One of the LHS is going out of buisness by me and he is selling, on consignment two Lionel Century club steam loco’s. The loco’s have never been run, hell Im not sure they’ve ever been out of the box. One is a Berkshire, the other I think is the Turbine, what is the difference between Lionel Century clud trains and regular Lionel trains? The LHS is asking $300.00 each for them, is that a good deal?
Paul
Paul,
$300 NIB is a very good deal.
CC trains were just special runs and had a few extras, like gold plated whistles. The CCI was all Lionel PW reissue of standard PW trains. The CC1 berk is one of my favorites and the Railsounds is good, but it is just one chuff per revolution. The berk stays on my layout nearly full time. The Turbine smokes above normal for a Lionel and has steam turbine sounds (whoosing sound).
CC1 trains also came with things such as repros of certain Lionel blueprints for the particular loco and a custom display case was available for separate purchase. The Turbine was also offered with a second streamlined tender (more appropriate for the turbine - separate purchase) with Pennsy lettering.
The CC1 series started in 1995 and was a 5 piece runup to Lionels 100th anniversary and the end of the century.
Paul, I just posted about a Berkshire as I was considering adding one to my layout. Have you had a chance to look at it? Is it comparable (other than the internals) in quality to the older versions? Regards, George
Although still using Pullmors at $300 I would jump on them. See if he has the other tender for the turbine as well.
I just got off the phone with the hobbyshop guy, and he still has both of them for sale. He’s going to close in about 30 min, so no time to get there tonite, but I will be there first thing when he opens tomorrow. But which loco should I get??? I can only talk the “little lady” into one of them. Do these have RailSounds, and how do they compare with MTH products? Any info, and advice will be greatly appriciated, I don’t plan on keeping it in the box, I plan on running it, it seems that keeping perfectally good trains in the box is NO FUN!!
Paul
If I could only buy one, I’d buy the Berk.
Jim
While I do not have video of the Berk here is one of the Turbine…
MARTY: I just watched your video. CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT! My two steam engines (2035 and PE) don’t even come close. Question: Is it your engine or am I doing something wrong? As always, many thanks.
Hey Marty,
Thanks for the video, it’s really cool. I was under the impression that Lionel engines don’t smoke well, well your lionel smokes as good as my MTH’s, did you somehow mod your engine or is it stock?
Paul
For some reason, the CC1 turbine is a unique smoker in the Lionel lineup. I do not have a single other Lionel loco that smokes like the turbine.
Personally I would get the Berk vs the Turbine. Looks great with my Lionel PW traditional size boxcars and smaller passenger cars.
The Turbine always smoked well. I just recently rewicked it though. The improvement was minimal. It always did smoke well. This is a video from a few month ago before rewicking…prewicking CC671
Marty,
Your alright buddy, Im really at my wits end, everybody is telling me to get the Berk, but I really like engines that smoke alot, I think for that reason Im leanning tword the turbine, but it’s really a tough call, at this point Im still not sure, but your video’s of the turbine are REALLY convinceing for the turbine. I have two MTH Railking engines, one is a 4-6-2 Southern Crecent, and the other is a 4-6-4 Erie (the one with the light blue boiler), is the Berk and Turbine the same size as these, or are they bigger? And how is the Lionels detail compaired to my Railkings? Im just curious, it seems that the compition between the two companies is enormus.
Thanks for all the great info and advice I really appriciate it.
Paul
It wouldn’t hurt to ask the dealer to see whether the seller would sell the pair for $500. Maybe your wife would relent if you could get a bargain like that.
FYI, catalog price for the CC 726 Berkshire (18053) was $895.95, and the catalog price for the CC 671 Turbine (18057) was $795.95.
Paul,
If you decide to get the turbine, I would be interested in the Berk. Send me an e-mail if you would with hobby shop contact information.
Thanks,