Suggestions for inexpensive locomotive? (new or used)

Don't think you'll find anything under $100 without risk unless a forum member has an older one up for sale.

For new, simple, and relatively cheap steam without sound, I'd look at a WBB 4-6-0. Best conventional runner I've owned from the modern era. Had it upgraded to ERR command. Take a look at Marios, TrainWorld, or Western Depot. I think I saw an ad from TrainWorld with an ad for this engine in NYC for < $200 as part of a set break-up. Marios has the set in NYC with freight cars and UP with passenger cars for $279.

Williams (WbB) makes nice, entry level conventional locos. Well detailed with the features you are looking for. Look at anything from K-line too.

This forum or Trainz.com

Search results: 151 results for "steam" (trainz.com)

Have Fun!

Ron

Search on Williams. For sure you can diesels for under 100 bucks, steam may be a bit more.

Pete

At this point, Postwar Lionel often goes for less than $100.  Older Williams locomotives that are very robust often go for less than $100 as well.   Some of the basic K-Line locomotives are also good values such as the semi-scale Alcos based on the Kusan tooling.  Anything that is conventional and not true O scale will often be priced very well these days unless it is a rare item or in the case of Postwar, in the most pristine condition.

I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I have multiple locomotives I plan on selling for less than $100 each.  Not offering them for sale directly here, but once I get around to it, they will be on the buy-sell forum. 

There you go...🙂

Mark in Oregon

For right around $100 you can pick up one of the Lionel conventional control 0-6-0 docksiders, which are really well detailed and robust little locos.

If you camp out long enough, one can find one of the less expensive postwar Lionel diesels right around $100-150 dollers.  Usually a ratty or dirty GP, or if your lucky a single motor F3 powered unit.   If you save a bit more, you can find good solid 2343 Santa Fe F3's for the 225 to 300 price range and have a solid powerhouse of a diesel that will pull the house down.  I gave $185 for a pair of 2344 NYC F3's(with 2333 shells on them) at a show the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Had to be fully serviced before they would even move under power.  But that is simple work for myself and work that I enjoy.  The deals are out there, he had those F3's marked $250 and instantly dropped them to $185 the moment I showed interest at the last hour of the show.   AD

Our buddy Thomas is $100 brand new with sounds and a LionChief controller.  The one without Bluetooth is even cheaper.

The old K-Line Alco's and MP15's are easy to come by, pull great, for short trains, semi-scale stuff, and can be found on the bay for less than a hundred bucks. I have several of both types that I have had for years with no complaints. Best bang for the buck. Some of the Lionel stuff is about as good and have very similar mechanisms. I have a Lionel U36B that has dual motors that is comparable to the K-Lines in size, detail, price and pulling power. I had a Lionel RS-3 that had dual motors and was similar to the previously mentioned locos, but it was too light to be a good puller for my rolling stock. It was decent at pulling a few O-27 cars, not much more. A little weight may have helped, but there wasn't much room to add weight so I sold it.

A 2037 with whistle tender can be had for $100.00 or less.  I still have mine from 1957 and it still runs great with usual maintenance.  Check the bay.

Check the For Sale or Trade section of this Forum before "the bay".

You'll find some nice inexpensive engines for sale there

I agree on the 2037.  One of the most dependable engines Lionel made.  Comes with smoke and working whistle if you are lucky.  Normally in the $100 range.  Your 2046 is a small Hudson(4-6-4).  The Berkshire(2-8-4) was 736 if memory serves.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

Your 2046 is a small Hudson(4-6-4).

Yes, I stand corrected.

Lionelski,

I today agree with you, that it is always best to check the For Sale forum here before buying elsewhere.

Yet speaking as a low-end buyer, I rarely see any locomotives that are less than $250.   Many are $400 and up!   

I guess they're made of gold!    :-)

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Lionelski,

I today agree with you, that it is always best to check the For Sale forum here before buying elsewhere.

Yet speaking as a low-end buyer, I rarely see any locomotives that are less than $250.   Many are $400 and up!   

I guess they're made of gold!    :-)

Mannyrock

Exactly why I recommended looking on eBay and not the forum. Rarely is there a loco posted for sale here that is in the OP's price range.

@Mike D posted:

Exactly why I recommended looking on eBay and not the forum. Rarely is there a loco posted for sale here that is in the OP's price range.

I would respectively disagree.  I sell items on the forum for better prices than I would on eBay because I don't have the fees that eBay piles onto the sales price and the shipping.  While the locomotive I have sold to date have not been in the OP's price range they would have gone for much more than I posted here on eBay to cover my costs.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I would respectively disagree.  I sell items on the forum for better prices than I would on eBay because I don't have the fees that eBay piles onto the sales price and the shipping.  While the locomotive I have sold to date have not been in the OP's price range they would have gone for much more than I posted here on eBay to cover my costs.

