into the picture...

Rusty

I agree with Melgar that it is difficult to pick one best locomotive. However, this topic enables us to share our passion for what we are most excited about now, explaining why we feel that way,  and saying what we think is most positive about our trains.

And, like Dan, I am also enamoured with my  LC+ locomotives, particularly my LC+ Erie Camelback, which is another 10 wheeler (4-6-0). 

Here is a short video of the Lionel TMCC NY Central 10 wheeler heading to the Polo Grounds:

Arnold

I'm also a "whatever I'm running type" but my top two would be my LIRR RS-3 (MTH PS-2), and Pennsy A-5 (K-line). Since I have a small layout I like to change out the roads I'm running so next time my favorite could be my Western Maryland BL-2 (WbB) or a Pennsy H-10-44 (MTH w/Railsounds) ....or a.......

If this was a HO forum then hands down it was my Rivarossi NYC Hudson and Pennsy Y6b Mallet

Bob

Arnold,

I absolutely love your picture at the very top. The steam engine, the Diner, the gateman, the platform and the highway flasher all come together really well. Thanks for sharing.

Another topic of intrigue Arnold.  Thank you.  Best can have several avenues.  My best running is my K-line A-5.  My best looking IMHO is my Lionel post war Santa Fe F3 ABA.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Mine changes like a kaleidoscope, but at this time, what is your best locomotive, train set, train car, accessory, whatever, and why?

I will start us off with my recently acquired LIONEL TMCC NY Central 10 wheeler (4-6-0) steamer:

Why is it now my best? IMO, it has the best sounds and smoke, is a very fine scale model, and fits in perfectly with my layout theme, which is The Put. I believe this ten wheeler was the most common steam engine that ran on The Put. This model also has heft (it feels like it weighs a ton figuratively) so it pulls like a bull dog.

Later on, I will post a video of this engine in action, but in the meantime, show me and your other Forum friends your best, and explain why.

Arnold

 

Hi Arnold,

We have a lot in common. I am a fan of the Ol' Put. I was a friend of the late Joe Schiavone and contributed to his three books, "The Old Put," "More of The Old Put," and "The Last of The Old Put." I'm also in one of the videos he did that came with one of his books. I went on several 'Put Walks' with Joe, having walked the trail through Van Cortlandt Park and through  Yonkers, and from Elmsford to Carmel. His lectures on the trail brought the Put to life, as well as the lectures and videos he presented in local libraries that were always excellent.

I grew up in Yonkers and work in White Plains.

Here's a shot that has two of my "Old Put" ten wheelers, 1258 in the foreground and 827 in the upper left..

The other steam locomotive that worked the Put was the 0-8-0 switcher. I believe it was used mainly in the Bronx/Yonkers area but often pulled freight further north.

There are three 0-8-0's in this photo. The one on the left is the TMCC version 7745 and does the switching in my harbor area. The others are from starter sets and are conventional.

And we have RS-1,  RS-3 and RS11 diesels on the layout as well to represent the later day Put..

Arnold,

    Here is a video of my Lionel Legacy B6 switcher. IMHO this is the best switcher ever made, smokes great, sounds great, looks great and runs great. It will run all day at speed step one (less than one scale MPH) and never stall. I own a number of Legacy engines love them all but this is my favorite.

JohnB

This Rio Grande Geep was my very first Command Control locomotive; still runs great; and is one of my all time favorites.

I can't say I have a favorite out of my locomotives, I bought them all because I liked them, and I don't have many (11). This one is my largest and strongest steam locomotive, a MTH Premier Santa Fe 2-10-4 Texas. As far as size goes it's my best.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I agree with Melgar that it is difficult to pick one best locomotive. However, this topic enables us to share our passion for what we are most excited about now, explaining why we feel that way,  and saying what we think is most positive about our trains.

And, like Dan, I am also enamoured with my  LC+ locomotives, particularly my LC+ Erie Camelback, which is another 10 wheeler (4-6-0). 

