What's your favorite engine and why
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Vision Line Challenger.
Close second is the FEF.
Just something about that Challenger.
Close second is the FEF.
Just something about that Challenger.
One of my favorites is the EM1.
Not my favorite, but I like it...
My favorite is All of Them, but, my pick is the VisionLine PA, 0-8-8-0, 8153 Steamer.
The Swinging Bell, Smike and Whistle Effect, and Exhaust Steam....ITS A WOW.
My Vision Line Challenger,UP FEF,SP GS 4 in no particular order.
My GP35 engines. Look great on almost any curve and pull well. They are very pleasing to my eye and easier on my wallet than many of the other offerings.
What he said.
Originally Posted by Mill City:
Well, technically the Vision Challenger is Legacy and its the best loco I have maybe.
But excluding the more-expensive Vision locos, many are very good, but I will single out the NYC Mohawk - it does not get much attention and is often overlooked - I bought mine for only $900. It has great detail, good eye candy with all the equipment and such on it, great sound, is a fantastic runner and good puller, and it is a good size for my layout - big enough to look like a big brawny loco but no so big it looks out of place on 72" curves.
This one, hands down. The features, the looks, and the size give a commanding performance.
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I would have to say my Pennsy Lionmaster T1. It has what most of the bigger engines have (great sounds, whistle smoke) but can still negotiate 031 curves.
Otherwise the CC2s, it's got it all, plus the mostly overlooked sprung drivers.
By far the UP 844 is the best smoker, most reliable (although I never had an unreliable engine), best sounding, all around runner.
While I do enjoy them all very much, the 844 is my go to engine when I just want to pound the rails.
VL UP Challenger
VL NYC Hudson
UP FEF
NPR S3
Legacy BB
The GP9s but in particular, the Southern Pacific GP9. The paint job just gives it that weathered look right out of the box. Runs so smooth too.
ES44AC Diesel Locomotives.
(I don't have a VL Challenger, otherwise I would have went with that 
)
If I had to pick one, it would be my Pere Marquette 1225. Smokes great, sounds awesome, runs like a champ and when I run the Polar Express tender with it, it is a huge hit at our train shows and Christmas displays.
Andy
None. I own NONE!
My conrail gp35.
FEF just an all around great engine. my most impressive smoker. looks fantastic.
close second 267. love that cylinder steam effect. great whistle. magnificent presence.
FEF 844 or 261 its a toss up for me.
Only Legacy engine I have is the Milwaukee S-3. Mine is numbered #265 because I already have a #261 in brass from Weaver. I do like both engines but of course, the Lionel, being newer, has the latest "bells and whistles" including the "Quillable" steam whistle, which also offers an air horn.
The neatest feature that I really appreciate is the automatic drawbar adjustment between the engine and tender. This is one of the more clever devices that Lionel has ever offered because it keeps the distance between the engine and tender, very prototypically close, but when it negotiates one of our tight curves that 3-railers typically have, it opens up the gap to prevent contact or derailments.
At this point I only have the one Legacy locomotive but I plan on getting Lionel's new, scale, USRA Heavy Mikado when they offer it in the Milwaukee Road's livery. Does anyone know if that automatic adjusting drawbar will be offered on these new heavy Mikes? Do their other Legacy steam engines, like the new Big Boy, also have it?
Paul Fischer
Southern Crescent - gorgeous.
Steams make look and sound good but my new favorite is the SD 40, GP35 and GP30 in a triple lashup.
With Legacy they run together smooth as silk with enormous pulling power. Diesel sound from all three powered units rev'ed up together is nothing short of fantastic.
Almost hard to believe its not real...
Joe
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As it has been said a picture ... .
But then there is my 1225 with extra PE tender.
Ron
UP 844 also gets my vote if only for the rich sound and even richer smoke. After that I'd say that the GE Evolution Hybrid - technically Legacy although part of the Vision Line - is my next favourite because it has so many operating features and is in fact the only RELIABLE Vision Line engine I have got, sad to say. After that comes the UP 9000 4-12-2 with whistle smoke. Basic reason in each case is Legacy sound features but all of these engines are very nicely detailed for die cast models and fun to run as well as look at on the display shelf.
Does anyone know if that automatic adjusting drawbar will be offered on these new heavy Mikes?
I haven't seen the heavy Mikado yet but I think it's unlikely that it will have the compensating drawbar. It is not mentioned in the catalog description. The Mike will probably have the same chassis and tender as the Legacy light Mikado, which in turn is based on the K-Line scale Mikado. It would require some re-engineering to fit the compensating mechanism into that chassis. I hope I'm wrong, I also have the S3 and the drawbar setup is fantastic, but I doubt we'll see it on the heavy Mikado.
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Vision line Hudson 5344 because of the bells and whistle but I am quite fond of my Legacy GP35 Louisville & Nashville
Brent
I do have a VL challenger, but I still think my B&O EM-1 is my number one on my list.
My favorite Legacy Locomotive is my ALCO S-2 Southern that I had Malcolm repaint as a L&N S-2.
I only have one, a GP9 I repainted into a Seaboard Air Line unit into their Jolly Green Giant scheme with fixed pilot and Kadee couplers:
