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Why is the Super Motor version of the #33 so under appreciated?

NachtjagerNachtjagerOGR Forum Member
This might be a dumb question, but I've gotta' ask it. I just got another #33 in the mail and it's a buttugly repaint but I bought it because it's one of the great running Super Motor versions which (I think) were only made in 1923. I'm planning to swap one of my nice original paint bodies onto this chassis and then just repaint this shell and put it on one of the older motors.

My question is simple - why is there so little attention paid to the Super Motor version of the #33? This is only the second one I've acquired and I don't see very many of them, so why are they not in demand? It seems to me, logically, that collectors would be looking for these things, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Is it just me or does this not make sense? The only other Super Motor #33 I have can pull seven or eight 100 series freights with ease while the old motors stuggle to pull three or four cars. Anybody else out there have an affinity for these ugly ducklings? Confused
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The NighthawkThe NighthawkOGR Forum Member
The 50 was the same size as the 38. It took the 38's place in the line. The 33 was it's own, smaller, loco. The super motor used in the 33s was unique as well. It had trapezoidal sides to fit in the cab!

I think the sad truth is there just arn't enough "collectors" or people who care anymore. I have seen alot of desireable "variations" of common pieces plummet in value the last few years. Take the first series 800 O gauge freights for example. The 8 stake 831 used to sell for a few hundred bucks, now they barely bring 50.

I suppose its up to the few of us that are left to appreciate the oddities, i believe its a cycle, and new blood will come. Until then we are the care takers of these time capsules!
Rob EnglishRob EnglishOGR Forum Member
Jager,

One of the things that a longtime collector ingrained into my methods, was the understanding that "uniqueness is not the only factor in desirability" and that there is a combination of things that make any single train desirable for a collection.

Since the 33 was made in huge numbers (relative to the time, mind you) and generally in dull colors (olives, and greys are predominant) there is just not that much that is exciting about it.

Now for the hard core collector, the SM 33 is pretty cool. But to help people to understand the collectibility of something like this, it is incumbent on us to show off the differences and enthusiastically discuss it! Frankly I have never seen the motor in this beast, and would love some pics to study!

Super Motor 42 with early wheels? Good Idea.
GlennRJrGlennRJrOGR Forum Member
I would love to see MTH make a motor for the 33 to 42 locos. I love this style loco and it would be cool to retrofit my stock so they run better. But getting back to a rare breed. We are, when I go to local shops and ask about standard gauge tinplate they all look at me like I have a third eye. Then they say they had a car or two once but they had to give them away.
NachtjagerNachtjagerOGR Forum Member
Okay Rob (and anyone else who might be interested), here's a few pics of a Super Motor #33 and a video link to the same loco running around. Note in the photos you can see the triangular part of the frame sticking up behind the windows and looking underneath, it's immediately apparent if you've found a Super Motor version or one of the "regular" older motor #33's.

[IMG]Photobucket[/IMG]

[IMG]Photobucket[/IMG]

[IMG]Photobucket[/IMG]

And below is a link to this loco running around the track, using a Type Z transformer. The faster speeds are at around 18-20 volts, it will go faster but I was getting wheel spin and traction problems past that because the cars weren't rolling very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw0ueSVxSV8

Take care all! Smile
Y yamawhoOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by The Nighthawk:
The 50 was the same size as the 38. It took the 38's place in the line. The 33 was it's own, smaller, loco. The super motor used in the 33s was unique as well. It had trapezoidal sides to fit in the cab!

I think the sad truth is there just arn't enough "collectors" or people who care anymore. I have seen alot of desireable "variations" of common pieces plummet in value the last few years. Take the first series 800 O gauge freights for example. The 8 stake 831 used to sell for a few hundred bucks, now they barely bring 50.

I suppose its up to the few of us that are left to appreciate the oddities, i believe its a cycle, and new blood will come. Until then we are the care takers of these time capsules!

 

Old thread I know but couldn't find another about the 33 ...

 

I guess you could call me "new blood" since this is my first pre war item. Actually got the set which has the #35 Pullman and #36 Observation.

 

I just love the look of this engine and it's a super motor.

 

 

 

my 33 a

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kanawhakanawhaOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thanks to this thread, I've found out that my 33 has the super motor and I now know when it was made.

 

Back when I was a small kid in the 50's my uncle gave me the train set he had as a kid. It was the 33 with the 35 and 36 passenger cars. It was given to him from a relative that actually worked in the Lionel factory. I ran that set under the Christmas tree until I was probably around 15. Still have it, albeit a bit worse for wear, displayed in my train room.

 

Ken

FM Former Member

One factor with the early super motor that may affect the popularity/appreciation of locomotives that have it, has to do with the large gear on the drive wheels. These are called "large gear super motors" for that reason, and if you are an operator with a layout you may find that these large gears can hang up on the guardrails of tinplate switches and cause derailments.  

 

If you are just collecting and the loco lives on a shelf, it's not an issue.  The earlier motor in the 33, 5, etc., did not have this issue, and the later "small gear super motor" also did not.  

 

Not a big deal, and the amount of interference seems to depend somewhat on the individual locomotive and the individual switch; but some people who want to run all their trains on a layout can sometimes tend to avoid the large gear super motor, especially if a given locomotive is also available with another more switch-friendly motor.   I have a couple of Lionel 8's with the later super motor that run on my layout, and one older large-gear super motor 8 that stays on the shelf for this reason.

 

 

Steve "Papa" EastmanSteve "Papa" EastmanOGR Forum Member
For tubular std gauge track go to http://www.standardgaugetrack.com/  
Much better than the tubular track MTH sells. Price and service are unbeatable.
 
Steve
 
 
 
Originally Posted by yamawho:

Next thing I was looking at is a loop to run this engine, I was looking at the MTH.

 

Also, I ordered books on Amazon but I have not received yet ... the 2014 price guide is one.

 

I may travel to Boston soon so I want to check out some Antique Malls since this is where I found this one.

 

Y yamawhoOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Steve "Papa" Eastman:
For tubular std gauge track go to http://www.standardgaugetrack.com/  
Much better than the tubular track MTH sells. Price and service are unbeatable.
 
Steve
 
 
 
Originally Posted by yamawho:

Next thing I was looking at is a loop to run this engine, I was looking at the MTH.

 

Also, I ordered books on Amazon but I have not received yet ... the 2014 price guide is one.

 

I may travel to Boston soon so I want to check out some Antique Malls since this is where I found this one.

 

 

Any idea where they are located?

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