Traditional-Sized ("Semi-Scale") Must-Have Motive Power

I have the K Line semi-scale ESE Hudson, and some of the 15" Aluminum ESE passenger cars, I like that set real well, but the cars while shorter than scale are closer to scale in cross section, a little noticeable but not to bad. If you like the Semi-scale ESE Hudson, you would probably also like the Lionmaster Hudson, Great Looking, Running and Sounding locomotive.

 I know you don't want another command system, but if you are running conventionally as well, the MTH Railking Imperial Northern in Santa Fe, is another great looking semi-scale locomotive, and I usually only collect UP, SP and Weyerhaeuser, but I got two of my Nephews collecting O Gauge in NYC and Santa Fe, so I thought that I would have something in "Their Railroads" in case they visit. My other Nephew and Great Nephew I have collecting UP.

I don't have too much Traditional size left on my "Must Have" list, but still have quite a bit of Scale size equipment on that list, but I have more than "Enough"(In my WIFE'S OPINION, anyway), I do admit that I am not lacking in variety to run in my chosen roads.

Doug

K-Line Semi Scale New York Central Hudson:

MTH Rail King Erie Triplex

MTH Rail King Allegheny:

MTH Rail King Santa Fe Northern:

MTH Rail King Santa Fe Northern:

And, best of all, the Lionel Lionmaster Challenger:

As far as traditional size engines the only ones not on your list that come to mind are a 44 ton switcher, which I understand Williams makes a fantastic one, and a 6-8-6 turbine like the 2020.  In the larger engines I love my K-Line allegheny.  I have the Rail king version as well, but while only 1:53 scale the k line engine IS scale.  It also just runs better.  

When it comes to command systems, don't let them scare you away from an engine you really like that isn't offered in a conventional version.  DCS, TMCC, Legacy, and LionChief Plus engines can all be run conventional.  If you see something you like for one of these systems and the price makes sense to you, don't let the fact that it can also be controlled in another way scare you off.  

My best runner is a post war 2055.  My second best is a command ready 2000's era baby Hudson.  Both have put a lot of miles on the carpet central.  The K-Line Allegheny is right up there somewhere.  

JGL

I have most of my must haves. I am only missing a prewar electric, a Marx 333, and a 726, the 1946 she'll version.

The MTH Rail King Allegheny could use a slightly longer tender.  The Lionmaster Challenger looks great though the current version's smoke lifters look too curved along the top edge.  The Rail King Santa Fe Northern is much smaller than the Lionmaster Challenger when placed side by side though in reality they were nearly the same length - though the Rail King Allegheny is nearly as long as the Lionmaster Challenger so MTH must have applied some different reduction factor to the Northern.

Interesting TX CHIEF.  But I do not think the 2900's came as far south as Galveston.  But  I think Temple, TX did have a roundhouse which could handle 2900's.  In reality, other than the Southern Transcon route, did the 2900's come into the Lone Star State?

All of the old Lionmaster stuff is great, the hudson is especially hard to find. The class A is scarce too, of course Lionel is finally releasing it. The challengers and bigboys have been made multiple times, so I'll focus on the J3a hudson, the TMCC  N&W class A and the SP AC-12 Cab forward.

After switching to "scale" locomotives, I miss the A the most.

One of these would round out the collection.

My K-Line Big Boy was a must have.  But really, there aren't really any must haves that everyone must get.  There are must haves per person.  I say get whatever you want, and enjoy it.  That's why I get Rail King PS-1 locomotives.  They look good, run great, and work on O36 curves.

What's wrong with a FM "trainmonster"?

"All of the old Lionmaster stuff is great, the hudson is especially hard to find. The class A is scarce too, of course Lionel is finally releasing it. The challengers and bigboys have been made multiple times, so I'll focus on the J3a hudson, the TMCC N&W class A and the SP AC-12 Cab forward.

After switching to "scale" locomotives, I miss the A the most."

Just got an email from USPS that one of the above mentioned Class A is sitting on my porch.  Something to look forward to after work. 

RickO posted:

All of the old Lionmaster stuff is great, the hudson is especially hard to find. The class A is scarce too, of course Lionel is finally releasing it. The challengers and bigboys have been made multiple times, so I'll focus on the J3a hudson, the TMCC  N&W class A and the SP AC-12 Cab forward.

After switching to "scale" locomotives, I miss the A the most.

I should've mentioned one of my modern Hudsons is a Lionmaster.  Of course, it's my favorite.

That Class A is BEAUTIFUL.  I should probably add an articulated to my top 3 wish list.  I was thinking of a 2-6-6-6 Allegheny since I already run some C&O and Chessie, but it's not nearly as majestic as the Class A.  Great photos.

The Portland Rose posted:

K-Line Semi Scale New York Central Hudson:

MTH Rail King Erie Triplex

 

MTH Rail King Allegheny:

 

 

MTH Rail King Santa Fe Northern:

 

I bought a K-line semi-scale Hudson from a forum member even thought I have the very similar LionMaster.  As much great (deserve) press as the K-line scale Hudson gets, the semi-scale version is terrific too.

