Is the Berkshire Steamer offered in NYC or PRR?
Ponz
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??????
Could you be a bit more specific?
Postwar or MPC/Modern? Postwar Lionel 736 never had a NYC lettered tender, but did have a 736W PA lettered tender from 1960 - 1968. You may be able to use a NYC lettered tender shell from the MPC 8206 and place on a 2671WX or 2046W frame to make a postwar NYC tender. The 726/736 are based on NYC locomotives, not PA.
Not to pile on - but the 2-8-4 (nicknamed Berkshire, on many roads) has been offered by many makers as models of various prototypes (real ones, different roads, different designs). Scale, sub-scale, toy-like. Brass, die-cast.
Also, the PRR never owned any, and the NYC proper never did, either - but a couple of their subsidiaries (P≤ B&A) did.
Right. The closest thing to a NYC Berkshire would probably be a P&LE A-2 (which MTH did make a Premier model of.)
Sorry to sound so ignorant guys.
I'm looking for a HEFTY scale steamer that can negotiate O42 curves and not look out of place pulling my larger fleet of Pecos River freight cars and heavyweight Pullmans.
Ponz
The PRR never had any berks. The NYC did have 2 different classes on two of their subsidiary roads, the Boston and Albany and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie. As far as models in O gauge you can get both of those models in scale.
Lionel has made some junior berks in PRR but I never had paid much attention to NYC stuff. There were 611 berks made for railroads in the states and Canada. There have been many of those prototypes made in O and O scale (hi-rail).
Hope that helps.
The Lionel Scale Berks typically require 0-54 curves.
I love these models....but if you want to run something scale with your curves, in NYC or Pennsy, why not got with a scale USRA Mikado from K-Line or Lionel?
PONZ,
You may want to look at the Pennsy M1a which was a 4-8-2 Mountain. As stated earlier the PRR did not own any Berkshires (2-8-4) but the M1a will do the job. The tender is about as long as the engine so it is a substantial engine. Lionel did the M1a (Legacy) a few years ago, you could get lucky and find one also keep an eye on the Buy/Trade forum. They also did a M1b with Legacy when Legacy just came out. The M1a has whistle steam, the M1b did not.
MTH also did M1a and M1b engines but since I do not own any MTH engine I can not recommend them.
The Lionel M1a & M1b had two fat boy speakers and great sound.
JohnB
The Lionel M1a's are great locos....but didn't Lionel recommend 0-54 curves for that?
Even if you could squeak by with 0-42, it wouldn't look right....IMHO.
Now, a Lionel Pennsy K-4 that is from the K-Line tooling....that might be the ticket.
Berkshire President posted:The Lionel Scale Berks typically require 0-54 curves.
I love these models....but if you want to run something scale with your curves, in NYC or Pennsy, why not got with a scale USRA Mikado from K-Line or Lionel?
I've been looking at a few of those but they don't seem to be any larger or longer than my semi-scale MTH Hudson or 4KS. I want something to stand out in front of my larger cars.
What about an MTH Rail King 30-1149-1 Pennsylvania Cab 6200 S-2 Proto-Sound 6-8-6 Turbine Engine?
It's rated for O31 and is 25-3/4" long.
The web says PS2, but the listing I'm looking at says QSI
Ponz
Ponz posted:Berkshire President posted:The Lionel Scale Berks typically require 0-54 curves.
I love these models....but if you want to run something scale with your curves, in NYC or Pennsy, why not got with a scale USRA Mikado from K-Line or Lionel?
I've been looking at a few of those but they don't seem to be any larger or longer than my semi-scale MTH Hudson or 4KS. I want something to stand out in front of my larger cars.
Large, scale steam and 0-42 curves are mutually exclusive....in O Scale. Something has to give. 
FWIW, I was running my Legacy NKP 765 on my inner "loop" of 0-63 last night. That engine runs looks much better running on 0-72 than even 0-63.....and it's "minimum is 0-54.
What about the K-Line Scale Hudson from 2003 or so? Add ERR and a Super Chuffer and look out!!
