Union Pacific passenger cars.

the mth cars are good runners. they stay on the track and are not bothered by switch machines sticking up slightly. the detail is very nice also. if you are going to run them stick with the mth. if for display ggd is the way.

I plan on running and displaying. Which is why I'd love a set of GGD, but there isn't any to be had.

Do you guys think I would benefit by buying the Lionel cars over MTH?

I have plenty of MTH passenger cars, they're fine for what they are. However, they are generic and not scale or road specific in detail. I would love to see Scott produce an accurate run of UP cars, but I'm not confidant we'll ever see that day. If your looking for scale, best bet would be to either find K-Line cars or order Lionel's upcoming offering. Good luck...

Mr. Brandon,  I am a fan of prototypical scale length cars and the pics of the current lionel  21" got me to pop for the 2 car add on pack.  A coach and flag baggage car for 214. No brainer.  I build most of what I want and I will most whole heartedly say that anytime you can get a dome with interior and lights for less than 300. a car buy it.,,, It costs more in time and parts to build one for yourself.

Mr. Cole,

May I ask what UP passenger equipment you desire to model?

1) Original UP passenger trains from the mid 1940s through the mid 1950s, which would/could have been powered by steam?

or,

2) The excursion era powered by UP 8444/844 or Challenger 3985? 

Should you desire the "original era", then I would wait for Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot to develop the appearance of PROPERLY riveted car construction for prototypical UP SCALE passenger equipment.

One thing I forgot to add, the MTH model of the UP 844 is truly accurate for the "modern excursion era" (note the twin dynamos on the Fireman's side forward of the cab), while the Lionel Legacy version (previously issued) is an EXCELLENT representation of the 844 when used in regular service after she was up-graded to the Worthington Type S Feedwater System in about 1952/1953.

Hot Water posted:

Mr. Cole,

May I ask what UP passenger equipment you desire to model?

1) Original UP passenger trains from the mid 1940s through the mid 1950s, which would/could have been powered by steam?

or,

2) The excursion era powered by UP 8444/844 or Challenger 3985?

Should you desire the "original era", then I would wait for Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot to develop the appearance of PROPERLY riveted car construction for prototypical UP SCALE passenger equipment.

I would much rather model original UP passenger equipment. I am kind of collecting passenger trains of the late 40's and 50's powered by steam.

Having said that I have a feeling I will be disappointed with the MTH cars being short compared to my GGD Powhatan Arrow cars for comparison. Which is why I was considering the Lionel cars until GGD makes a set.

I probably haven't helped you much HotWater.

Thanks  

Brandon Cole posted:

Hot Water posted:

Mr. Cole,

May I ask what UP passenger equipment you desire to model?

1) Original UP passenger trains from the mid 1940s through the mid 1950s, which would/could have been powered by steam?

or,

2) The excursion era powered by UP 8444/844 or Challenger 3985?

Should you desire the "original era", then I would wait for Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot to develop the appearance of PROPERLY riveted car construction for prototypical UP SCALE passenger equipment.

I would much rather model original UP passenger equipment. I am kind of collecting passenger trains of the late 40's and 50's powered by steam.

Having said that I have a feeling I will be disappointed with the MTH cars being short compared to my GGD Powhatan Arrow cars for comparison. Which is why I was considering the Lionel cars until GGD makes a set.

I probably haven't helped you much HotWater.

Thanks  

 

Don't worry about me, as I believe YOU are the one that needs to decide which direction you desire to model. In my case, I model the late 1940s through the mid 1950s, so both the Lionel and Sunset/3rd Rail models of the UP FEF-3 series locomotives fit my modeling era perfectly (I have one each). I am very seriously considering another Lionel Legacy model of the UP FEF-3, if they actually do produce the #838 with her original Sellers Exhaust Steam Injector feedwater system (that is the big sewer pipe that is on the Fireman's side under the walkway).

If you do end up buying a MTH set, see if you can find the 2011 UP Dealer Appreciation Set. The DAP set had better detailed cars with a glossy finish. I've purchased standard MTH UP premier cars since and they just don't look as good.

That's not a bad idea Matt. 

My other question does anybody have GGD streamlined heavyweights? I thought this would be a good option knowing how good GGD is? Also UP had over 100 of these modernized cars. 

Brandon Cole posted:

That's not a bad idea Matt. 

My other question does anybody have GGD streamlined heavyweights?

What is a "streamlined heavyweight"?  I always thought "streamlined" passenger cars were "lightweight". I have the GGD Southern Pacific Daylight set, which includes the three section articulated diner, plus articulated chair cars (totals 11 or 12 cars). They are extruded aluminum. 

I thought this would be a good option knowing how good GGD is?

I have a 12 car heavyweight CB&Q passenger train, all are ABS (plastic) by GGD, and they run fine too (up-graded to body mounted Kadee couplers).

Also UP had over 100 of these modernized cars. 

Brandon Cole posted:

That's not a bad idea Matt. 

My other question does anybody have GGD streamlined heavyweights? I thought this would be a good option knowing how good GGD is? Also UP had over 100 of these modernized cars. 

Brandon,

The only "streamlined" heavyweights GGD has done are the B&O Cincinnatian cars. They were originally standard heavyweights that were upgraded to have a streamlined appearance while still truly remaining heavyweights. The most recent heavyweight coach release aka the modernized heavyweight PRR P70 cars retained their original riveted sides and contoured roof ends so I wouldn't consider them streamlined heavyweights.

rheil posted:

Brandon Cole posted:

That's not a bad idea Matt. 

My other question does anybody have GGD streamlined heavyweights? I thought this would be a good option knowing how good GGD is? Also UP had over 100 of these modernized cars. 

Brandon,

The only "streamlined" heavyweights GGD has done are the B&O Cincinnatian cars. They were originally standard heavyweights that were upgraded to have a streamlined appearance while still truly remaining heavyweights. The most recent heavyweight coach release aka the modernized heavyweight PRR P70 cars retained their original riveted sides and contoured roof ends so I wouldn't consider them streamlined heavyweights.

You are completely correct. Want is everyone's opinion on the modernized heavyweights?

Hot Water posted:

Brandon Cole posted:

That's not a bad idea Matt. 

My other question does anybody have GGD streamlined heavyweights?

What is a "streamlined heavyweight"?  I always thought "streamlined" passenger cars were "lightweight". I have the GGD Southern Pacific Daylight set, which includes the three section articulated diner, plus articulated chair cars (totals 11 or 12 cars). They are extruded aluminum. 

I thought this would be a good option knowing how good GGD is?

I have a 12 car heavyweight CB&Q passenger train, all are ABS (plastic) by GGD, and they run fine too (up-graded to body mounted Kadee couplers).

Also UP had over 100 of these modernized cars. 

 

I mistakenly put streamlined instead of modernized. Sorry for the confusion.