Thoughts on Imperial Locos?

I have the Imperial Big Boy and am very happy with it.  It is very good looking overall, runs well and has a reasonable level of detail (29" overall) and PS-3.  It dos not have detail like the new Vision Line, but it looks still very impressive.  Also, look at the Lionmaster line, similar concept and level of detail as the Imperial.  Though no longer made, there are still some around new.  I have a Lionmaster Challenger (Legacy) and it looks very good next to the Imperial Big Boy with similar level of detail.

I've been running the Big Boy on O42 curves on the carpet central and it runs well though there is overhang on the curves.  It comes with two drawbars, one for O31 (longer) and one for O42 and up.

Bill

I have three Imperial N&W locomotives (and just purchased another for Christmas) and am very pleased with them. I have the 2000 version Y6B, 2006 (I think) #608 J Class, and the 2013 release of the RS3 diesel. My newest is the 2010 Y6B with Protosounds (and that great hooter whistle!) which will debut Christmas morning. Since I use Super O track on my layout I need engines that can handle 36" curves in some areas and these fit the bill nicely, plus they look good with my mostly non-scale rolling stock. I'd recommend them and I'm predominately a Lionel guy.

Lancer,

I have many MTH Railking Imperial PS2 and PS3 steam locomotives, including the UP Bigboy, as well as 2 RK Imperial diesel SD-70ACes. I am a big fan of the Railking Imperial line, as they contstitute the majority of my command control locomotvies. I have stated for many years on this forum that they are the best bargain in the hobby. Simply stated, Railking Imperial locomotives have a Premier level of detail at a Railking price. The fact that Railking locos have the same electronics in them as their Premiere counterparts and use the same DCS system, makes it a no brainer to go with RK  Imperial steam locos.

My layout consists of 036 and 042 curves and my Imperial locos run great on them.

Regarding the RK Imperial Bigboy, when it last came out in 2012 (this is the one I have),  it listed for $700 (or $800 with a set of 4 passenger cars, an even better bargain). That is 1/3 the price of the $2,000 price many on this forum recently paid for the Lionel Vision Line Bigboy. While you can not compare the two as an apples to apples comparison (since the Lionel VL BB has more features and is scale loco with more detail), I think the Railking Imperial BB is a better value at 1/3 the price. Sure the recent videos posted of the VL line BB show the loco has great sound and a high level of detail, but the RK Imperial  BB has a good level of detail, good sound, runs great and has TWO can motors. I do not know if the Lionel VL BB has two can motors, but MTH's Premier line BB which is scheduled to ship next year, only has one can motor and and has a list price $1,500. That is twice the price of the Railking Imperial Bigboy.    

Different people willl give you varying opinions regarding their experiences, and their opinions are not necessarily wrong. In my opinion, when I can buy a Railking Imperial Steam engine for about 1/3 the price compared to buying the same engine in MTH's Premier line, I will always buy the Railking Imperial Engine. With regard to the diesels like the SD-70ACes, the difference in price between the Premier and RK Imperial is usually only about $100-150, so sometimes I buy the Premier version and sometimes the Imperial version.

Lastly, I can afford to buy the Premier steam locos (if they will run on 042 curves and many will), but do not, as I consider it to be the point of diminshing returns. I say to myself, am I really getting that much more by paying 3 times the price compared to the RK Imperial version, and thd answer is always no. Its a value issue.   

Hope this helps.

Erol Gurcan   

I have the Imperial USRA 0-6-0 (non operating due to board failure), Y6B N&W 2-8-8-2 and B6 0-6-0. 

I have had the Imperial SD70ACE and K4 but sold them. 

All are top notch pieces. Beware that recent Imperial engines are NOT coming with some detail pieces "standard" on earlier Imperials. Tender truck chains, builders plates, and more are being left off some new Imperial engines while their earlier Imperial cousins had them. 

Rickoshay - I've got the 2010 version of the N&W Y6b - you will NOT be disappointed. 

I Love MTH Imperials!

I have the USRA 0-6-0 for many years now and it runs perfect!

Lancer,

   If I were you I would stick to scale engines and equipment. The imperial Railking engines and Lionmaster line are nice but sooner or latter you are going to put your challenger next to a scale one and say to yourself "looks like it's to small". 

    If your curves are too tight stick with smaller equipment, a scale mikado look great even next to a scale big boy.  If money is tight try the after market such as the Buy Sell forum. In the long run you will save money.

JohnB

Imperial (Shawmut Line) 0-6-0 and Railking (Pennsy) 0-6-0  Noted differences. Engineer, Firemen and coal in the tender.

If the Imperial locomotive solve your problem with your curves, go for it. My last 3-rail layout was saddled with a couple tight curves to fit the available space.

So I went heavily with the Railking stuff.

I do have about a half dozen things that need 072, and maybe the future will allow that.

But there is nothing wrong with Railking as far as operating and appearance.

The Imperial series is just icing on the cake.

I got spoiled with my Imperial RK Big Boy. It was my first New Engine ordered from a catalog.

Now I have the new Rio Grande Challenger and I love it too.

They are far superior to standard RK versions.

We won't compare starter engines, because you just can't, it's unfair.

I also love the Superior Mass of the Scale Big Boy I got second hand.

Since it's an older one, it does not have much detail over the Imperial one but it is definitely bigger.

So Sure, the Scale Engines are bigger and a bit more detailed but if you can't run them, what use are they?

And Yes, You can get roughly 2 for one in Imperial VS Scale price wise (at least in Steamers)

So while I would love to run all Scale, it is not going to happen.

I'll be buying Imperial Railking.

I have 0-54" max also, The RK Imperial are a perfect solution although I run (slowly) a Premier Allegheny. I find with 6 close driving wheels I'm OK, but 8 wheels and centipede tenders, nope! I also use 18" passenger cars, but  also have 15", which look much, much better on my layout. It would be great if I had more room and maybe in my next reincarnation, I'll have more room.

Dave G.

I was having fun detailing RailKing locomotives before MTH started offering the Imperial RK. I sold off my non-scale RailKing locomotives in favor of the Premier product line. IMHO, MTH does a great job with the Imperial line. For smaller layouts that don't run scale, they offer exceptional details.

Gilly 

The RailKing Imperial line is a great value. Lots of detail for a lot less money, especially the steamers. All or most of the same features as the Premier line. Great for smaller curves on a smaller layout as well. If you want steam on a small layout this is probably as good as it gets.  

I like the Imperial line a lot.  In general, I  prefer scale locomotives and try to get only those.  But more than scale size I  want good detail and good sound, so the Imperial line is very appealing because sometimes a compressed loco fits on my layout better.  In particularly I am waiting for the Imperial Triplex, which I expect to be spectacular, with 24 drives in a loco-tender on 25 inches long!

I think they are fairly good value for the money, considered the detail, sound, and features you get.  

I agree the MTH Imperial line is a great value.

I am currently waiting on the Pennsy L1 Mikado which I was told I would have by Christmas.

I don't see that happening at least not for this Christmas.

I only own one MTH Premier Steamer and it is a Pennsy L1 Mikado and it has given me more trouble than all my other Railking Engines combined.

Although all the extra pipes and valves and other items look great on the boiler and cab most people that visit my layout never notice that my Railking M1A, I1A and K4s don't have these items like the Premier L1 Mikado.

I thank MTH for bringing the Imperial line to the O Gauge lineup.

I wish they would offer a front coupler and a quallable whistle like the Premier Line steam engines.

Merry Christmas 

You might find you actually prefer the Imperial line? Your budget sure will!