I understand what you are saying, however, in regards to this post, it is irrelevant. If you are selling $1000 locos for half price, you are still $400 higher than the OP wants to spend. If he were looking for something else in a higher price range I would most certainly suggest checking the Buy/Sell first. There are plenty of locos for $250.00 and up. IMO he will not find anything in his price range on the forum and will be wasting his time. I look for items here on occasion and I can't recall the last time I came across a decent, running loco that was listed for less than a hundred bucks.

I feel like we have hijacked this thread with a debate on an unrelated topic. Maybe a new topic is in order if you wish to discuss it further.

@Mike D posted:

I understand what you are saying, however, in regards to this post, it is irrelevant. If you are selling $1000 locos for half price, you are still $400 higher than the OP wants to spend. If he were looking for something else in a higher price range I would most certainly suggest checking the Buy/Sell first. There are plenty of locos for $250.00 and up. IMO he will not find anything in his price range on the forum and will be wasting his time. I look for items here on occasion and I can't recall the last time I came across a decent, running loco that was listed for less than a hundred bucks.

I feel like we have hijacked this thread with a debate on an unrelated topic. Maybe a new topic is in order if you wish to discuss it further.

I would suggest you read the whole thread.  I have several locomotives that will be listed for under $100.  I just need to get them out and photograph them prior to offering them for sale. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I would suggest you read the whole thread.  I have several locomotives that will be listed for under $100.  I just need to get them out and photograph them prior to offering them for sale.

I read the whole thread. You said you aren't offering them directly. You also do not have them listed right now. If you don't have them listed yet, why would he look for them? Is he supposed to check everyday in the hopes that you get around to it in a reasonable time frame? You don't have anything that the OP wants that is available for sale right now. Nor does anyone else. He will find hundreds of items on eBay. I understand you are looking out for your own interests here because you have stuff you want to get rid of. I am looking out for the OP that is looking for a loco and has a price point he wants to stay under. I would imagine he doesn't want to wait until it is convenient for you or anyone else to get around to posting something he may be interested in.

Don't take it the wrong way. I am not trying to give you a hard time. I am merely trying to help NW find a locomotive and giving him the best option to help him find what he wants in a reasonable time frame and at his price point. If you know of anything available on the forum right now that NW might be interested in, please help him out and point him in the right direction. If I knew of something on the forum I would point him in that direction.

I agree with Jonathan.  There are many locomotives available for $100 or under.  I will also be posting at least 4 postwar steam locomotives for $100 or under plus a postwar set (unboxed) for under $100.  Just have to get them out and photographed.  Not the most beautiful collector items but all run, whistles work, and smoke units work on the ones with smoke.

Same as Jonathan, I don't sell on EBay because of their percentage. Plus they now want direct access to your checking account, like that is ever going to happen. The buyer also has to pay tax and some of the sellers charge exorbitant prices for shipping.  You are much better off keeping an eye on the OGR Sell/Trade forum for good deals.  I have purchased some great deals here.

@lionelflyer posted:

I agree with Jonathan.  There are many locomotives available for $100 or under.  I will also be posting at least 4 postwar steam locomotives for $100 or under plus a postwar set (unboxed) for under $100.  Just have to get them out and photographed.  Not the most beautiful collector items but all run, whistles work, and smoke units work on the ones with smoke.

Same as Jonathan, I don't sell on EBay because of their percentage. Plus they now want direct access to your checking account, like that is ever going to happen. The buyer also has to pay tax and some of the sellers charge exorbitant prices for shipping.  You are much better off keeping an eye on the OGR Sell/Trade forum for good deals.  I have purchased some great deals here.

Same as Jonathan, you don't have them for sale right now. Nor have either of you given him a time frame he might expect them to be available.

I totally get where you all are coming from as a seller on eBay. I don't like selling on there either.

NW is an O-gauger looking for a loco. That is all he came here for. Please link to a loco on here at the right price and I will concede. Better yet, post yours and help him out.

@Mike D posted:

I read the whole thread. You said you aren't offering them directly. You also do not have them listed right now. If you don't have them listed yet, why would he look for them? Is he supposed to check everyday in the hopes that you get around to it in a reasonable time frame? You don't have anything that the OP wants that is available for sale right now. Nor does anyone else. He will find hundreds of items on eBay. I understand you are looking out for your own interests here because you have stuff you want to get rid of. I am looking out for the OP that is looking for a loco and has a price point he wants to stay under. I would imagine he doesn't want to wait until it is convenient for you or anyone else to get around to posting something he may be interested in.