Here is a short video of the Lionel TMCC NY Central 10 wheeler heading to the Polo Grounds:

 

Arnold

 

Nice video, Arnold. Love the Erector Set bridge - my brother had a bunch of that when we were kids. And I can appreciate the Polo Grounds (a lot more than the House That Ruth Built!!!). I often describe myself as a legally qualified long suffering Met fan - when my brother and I were young, our parents took us to several games that the Mets played at the Polo Grounds... took the subway there from Brooklyn - that was a trip.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I agree with Melgar that it is difficult to pick one best locomotive. However, this topic enables us to share our passion for what we are most excited about now, explaining why we feel that way,  and saying what we think is most positive about our trains.

And, like Dan, I am also enamoured with my  LC+ locomotives, particularly my LC+ Erie Camelback, which is another 10 wheeler (4-6-0). 

Here is a short video of the Lionel TMCC NY Central 10 wheeler heading to the Polo Grounds:

Arnold

 

Arnold,

The "New PUT" is looking terrific. You have really upgraded your layout in a very short time and that new engine and those passenger cars certainly do qualify as "Your Best." I'm anxiously awaiting the next improvement along "The Put." I have an idea but it would be difficult to do.

MELGAR

The bridges I made for an outdoor shelf layout under a covered patio attached to my shop. Three are wood trestles, and one is a soldered steel bridge that spans to door to the shop. A fourth bridge was a school project when my youngest was in 7th grade. We made a section of the Rockville Bridge from wood, cardboard and Styrofoam.

Great thread Arnold, and I agree, it’s hard to have a favorite, but I have always loved the Sante Fe war bonnets. It’s a great hobby and everyone likes different trains, they are all Beautiful. Happy New Year Everyone.....

Still the best.....even after 61 years.....

Peter

Putnam Division posted:

Still the best.....even after 61 years.....

Peter

I knew in an instant who the little boy in the old photo was.  All he needs are the glasses.  

Putnam Division,

Nothing beats a good Lionel postwar F-3. There's just something about them. Excellent picture, thanks for sharing.

I don't really have a favorite locomotive.  Each one I own has its own special meaning to me.  Kind of like having a favorite child...not gonna happen. 

I do, however, have a favorite operating car.  My NYC TMCC crane!  This thing is just plain FUN.  

Tom

Best accessory? Tough choice.

For me, it's between the Postwar 282 magnetic gantry  crane and Postwar operating water tower (with real water):

IMO, both are great, but if I could only have one, it would be the gantry crane because of its superior play value.

Arnold

My favorite accessory is without doubt the Lionel PW 282 Gantry Crane.

My best is always the last project I worked on. This week its my Weaver Hiawatha.

This involved basically lifting the shells and replacing just about everything between the frames and shells. The engine got a new motor and chuff switch. The tender got a new Cruise board, Railsounds board, speaker,and pickup rollers. Both got new markers and the electronics to drive them. Plus numerous other details.

Nest week it will be something different. Stay tuned.

Pete

Arnold,

While these locomotives may not be the very best that I own, they are always on my 12’-by-8’ layout. Boston & Maine F-3 #4257 (Atlas O) pulls a freight train of B&M cars and Long Island Railroad 4-6-0 G-5s #21 (MTH Premier) pulls a set of LIRR Sunrise Special passenger cars (K-Line).

MELGAR

Dan Padova posted:

Putnam Division posted:

Still the best.....even after 61 years.....

Peter

I knew in an instant who the little boy in the old photo was.  All he needs are the glasses.  

And a bow tie 

Lou N

3rd Rail N&W 2300 Jawn Henry, with a brass auxiliary water tender, custom Brother Love Dynamometer car, Tuscan box cars, and a Weaver brass N&W scale caboose.

The "why" is very simple. My Dad worked on the 2300 from 1954-57. He always said that it was the best stationary boiler he ever worked on. This is my best locomotive and the Dynamometer the best car I own. For whatever reason, I did not use my Brother Love N&W CF caboose. It is nicer than the Weaver brass model in this video.

