THE BLUE COMET

There were variations in prewar production runs, but basically:

-Prewar Standard gauge (I think there are at least 3 variations)

-Prewar O gauge

-MPC version

-O gauge tinplate remake

-2003? TMCC Scale version (the one I always drooled over)

-American Flyer S gauge version (made in the modern era by Lionel)

-Legacy Version

-Lionchief version

I'm sure I'm missing something, but this should get you started. 

THANK YOU FOR THE RESPONSE...  

When you say 2003 TMCC Scale version what is the difference when you refer to Scale???

I have a massive collection of LIONEL Tinplate - O Guage - Prewar - Post war .. Some Standard Gauge - G Scale ... with all this I never acquired a Blue Comet Set... I am looking for one now lol trying to figure out what is out there and would be a nice addition to the collection.

We all know that even in The Soprano's Bobby -- played by Steve Schirippa got whacked while drooling over his big purchase... Would like to know which one he was purchasing... 

So the TMCC and the Legacy versions are modern versions that look exactly (or close to) the prototype. 

I never got into that show (I was too young for it when it started), but looking at the clip they are discussing the prewar O gauge blue comet, which was the 263e and 613-614-615 cars (or later variations of the cars) all in blue. This set was reproduced by lionel in the 90's and more recently by MTH. 

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION...   MUCH APPRECIATED..  I got into the show around the 2 season I was in my mid 20's at the time ... Very funny how it happened with Steve and the Blue Comet ,, it was one of the producers that was into trains and incorporated it in with his part... Steve does not know a thing about trains.. lol

The MTH Premier versions are probably the most accurate models of the real thing for 3-rail O gauge.  The RailKing versions (like 30-1172, etc.) aren't scale size, but they have more accurate placement of details like air pumps, domes, etc., than the Lionel model.

Don't get me wrong- the Legacy Blue Comet 6-11335 is a beautiful, smooth-running loco with great features.  It's a better choice than the 2003 version.  But they're both more of a generic Pacific painted blue than an accurate model of a Central New Jersey passenger engine.  So it depends on what you're looking for.

THANK YOU 

I did not see the 2003 LIONEL version I see a 2001 LIONEL version TMCC LIONEL 6-21787

Well I was going off of CarGuy's post.  Either way, that one has been eclipsed by the newer Legacy versions (sku 11335 and 11423)  The Legacy versions are an identical reissue of the 2001 version with improved sound and operation, and possibly additional features.  If you want the best Lionel O gauge Blue Comet to date, that's where it's at. 

THANK YOU MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

@Ted S posted:

The MTH Premier versions are probably the most accurate models of the real thing for 3-rail O gauge.  The RailKing versions (like 30-1172, etc.) aren't scale size, but they have more accurate placement of details like air pumps, domes, etc., than the Lionel model.

Don't get me wrong- the Legacy Blue Comet 6-11335 is a beautiful, smooth-running loco with great features.  It's a better choice than the 2003 version.  But they're both more of a generic Pacific painted blue than an accurate model of a Central New Jersey passenger engine.  So it depends on what you're looking for.

IIRC wasn't there an issue with the whistle sound or something with one of the Legacy re-issues? And sound chips were replaced? 

Agree the MTH Blue Comet set is a very nice piece.

Going to have to do a little  research and see if there is anything out there about the sound chips being replaced.

Also seeing which one would run best on my layout for now.. I am operating a LIONEL D-264 - Dealer Display Layout Super O ... So newer trains sometimes have an issue ... but present LIONEL productions with the remote or Bluetooth run fine due to the fact that I am using the remote to operate 

JAS - Further to the comments made by TedS above, item 6-11335 (engine #832) was released by Lionel in 2012 and 6-11423 (engine #833) was released in 2012-13.  Consequently if you're interested in knowing more about the features of either of those engines all you'd have to do is call up Lionel's website and punch in the engine numbers.

Good Luck!

THANK YOU MUCH APPRECIATED

Also going to probably take a ride out to Trainland when they are in the clear to return to normal business operations. The Bianco's  will be able to give me the specifics and let me know what set they used on that episode of The Soprano's...

JAS - I inadvertently said "call up L's website and punch in the engine numbers" when I meant to say the item number.  Oh well...

Got you no worries .. Information much appreciated 

@JSCARPO posted:

 

Also seeing which one would run best on my layout for now.. I am operating a LIONEL D-264 - Dealer Display Layout Super O ... So newer trains sometimes have an issue ... 

