With the cost of some quality original post war Lionel items rising, do you have an opinion about the products made in the Celebration Series reproductions? As always, thanks.
I have the B&O Cellebration series set. Price wise; I think it was worth the money. It was packaged well and the PWC packaging looks great. Quality wise; I really dont know how to judge it. Judging by the likeness of the original and modern, I cant tell, since I dont have any original part of my set. But, judging by todays manufacturing standards, the visual and architectual quality of the set is 5 stars. It has many more details than the PW ones have, and also alot of them have been modified for better operation.
A+++++ For the PWC Sets.
The main question is, what set did you have in mind?
Grayson: Individual operating cars like the coal dump, log dump, milk car etc…No one particular one in mind. Thanks.
Included with the set were 2 operating cars. The 3361 log dump car and the 3356 Horse and Corral car.
I have no problems with the horse and corral car, however, the log dump car used a pluger, instead of the rachet that it used back in the 50s. However, in the new Berkshire or Hudson set [cant remeber the engine type] uses the orignal rachet.
Gotscha! Thanks.
I think the only Lionel PWC item we have is a NYC tender. From what I’ve seen, the PWC items are not exact replicas of the originals. I liken them to William’s products in that respect. Close, but not exact.
Jim
If they were exact, then they would be reissues and not celebration series. I think the point is, if you are a real collector then only the original will do. Much like people who collect books want first editions. I have no doubt that we could build a better than new 1932 Ford (and some folks do) but it is still not like owning an original.
And most of the time, as with any type of collection, only other collectors of the same thing even know what you’re talking about.
There is nothing like owning an original.
And not being exact copies isn’t a negative in my opinion. The paint and graphics are better today. The modern electronic sounds are lightyears better than the crude sounds of the originals, and the new stuff runs smoother and quieter.
It all depends on what floats your boat. I’d rather have the original.
Jim
In all due respects (not to cause any problems between train fellows) I probably have to refine my question. I am a Post War fan. I am also a “player” as opposed to “collector” and am on a fixed budget.
What I would like to do is spend $ on cars that will “fit in” with the older stuff and yet be as durable. Some of the ‘modern’ era cars that I have seen do not appear to be made as well.
I value your opinions and suggestions. At the present time, I do not know whether I should just ‘bite the bullet’ and spend a little more on the older stuff which means fewer items or go ahead and spend less on the newer stuff which means that I will have more items.
Does this make any sense? Please bear with this “older” guys rambling…[:)]
I have both post war and modern PWC rolling stock. No PWC motive power though. I much prefer the modern stuff. Its just as well built as the pre 1956 cars and better than the later plastic truck cars. Most of them look identical from 5 feet away. I have a sentimental attachment to a few post war pieces but prefer the PWC for operation.
Pete
If you are an operator, you aren’t running mint condition, expensive pieces. Operator grade post war rolling stock is by and large, plentiful and affordable. By operator grade, I mean pieces with some play wear or “patina”. Some people don’t mind these previously loved cars. Some do - collectors. But if a particular original is out of reach because of expense or availability, the PWC versions are great alternatives.
Jim
Jim: Pete: Like the the guy standing on the sidewalk when the snowplow comes by, I get the drift. SO, I think we can let this thread RIP. THANKS TO ALL.