Putnam Division posted:

Still the best.....even after 61 years.....

Fantastic, Peter... I wish I ran that well after 61 years!!! Have you made and modifications/updates to the engine???

Just have a special feeling about this diesel.

Ron

Earlier when trying to post a few favorites my I-pad wouldn’t cooperate so here’s a second try, again, all the pictures are great. 

I have no pictures, and this is not the first one I ever owned, but I recently rescued a Lionel 2321 Trainmaster that I am fixing up.  Someone left the battery in it, but the damage is limited to the area of the battery cover (minor) and rotted handrails.  Im going to smooth up and touch up the battery cover area and I ordered a replacement set of handrails from Trainz.  I've always liked the trainmasters, but never held on to one long enough to really enjoy.  

NYC Fan posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Mine changes like a kaleidoscope, but at this time, what is your best locomotive, train set, train car, accessory, whatever, and why?

I will start us off with my recently acquired LIONEL TMCC NY Central 10 wheeler (4-6-0) steamer:

Why is it now my best? IMO, it has the best sounds and smoke, is a very fine scale model, and fits in perfectly with my layout theme, which is The Put. Arnold

 

Hi Arnold,

We have a lot in common. I am a fan of the Ol' Put. I was a friend of the late Joe Schiavone and contributed to his three books, "The Old Put," "More of The Old Put," and "The Last of The Old Put." I'm also in one of the videos he did that came with one of his books. I went on several 'Put Walks' with Joe, having walked the trail through Van Cortlandt Park and through  Yonkers, and from Elmsford to Carmel. His lectures on the trail brought the Put to life, as well as the lectures and videos he presented in local libraries that were always excellent.

I grew up in Yonkers and work in White Plains.

Here's a shot that has two of my "Old Put" ten wheelers, 1258 in the foreground and 827 in the upper left..

The other steam locomotive that worked the Put was the 0-8-0 switcher. I believe it was used mainly in the Bronx/Yonkers area but often pulled freight further north.

There are three 0-8-0's in this photo. The one on the left is the TMCC version 7745 and does the switching in my harbor area. The others are from starter sets and are conventional.

And we have RS-1,  RS-3 and RS11 diesels on the layout as well to represent the later day Put..

 

Hi Skip,

I have 2 books about the Put: More of the Old Put by Joe Schiavone, which you mentioned, that I recently bought from Tom Panetieri at the Westchester Toy & Train Show this past November, and The Putnam Division NY Central's Bygone Route through Westchester County by Gallo and Kramer.

I grew up in Mt. Vernon and, like you, I work in White Plains.

Your photos show you have a beautiful layout.

Yesterday, I ordered an MTH Proto 3 NY Central RS3 (which I should receive by mid-January) that looks very similar to the NY Central diesel in one of your photos.

I would be delighted to meet you, perhaps for lunch near where we work in White Plains. I will send you an email to see if that can be arranged. Arnold

MELGAR posted:

Arnold,

While these locomotives may not be the very best that I own, they are always on my 12’-by-8’ layout. Boston & Maine F-3 #4257 (Atlas O) pulls a freight train of B&M cars and Long Island Railroad 4-6-0 G-5s #21 (MTH Premier) pulls a set of LIRR Sunrise Special passenger cars (K-Line).

MELGAR

 4257 B&M is a nice engine to run 

here it is in action 

Like Apples above, I have a favorite articulated and a favorite GG1.  The articulated is a "Back-up Malley" (Mallet) made from a piece of auto tail pipe.  It was my first attempt, done in 1984, and ran noiselessly the first time I put it on the track.  I am usually not that lucky. 

The GG1 is hidden in a pleasant group.  All are metal; Diesels and GGs are all sand castings.

Lou N posted:

Dan Padova posted:

Putnam Division posted:

Still the best.....even after 61 years.....

Peter

I knew in an instant who the little boy in the old photo was.  All he needs are the glasses.  

And a bow tie 

Lou N

Love it, gentleman!