Super O is 36" diameter, right?  The Legacy Blue Comets will be huge compared to your other rolling stock.  IMO they'll look out of place on those curves. 

 I recommend the RailKing 30-1172 (or the newer PS3 version, I forget the number.)  If you want to stick with Lionel, here's another option... a couple of years ago Lionel made its excellent LionChief Plus Pacific in a blue New Jersey Central livery.  These are great runners with speed control, sound, etc.  I think one of these would look great pulling the 1978 Blue Comet cars.  My $.02.

JOE - Just a clarification, I believe the 'another Lionel option' to which Ted S was referring is the New Jersey Central LionChief Plus Pacific type (4-6-2) engine that appeared in Lionel's 2018 Vol. 1 catalog as Item # 6-84680.

Any Blue Comet Looks great to me. I have the MPC version and I mixed MTH/Railking 14" Blue Comet Cars with Lionel Blue Comet MPC cars and it looks great, I have 10 cars in all. 

There's a freezer blocking the two cars that are missing. I hope to move soon.

Great Thank You 

The Blue Comet Looks Good It Is A Nice Set

@rtraincollector posted:

Any Blue Comet Looks great to me. I have the MPC version and I mixed MTH/Railking 14" Blue Comet Cars with Lionel Blue Comet MPC cars and it looks great, I have 10 cars in all. 

There's a freezer blocking the two cars that are missing. I hope to move soon.

 

I also have the MPC Blue Comet. The locomotive with the MPC set is a 4-6-4 Hudson type locomotive. The actual Blue Comet's locomotives were 4-6-2 Pacific types. I got a Lionel 2 wheeled trailing truck from a parts dealer and a longer draw. I replaced the 4-wheel trailing truck that was originally on the MPC locomotive and created my Pacific version. Over all, I like the appearance of the MPC set and enjoy running it.

Nice Thank You for the information

Hey Joe, The Blue Comet in the Sopranos scene was intended to be a 283W O Gauge 263e Blue Comet Passenger Set.  Because they were going to drop the engine in the scene everyone opted to drop a Lionel Classics remake which we still have in the store on display and signed.  

@JSCARPO posted:

Also seeing which one would run best on my layout for now.. I am operating a LIONEL D-264 - Dealer Display Layout Super O ... So newer trains sometimes have an issue ... but present LIONEL productions with the remote or Bluetooth run fine due to the fact that I am using the remote to operate 

If you get a chance would love to see some pics of your D-264. I am a big fan of the Lionel Dealer Displays.

Thank You Ken... 

I will get some of my D-264 Layout pictures up for you to see.  I am a big fan of the dealer layouts also.. There was a guy in Texas named Kenny that would reproduce these dealer display layouts.. I do not know what happened to him. I remember the company being something like classic toy trains or toy trains unlimited  ,,, something to that nature. He was going to produce another layout for me it was around 2006 and a few weeks after I gave the deposit I received a phone call from a lady stating she was returning my deposit as Kenny was in a motorcycle accident and recovering and would not be able to produce and layouts for at least 6 months. When I went to check back in with him the email was not valid. 

Ken ,,

Let me know when you guys are operational and open for in store purchases. Steve is out on the west coast these days ... but would like for him to sign the set I pickup .. If he happens to come back to the east coast before I pickup the set I will try to work it out to bring him with me and let him sign it in the store. Another option would be that I pick a set up and hold it til he is back and I let him sign it and I will video him signing it.

@JSCARPO posted:

I will get some of my D-264 Layout pictures up for you to see.  I am a big fan of the dealer layouts also.. There was a guy in Texas named Kenny that would reproduce these dealer display layouts.. I do not know what happened to him. I remember the company being something like classic toy trains or toy trains unlimited  ,,, something to that nature. He was going to produce another layout for me it was around 2006 and a few weeks after I gave the deposit I received a phone call from a lady stating she was returning my deposit as Kenny was in a motorcycle accident and recovering and would not be able to produce and layouts for at least 6 months. When I went to check back in with him the email was not valid. 

Joe, 

Here's my D-105 layout. As you can see this is my own build but it's very faithful to the original 5x9 two level display that Lionel produced.

VERY NICE 

@johnstrains posted:

If you get a chance would love to see some pics of your D-264. I am a big fan of the Lionel Dealer Displays.

Joe - Is that 'Super 0' track I see leading into your two tunnels?

Yes my layout is Super O