One that I like is the MTH RailKing Cab Forward.  I have a PS/1 model that I upgraded to PS/2 and added full lighting and a complete cab interior.  It runs on O31 but is a pretty imposing locomotive and is at home even on larger layouts.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

One that I like is the MTH RailKing Cab Forward.  I have a PS/1 model that I upgraded to PS/2 and added full lighting and a complete cab interior.  It runs on O31 but is a pretty imposing locomotive and is at home even on larger layouts.

Thanks Gunrunner.  If I go any bigger than my 726 WBB remake, I think it'd be that Class A. 

BTW - I wanted to personally thank you for all your educational posts on this forum.  I read a lot more than I comment, and I learn a lot from posters like you.  Thanks for your contributions !

I'd say you're missing an EP5, it's a favorite of mine

raising4daughters posted:

BTW - I wanted to personally thank you for all your educational posts on this forum.  I read a lot more than I comment, and I learn a lot from posters like you.  Thanks for your contributions !

Thanks for the kind words.

You listed a postwar 2-6-2 on your list of power. If you don't have one already, I really like my 675 (2025) K4 "Pacific".

As for newer stuff, I like the MPC era (and probably later too) SD-18 and SD-28s. The SD40s seem too big pulling 6464 sized boxcars, but those earlier units on the GP frame look just right. I especially like the Santa Fe SD-18s.

What about a trolley? I like the ones Bowser used to make and added an e-unit to one and used it with a station stop circuit board to make it change directions at each station. A postwar 60 would do the same thing but a bit more violently.

J White

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

What's wrong with a FM "trainmonster"?

Yeah!  Toss all that single motored pot metal in the trash.   Get a stump puller FM.

Bruce

In no particular order..

K Line semi-Scale Hudson. Nice profile, good detailing, nice tender and for my money, the most effective treatment of the firebox skirt and trailing truck in that class of loco. Good express passenger loco for small layouts. 

Lionel #2025 2-6-2, the epitome of PW traditional size locos

Lionel #1225 Pere Marquette 2-8-4, a nice rendition of the type and a good heavy goods loco for small layouts.

 One I’d like to add to my collection, the K Line Allegheny. Big steam in a small space..

The "traditionally-sized" steam locos made today -- RailKing with PS2 or PS3, and Lionel's LionChief Plus -- have much, much better operating characteristics than postwar; I think that's the way to go.  Just understand that you're buying a "disposable" product laden with electronics, rubber tires, no guarantee of future parts availability, etc.  Heck, it might not work the first time you take it out of the box!  But... once you get the bugs worked out, it should give you at least a few years of fun until the next best thing comes along.  My $.02.

@Rockershovel posted:

 One I’d like to add to my collection, the K Line Allegheny. Big steam in a small space..

Such a deal I have for you...   I happen to have one too many Allegheny locomotives.  This is the K-Line upgraded with fan driven smoke, Super-Chuffer, ERR Cruise, Rule-17 LED headlight, automatic cab light control, and really neat flickering firebox upgrade.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Such a deal I have for you...   I happen to have one too many Allegheny locomotives.  This is the K-Line upgraded with fan driven smoke, Super-Chuffer, ERR Cruise, Rule-17 LED headlight, automatic cab light control, and really neat flickering firebox upgrade.

Email sent

I mixed in first-generation scale four-axle diesels - F3s, F7s, GP7s and GP9s  and like PW steamers like the 2055.  I added in a set of 16" aluminum passenger cars, pulled by a Legacy K4  #1361.

Plus, if you are running the layout using TMCC or Legacy, then all can be run using the remotes.  I do have several Lion Chief Plus steamers and 4-axle diesel locos that are especially good when kids are running the trains, because they have cruise control and their remotes are simple enough that a small child can run them.  

I stay with 50' scale freight cars and in trains where the scale cars are separated by flatcars from the PW traditional freight cars.  From a size standpoint it all seems to look right.  

My favorite locos: two Legacy GP7s (2008), a 2055 (1952), a Legacy PRR F7 (really F3) set with a SuperBass B unit (2018 -19).   Runner-ups:  an 1980 6-8970 2-motored F3 PRR A/A set,  and two 1950s diesel switchers- repainted and re-lettered  624 and 625 44 ton from the 1950's.

Semi-scale must have motive power for me includes:

• A PRR T-1.  Hoping that Lionel re-releases the LM version in the near future.
• A MTH RK PRR I-1.  Was hoping to get a PS 3.0 version on the next MTH release - oh well.  Eventually one will become available on the used market
• It surprises me that neither MTH nor Lionel did a semi-scale NYC Niagara. With MTH gone, the only hope is for a LM version, but that would require all new tooling.  I can always dream.

I agree with Scott, a semi- scale Niagara would be a must have.  Also, how about a SEMI SCALE 2-8-0 with a USRA style, non-Belpaire firebox/ outline? JohnA 

Lionel Lionchief Plus Camelback (or earlier version). Fits in fine with both traditional and scale pieces.