Don't take it the wrong way. I am not trying to give you a hard time. I am merely trying to help NW find a locomotive and giving him the best option to help him find what he wants in a reasonable time frame and at his price point. If you know of anything available on the forum right now that NW might be interested in, please help him out and point him in the right direction. If I knew of something on the forum I would point him in that direction.

I have posted locomotives for $50.00 in the recent past on this forum.  I guess I need to repost and see if there is any interest this time.  I have never sold anything on eBay.  All my sales have been generated by the fine people of this forum.

I would like to also recommend looking at the for-sale section of the forum as well as looking at the forum sponsors. Postwar steamers are fantastic and will run for forever, I am a fan of the 2025 and 2056.

One forum sponsor, Trainworld, is running a special for WBB 4-6-0 for ~$150, they were set breakups. I do know that it is above your stated $100 but considering these are new, I thought you might be interested.
Williams #WIL1235 New York Central 4-6-0 Steam Engine #1235 With Whistle, Bell & Smoke (trainworld.com)
Williams #WIL1322 Union Pacific 4-6-0 Steam Engine #1322 With Whistle, Bell & Smoke NO BOX (trainworld.com)

The video below is from Trainworld and shows off the above



Bryce

This is definitely not directed at Jonathan or Lionelflyer,

Yet I read these boards at least twice a day, and I constantly read posts where folks say that they have way too many locomotives, that it is time to "thin the herd," and that they've got to get them out of the boxes and list them.

And then, . . .nothing happens.

Where are these leagues of items destined to be culled from the herds? 

I think the vast majority of them are still in the herds, . . . in the boxes . . .  in the basements.  :-)

I would love to buy more items from Members.  The one engine I've bought, and the tinplate cars I've bought, have been great.

Mannyrock

In that price range, in addition to what has been mentioned, there is the ubiquitous Lionel 4-4-2 that has been made by the thousands since the late 80’s and put in starter sets. It’s a very reliable runner . Also MTH put out a variety of 0-4-0’s, 2-6-0’s, 4-6-0’s and 2-8-0’s in Railking starter sets with conventional control and whistle or with sound that I have been able to pick up used versions for $100 or a little more . Very reliable , sturdy and good runners

@Mike D posted:

Exactly why I recommended looking on eBay and not the forum. Rarely is there a loco posted for sale here that is in the OP's price range.

I dunno - I have a beautiful Post War Rock Island Alco up now for way less than $100.

Ya just gotta look

I  prefer a diesel over a steam engine. No front pony truck and no rear trailing truck. I would be more than happy with a set of MPC Pennsylvania F-3's. Either the Tuscan or Brunswick green set.

@BRIAN WHITE posted:

In that price range, in addition to what has been mentioned, there is the ubiquitous Lionel 4-4-2 that has been made by the thousands since the late 80’s and put in starter sets. It’s a very reliable runner . Also MTH put out a variety of 0-4-0’s, 2-6-0’s, 4-6-0’s and 2-8-0’s in Railking starter sets with conventional control and whistle or with sound that I have been able to pick up used versions for $100 or a little more . Very reliable , sturdy and good runners

Regarding 4-4-2’s, absolutely agree. They are tough little engines. I have a few, but I have one that is my test engine. I’ve run it and run it and it keeps going. I inspect it occasionally and do maint as required. The weakest point on them is the smoke unit and reverse unit. I’ve removed the smoke unit from my test lok, as I know it is a point of weakness, but beyond that a solid runner. And to clarify these are the 4-4-2’s from the mid 1980’s forward.

Steve

Atlas SW models, diesel switcher,  maybe a bit more than most would pay even on the secondary market.  Good motor, low speed operation, without electronic speed control. Detail acceptable. Has electro-couplers and some lighting.

Buying from eBay gets you a solid return program too. I bought a GG1 on this forum which had terrible zinc rot. Seller offered a partial refund but I was stuck with something I didn't really want. No recourse on the forum if there is a disagreement short of dragging another member through the mud. Ive scored some great deals on track and switches on the forum. Just my opinion/experience.

The question is: do you REALLY want to invest even "$100 or less" in any  conventional locomotive??  If your layout (now or in the future) grows to be large enough you will appreciate walkaround cab control. 

A brand new Lionel starter set is about $300- and for that you get some track, a handheld controller, a locomotive with the benefits of cab control, smoke, and sound, and 3 or 5 cars.  If you have tubular track, there is an adapter to add the newer set track with roadbed to your existing layout. If nothing else these allow you to enjoy your trains from multiple vantage points.

The (new)  starter loco alone lists for near $200.  But the sets, new ($300) or used ($150?), offer a lot of features for the money. 