Those are great locomotives. I would get the PS2 or PS3 version. There have been some problems with QSI boards dying. Ours is still running but some other QSI (PS1) engines have stop running and we changed them over to PS2.
JohnB posted:PONZ,
You may want to look at the Pennsy M1a which was a 4-8-2 Mountain. As stated earlier the PRR did not own any Berkshires (2-8-4) but the M1a will do the job. The tender is about as long as the engine so it is a substantial engine. Lionel did the M1a (Legacy) a few years ago, you could get lucky and find one also keep an eye on the Buy/Trade forum. They also did a M1b with Legacy when Legacy just came out. The M1a has whistle steam, the M1b did not.
MTH also did M1a and M1b engines but since I do not own any MTH engine I can not recommend them.
The Lionel M1a & M1b had two fat boy speakers and great sound.
JohnB
Good looking engine John, but rated for O54
Ponz
With O42 curves, I'd urge you to consider a semi-scale (sometimes called O27 or O Gauge) steam engine rather than a full 1:48 scale (O scale). Semi-scale engines are generally smaller than scale the 2-8-4, 4-8-2, and 4-6-4 wheel configurations you're mentioning.
Lionel offered Junior Berkshires that handle O27 curves in both the NYC and PRR, but neither are prototypical since neither railroad actually owned Berks. For semi-scalers, that's often not a consideration. Be careful, though, with these as they're pretty small and might be outsized by your rolling stock.
I'm actually looking to sell my PRR Junior Berk. If it's a fit, let me know and I'll make you a deal you can't refuse.
MTH did make a semi-scale Berk for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie line, part of the NYC, and its tender says NYC. These are really hard to find on the used market.
Staying with the NYC and PRR roads, you could look at a Lionel Lionchief Plus 2-8-2 in either PRR or NYC. Newer technology with bluetooth.
If you want to jump over to MTH, your options open up in the semi-scale Rail King line in PRR. You could go with a semi-scale 2-8-2 or a 4-8-2 and still handle 42" curves. I'm pining for a Rail King 4-8-2.
Both manufacturers as well as old K-Line offer gobs of semi-scale NYC 4-6-4 engines (Hudsons). Could be the most common semi-scale engine on the market. For my money, the best looking semi-scale Hudsons are the Lionel LionMaster Hudson and the K-Line semi-scale Hudson, both rated for 31" curves and above.
Summary - for 42" curves, you have a lot of options in NYC and PRR in semi-scale with other wheel configurations, but not as many if you're wedded to the 2-8-4 Berkshire.
raising4daughters posted:With O42 curves, I'd urge you to consider a semi-scale (sometimes called O27 or O Gauge) steam engine rather than a full 1:48 scale (O scale). Semi-scale engines are generally smaller than scale the 2-8-4, 4-8-2, and 4-6-4 wheel configurations you're mentioning.
Lionel offered Junior Berkshires that handle O27 curves in both the NYC and PRR, but neither are prototypical since neither railroad actually owned Berks. For semi-scalers, that's often not a consideration. Be careful, though, with these as they're pretty small and might be outsized by your rolling stock.
I'm actually looking to sell my PRR Junior Berk. If it's a fit, let me know and I'll make you a deal you can't refuse.
MTH did make a semi-scale Berk for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie line, part of the NYC, and its tender says NYC. These are really hard to find on the used market.
Staying with the NYC and PRR roads, you could look at a Lionel Lionchief Plus 2-8-2 in either PRR or NYC. Newer technology with bluetooth.
If you want to jump over to MTH, your options open up in the semi-scale Rail King line in PRR. You could go with a semi-scale 2-8-2 or a 4-8-2 and still handle 42" curves. I'm pining for a Rail King 4-8-2.
Both manufacturers as well as old K-Line offer gobs of semi-scale NYC 4-6-4 engines (Hudsons). Could be the most common semi-scale engine on the market. For my money, the best looking semi-scale Hudsons are the Lionel LionMaster Hudson and the K-Line semi-scale Hudson, both rated for 31" curves and above.
