Want to get a nice runner for 027. Considering a post war 2025. Would also consider a newer engine with sounds too - don’t need TMCC or DCS. Any suggestions?
A 2025, 2037 or any of their kin are good 027 steamers. Nice runners that’ll pull stumps.
If you get a new loco with sounds, don’t get one with Trainsounds. I picked up a 4-4-2 from last year’s Target set because I liked the look of the engine. The steam sounds are OK, but the whistle sounds more like a horn. Not sure why Lionel can’t make a decent sounding whistle in the Trainsounds. You’re probably better off getting one with Railsounds, or get one with a plain whistle and install an aftermarket sound board like one from ElectricRR. You could also get a Railsounds boxcar. On many mailorder sites you can get a Pennsy Flyer starter set with a 4-4-2 for $149. If you don’t need the track and tranformer you could sell them off on ebay.
don
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I want to get something reliable to pull the consist for a working RR so that the kids can use a bunch of accessories. Sound would be nice, but it is not a deal breaker.
Go postwar. Cheaper, drastically more reliable (IMHO), and easier and cheaper to repair.
For looks go for a 2025, 675, 2026,or a 2020 turbine. If you go for the turbine, buy one that already runs and has little back axle play. The worms are not for an amateur to replace.
For running go for a 2035 or 2037, both have magnetraction.
224’s and 1666’s are equally as good, but lack smoke.
Good luck!
I’ll add a third for the 2025. Reliable, and easy to work on.
Kurt
+1 on 2025/675/224/1666 etc. These are great engines and pretty inexpensive as well. Any of these numbers will run on 027. I’ll let you know what I think of the new Lionel 0-8-0 after my son opens it up for Christmas[:D]
Just to complicate matters, I have some v. inexpensive 027 MPC-era steamers - with nice-sounding (to me) whistles - and some newer K-Line and Lionel engines (from about 6 yrs back) with conventionally-powered Train-sounds - the steam and whistle sound great - to me. All 027
Lionels new 0-8-0 seems to be nice, I do not have one but have run them. Probably around $100.00 so a nice easy start on the wallet.
I’d go postwar like many other have said but if your looking for deatailed stuff with railsounds that runs on O27 that are reliable you can check out the new lionel mikado and berks. I have both and they run great and pull alot. esspecially the mikado.
Hi! Only a suggestion: Postwar Lionel 2035
My #1 suggestion would be Lionel’s Mikado jr., Extremely Nice detail for an 027 locomotive, Very Smooooth runner and will pull more than your are likely to ever couple up to. The chuff does start to sound a little hollow at higher speeds though. I know that this was done in Union Pacific Non-TMCC (IWish that it been TMCC though), I beleive that the B&O was non-TMCC as well, and the current catalog has the Alasks RR as non-TMCC. Excellent Locomotives,
#2 Suggestion for me would be Lionel’s Berkshire jr, some had Railsounds, some had Trainsounds depending on what RR, and when they were built. Nice valve gear detail, they have a post war look to them in my opinion. Excellent pullers also.
#3 choice for ME would be the Lionel Hudson jr. Very nice looking Locomotives. Again either Railsounds or Trainsounds, depending on which version and when it was built, no doubt about it, the railsounds versions sound better, mine have the RS, and are my favorite of the 3 as far as the sounds go. these have the stamped valve gear, not as detailed, but more ruggedly built. Not quite the stump pullers that the other 2 are, but still pull a nice train (8-12 cars) very well. I admit to being a little biased with these, as it was THE locomotive that got me started in O 3-Rail several years ago.
Another to consider if you are not set on a tender Locomotive is Lionel’s 0-6-0T Docksider, this is another Great Looking, Great Running little Steamer. Great detail, and on a loop of track I had set up, with a little selective choosing, I literally put together a train that coupled front to rear, 21 cars and that little 0-6-0 took off with that train like it was just the Caboose in tow. MSRP on these is $109.99 New, and often available for under $100.00, very hard to beat.
I have at least 3 of each of the above, and have been happy with all, and all have been very reliable. Plus I have given many of these as gifts to Nephews, Gr
Here you can see the Little Hudson, Top & Center, having earned that Honor as THE Locomotive that started my interest in 3 Rail O-Gauge, having been an HO-er for many years before.
The Mikado jr. is on the Left third row from the top.
The Berkshire jr. is below that.
There are 2 Docksiders on the right side of the 5th row from the top, under the Cab-Forward.
Doug
I’ve had a slathering of the 1666’s by Lionel Post War and I don’t think for the money they can be taken. Jake
Guess I was lucky. I purchased my 2020 from a reputable online/bricks mortar location, w/service center. The 2020 runs like a top. I also enjoy the early version of the 2025 and the 675. Although the 675 quit smoking. Time to search the forum for 675 repairs.
Rod L.
Awesome picture, you have incredibly good tastes!!! I am drooling!![:P]
Hi Berk 765,
Thank You for the compliment, that pic was taken in June 0f 2007, I built that display for the LOTS(Lionel Operating Train Society) visit to our HO club,(I am a multi-Scaler) during their National Convention, held here in Portland, OR that year. My Collection has grown a bit since then, if You would like to drool some more, I recently took some photos of more of the collection, but it started raining before I finished. many of these locomotives will have already been in the previous pic.
These are my Lionel SCALE sized Locomotives
These are my Lionel Semi-Scale and Traditional size Locomotives
These are my K Line Passenger cars and K Line Pacific
Unfortunately the weather did not let me finish photographing my collection, which after my home was broken into the end of July, I decided that I had better get some insurance on these. Fortunately, even though I thousands of dollars of equipment displayed, they only stole my desk top computer and my entire gun safe, and a few small things. But I realized that if I were to be unfortunate enough to have a house fire, I would be out an immense amount, that would be hard to replace. Left to be photographed are my small collection of Lionel diseasels, various MTH items and my Lionel passenger cars, as well as a widely mixed collection of freight cars, among which many of my Favorites are K Line, like the Cabeese in the previous pic.
Doug
Hi Challenger 3980!!
Thanks for the pics
I think the 2025 and 2037 are both great suggestions. A 2055 would be good as well, plus it has the added bonus of being easier to disassemble if repairs are ever needed.
Just my $.02,
J White
Another good choice for “027” sized steamers include: The often overlooked, 2029 from the late PW era. The 2029 is basiclly a 2037 without Magnetration (it has traction tires). It has a good smoke unit and most, but not all, came with air whistle tenders. Speaking of 2029’s, 2037’s etc, the Lionel/MPC folks took this mold and created a 4-4-2, that came in a number of roadnames (C & O, B & O, MW, Pennsy, RI). These engines are all strong pullers and they all came with The Mighty Sound of Steam (which may or may not still work), and some (C & O, MW) have an electronic whistle, they all have a liquid smoke unit. Want something really historic for a 027 layout ?? The Marx 333, a die-cast 4-6-2, or the Marx 1829 a detailed plastic 4-6-4 are true workhorses, some of which have smoke units, and their smoke units give MTH’s Protosmoke a run for the money. Happy Hunting Ken