The locos in  "starter sets" are OK-  really good,  for the money.  Their weakness is that they have very small motors, and are NOT designed to pull more than a very few, light cars - 5 or 6, or any grades.  In some cases, once the small motor dies, you can upgrade for about $30 to a larger motor.  The sound features are generally designed for kids- ("All aboard for the Pennsylvania Express!!")-  and a less-than realistic set of engine sounds than a $500 new one.

You can power them from the transformer you already own (in place of the set wall wart).  The weakness is that the older transformers had circuit breakers that were slow-operating, and could allow a short that will smoke a modern engines' electronics in case of derailments.  So add a $15 2-5 amp post-transformer fast acting circuit breaker.

Just my $.02.

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

I would like to also recommend looking at the for-sale section of the forum as well as looking at the forum sponsors. Postwar steamers are fantastic and will run for forever, I am a fan of the 2025 and 2056.

One forum sponsor, Trainworld, is running a special for WBB 4-6-0 for ~$150, they were set breakups. I do know that it is above your stated $100 but considering these are new, I thought you might be interested.

IMO, these are both excellent suggestions.  In addition, Trainworld has a slew of WBB diesels for under $200 - great runners.

Go to a meet - you're almost certain to see tables full of postwar diecast steamers with a few nicks and scratches for under $100.  Most meets have a test track available so that you can know exactly what you're getting.

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

I would like to also recommend looking at the for-sale section of the forum as well as looking at the forum sponsors. Postwar steamers are fantastic and will run for forever, I am a fan of the 2025 and 2056.

One forum sponsor, Trainworld, is running a special for WBB 4-6-0 for ~$150, they were set breakups. I do know that it is above your stated $100 but considering these are new, I thought you might be interested.
Williams #WIL1235 New York Central 4-6-0 Steam Engine #1235 With Whistle, Bell & Smoke (trainworld.com)
Williams #WIL1322 Union Pacific 4-6-0 Steam Engine #1322 With Whistle, Bell & Smoke NO BOX (trainworld.com)

The video below is from Trainworld and shows off the above

Bryce

I love this little engine. It runs as though it has speed/cruise control due to, reportedly, better gearing. No jack rabbit starts and no need to run at full throttle. I added ERR DC Commander without cruise, and it runs nearly as well as those with cruise. Looks great leading a string of O27 Madison cars. I know it's a bit over the OP's original budget but, hey, who doesn't break their budget from time to time when it comes to trains?

Take your $100 in small bills to a local train show.  You will find your locomotive or it will find you.

Charlie

      I think that an excellent general theme of advice among the posts is, that if you buy a loco for $100 or less, there is going to be a high chance that it will be an under performer, or have a hidden problem, or will work out so that you are just not happy with it.  So, there goes your $100.

   On the other hand, if you spend just $50 more or so, and get into the used $150+ range, you have much more selections to choose from, and can generally get a much better locomotive.

  Also, I understand that you are looking for a steamer, but my experience over the past 18 months is that mid-size to large size diesels are virtually trouble free compared to steamers.   Two trucks, fore and aft, plus dual can motors, plus really nice electronic horn and bell sounds, are what you get.   Steamers, though beautiful, may have the issue of small bouncing fore and after trucks, often aching for derailment, smoke units that work for a while or not, whistles that may or may not really slow down the engine, drive rods that may be or become bent, causing wheel binding, and a host of other mechanical issues, and often the extra train weight of a tender.

     If you are the type of person who enjoys analyzing and solving these types of issues, then steamers are for you.

     If not, then consider the diesels, or limit yourself to steamers like the post war Lionel Scout Engines, that are very inexpensive, virtually trouble free, and bullet proof, or used inexpensive Lionel starter set engines.

     Hope this helps.

     Mannyrock

NW,

Go to Trainworld.com.  They have Williams 2-6-0 Union Pacific Steam Engines, with whistle, bell and smoke, on sale for $149!  These are medium powered, well regarded, starter locomotives.   

In the price range you may be looking for, I think this would be a good fit for you.   

(Don't waste your money buying a piece of layout design software.  Folks built great layouts for 75 years or more without them, and most folks starting out still don't use them.  Put your extra money in your first steam loco.)

Hope this helps.

Mannyrock

There has been comments on this, and its sister thread (posted by the OP of this thread), somewhat steering Forum members away from it's For Sale or Trade section, in favor of the "bay". There ARE great deals on this Forum.

I just wanted to give kudos to the For Sale or Trade section. I've been very successful selling items there, and have made some online friends at the same time. A perfect example; on my last post there just a few days ago, I already sold 8 of the 11 items I posted.

Oops, slip of the hand.  The Williams engines are 4-6-0 engines.  I just ordered one.

Mannyrock