Thanks for mentioned these - I'd missed them. Great addition to the LC line. If they do a Chicago Northwestern version, I'll be on board for one. These used to run in an area near where I grew up. That holiday one looks tempting, too.

I don't know how "new" the tooling is, it's the MTH Railking tooling that they bought.   It's cool they added smoke, the RailKing models didn't offer that.

Notice any similarity?

Lionel Doodlebug

MTH Railking Doodlebug

John: Sure looks like the MTH! Did you add passengers and the diaphragm to yours? Maybe they meant new to Lionel. Or is the photo not of your MTH model?

I got excited when I first read about a LionChief version but saw the picture & realized it was the same old tooling--doesn't look at all like the PRR prototype, so I passed. Nevertheless, I'm sure it will have great play value and hopefully will have healthy sales.

The passengers were added by me, the diaphragm was stock.  I also have the unpowered car that has a full interior.

The RK or Lionel models don't have a lot of resemblance to the real thing, that's for sure!

I was going through doodlebug/gas electric books trying to pin down what prototype the MTH version was a model of, and got distracted... anybody have a clue?  Third Rail did the Pennsy one, which was kinda specific, but several of the builders had other similar cars on a number of roads. Hope it isn't a generic fantasy, and has an identifiable prototype. Did find other roads used cars similar to that Walther's very common C&NW kit but haven't gotten around to building it.

Wow, cool video--I've never even heard one in operation before!