Summary - for 42" curves, you have a lot of options in NYC and PRR in semi-scale with other wheel configurations, but not as many if you're wedded to the 2-8-4 Berkshire.
Scott,
I already have a couple of nice semi-scale steamers but they look pretty anemic in front of larger rolling stock. Would you send me a link, pic and features of your Berk?
So you want a scale New York Central steam locomotive that will run on 042 curves? Most any scale New York Central Hudson made by MTH or Lionel that does not have a PT tender is rated for 042 curves. Here are 3 MTH Premier New York Central Hudsons rated for 042:
https://mthtrains.com/20-3582-1
https://mthtrains.com/20-3522-1
https://mthtrains.com/20-3648-1
@Ponz if you don't have room for anything larger than O42 curves, I would stick with semi-scale locos AND rolling stock. AND buildings!
Whether a particular loco makes it around O42 is academic. When you run scale-sized gondolas, flat cars, passenger cars, etc., on O42 there is going to be tons of overhang and underhang. Trains will appear shorter because the cars are taller and you're not able to run as many of them. Put a 30" long loco on the front, and you really don't have much of a train.
I bought nothing but scale stuff for 10 years. They're nice but I've come to grips with the fact that I don't have the room for it. Because of space limitations, I'm pretty convinced that my own layout will be O42 or O36. Semi scale cars and locos. Maybe Plasticville buildings too. It's not a bad thing.
All model railroading takes imagination. If in YOUR world the Pennsy had a Berkshire, then do it! It's about having fun!
Ted S posted:@Ponz if you don't have room for anything larger than O42 curves, I would stick with semi-scale locos AND rolling stock. AND buildings!
Whether a particular loco makes it around O42 is academic. When you run scale-sized gondolas, flat cars, passenger cars, etc., on O42 there is going to be tons of overhang and underhang. Trains will appear shorter because the cars are taller and you're not able to run as many of them. Put a 30" long loco on the front, and you really don't have much of a train.
I bought nothing but scale stuff for 10 years. They're nice but I've come to grips with the fact that I don't have the room for it. Because of space limitations, I'm pretty convinced that my own layout will be O42 or O36. Semi scale cars and locos. Maybe Plasticville buildings too. It's not a bad thing.
All model railroading takes imagination. If in YOUR world the Pennsy had a Berkshire, then do it! It's about having fun!
Ted
Here's a video of my layout. The O42 curves (my best guess) around the perimeter track They might be a bit wider, and very tight curves on the inside layout which is a reverse Y.
As you can see, I'm pulling 14 Pecos River cars on my outer loop with a semi-scale LionChief Plus Hudson and a PS1 PRR on the reverse Y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjPwSBNNjKU
Here's a video of a PS3 GG1 pulling "near scale" passenger cars on that inside reverse Y:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...PGNWTfoEs&t=221s
Here's a video of my Scale Williams pulling my Heavyweight Pullmans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-eZW-t3MqI&t=24s
Nice videos. Agree you need a scale engine in front of those freight cars (or new freight cars behind that semi-scale Hudson). I think Lou offered some good suggestions.
Have the green P&LE Berk... it’s a real head tuner. Didn’t even offer that to you, since you said you didn’t want to spend $500
The issue is your price... the $300 you’re looking to spend is really gonna put you right into railking territory
It's possible to find scale engines for $300: Williams Hudsons come to mind. You probably won't find Legacy engines for that money, however. It's a matter of selecting from the menu of choices. Which is more important: scale size or control system?
palallin posted:It's possible to find scale engines for $300: Williams Hudsons come to mind. You probably won't find Legacy engines for that money, however. It's a matter of selecting from the menu of choices. Which is more important: scale size or control system?
Scale size!
Ponz
The RailKing PRR S2 came to mind immediately, and would suit your purposes well without looking too out of place on O42. Until sized up beside a scale version, the RK is deceivingly large, and way larger than a PW turbine. Tack anything on back..it'll haul it! I have a PS1 version that has remained un-upgraded because it exhibits excellent refinement in a semi command, conventional engine.
Bruce
BTW, how's the RK GG1 working out? I constantly return mine to the layout for exercise, and it never disappoints.
brwebster posted:The RailKing PRR S2 came to mind immediately, and would suit your purposes well without looking too out of place on O42. Until sized up beside a scale version, the RK is deceivingly large, and way larger than a PW turbine. Tack anything on back..it'll haul it! I have a PS1 version that has remained un-upgraded because it exhibits excellent refinement in a semi command, conventional engine.
Bruce
Thanks - I am watching a couple of those now. They're not very intricate but the size is right.
Ponz
brwebster posted:The RailKing PRR S2 came to mind immediately, and would suit your purposes well without looking too out of place on O42. Until sized up beside a scale version, the RK is deceivingly large, and way larger than a PW turbine. Tack anything on back..it'll haul it! I have a PS1 version that has remained un-upgraded because it exhibits excellent refinement in a semi command, conventional engine.
Bruce
BTW, how's the RK GG1 working out? I constantly return mine to the layout for exercise, and it never disappoints.
Great! Thanks!
PRRronbh posted:
The very last Berk's AlCO made.
Ron
Very Nice! What curve can she handle? Where can I find one?
Ponz
Ponz posted:PRRronbh posted:
The very last Berk's AlCO made.
Ron
Very Nice! What curve can she handle? Where can I find one?
Ponz
Ponz, sorry thought it was O42. But looked it up, MTH says Min O54.
Ron
I'm sure the modern Berkshires, including the scale ones made by the various manufacturers, are marvelous engines.
So is the classic Postwar Lionel Berkshire #736. Below are photos of it and a video showing it in action smoothly pulling a long freight train:
Arnold
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Images (3)
Videos (1)
Ponz,
First, your layout looks great. Lots of action and well sceniked. Well done!
FWIW, I also think the MTH RK PRR S2 would be a good fit for your railroad. Size is right, can handle your curves, while not overwhelming your other semi-scale steamers. Another option is the MTH RK PRR M1a. That model is quit a bit bigger than your RK K4s, but will also handle your curves no problem and would look right at home pulling either passenger or freight.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
How about the Lionel Lionmaster PRR T1 Duplex? The TMCC version recently went for $360 on eBay, looked very nice. At over 26" long, it will have a presence on an O42 layout. They're rated for O31 curves and will work well on your layout.
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Scott R posted:Ponz,
First, your layout looks great. Lots of action and well sceniked. Well done!
FWIW, I also think the MTH RK PRR S2 would be a good fit for your railroad. Size is right, can handle your curves, while not overwhelming your other semi-scale steamers. Another option is the MTH RK PRR M1a. That model is quit a bit bigger than your RK K4s, but will also handle your curves no problem and would look right at home pulling either passenger or freight.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thanks Scott - I put a fair amount of time into building up my small 8x8.5 (not so cheap) basement layout the best I could. If I had more room, to begin with, this would all be a moot issue.
Ponz
gunrunnerjohn posted:How about the Lionel Lionmaster PRR T1 Duplex? The TMCC version recently went for $360 on eBay, looked very nice. At over 26" long, it will have a presence on an O42 layout. They're rated for O31 curves and will work well on your layout.
I'll look into one John. My outer loop might be a smidge over or under O42
gunrunnerjohn posted:How about the Lionel Lionmaster PRR T1 Duplex? The TMCC version recently went for $360 on eBay, looked very nice. At over 26" long, it will have a presence on an O42 layout. They're rated for O31 curves and will work well on your layout.
I'd love to find another one at that price!
I can't locate the curve specs for this one on an auction site. Also, anything older than PS2 frightens me
MTH 4912 NEW YORK CENTRAL 4-6-2 DieCast Pacific Steam Loco Tender PROTO SMOKE
The MTH model number or at least the auction # would be useful here. 
Ponz posted:I can't locate the curve specs for this one on an auction site. Also, anything older than PS2 frightens me
MTH 4912 NEW YORK CENTRAL 4-6-2 DieCast Pacific Steam Loco Tender PROTO SMOKE
As John stated need the MTH item number. Also there are two different PS2's, a 5v and a 3v version.
Ron
