Last week I posted this question and everyone said Western Pacific’s well they are the first run styled after the 2355’s. Well I haven’t made a purchase yet but on saturday the dealer said he would match the price of the Western Pacific 18191, Kansas Citry Southern 14500, The blue GM Demos ABA 14512, and Southern ABA 38188. Which would you pick? I know the ABA sets are the best value for the money but which is the best deal. I wish I could have them all - I will be running the F3 set for limited use with PWC rolling stock mixed with postwar rolling stock. I just want a nice set to compliment my new and old lionel and the be the focal point on my limited collection.
GM Demo, runs fine with everything
It would be a toss up between the WP’s and KCS’s units with a nod toward the WP’s. Both are great looking engines. The WP’s look good hauling passenger cars as well as freight where the KCS engines only look good hauling pass cars.
I am with Chris. The GM demos do go with anything, and are unusual looking as well.
I would like to see a pic of them all. Can anybody post them?
Tom
If I had to choose between the choices listed I also would opt for the GM Demo units.
I like the GM Demos b/c they can be added with any cars and 2500 series passenger cars. I like the Southerns b/c of their Postwar History and ABA look. I like the Western Pacifics b/c they are great looking - but I don’t like the fact they come with the original shells not the updated ones(side lines on bottom of shells-MPC era plus the cheap looking decals/stickers on the front end). I’m not digging the KCS anymore they are pretty but the fact you can’t find a B unit is no fun.
Silver Western Pacifics sure look good on the front end of a string of aluminum 2500 series passenger cars !!!
I think what appeals to me is that you hardly ever see the GM Demo anywhere in CTT for sale or at any deal - they must have made a small amount. Second the fact that I can get the Western for such a cheap price is amazing so I’m stuck there - plus the color scheme is awesome. Finally since I live in the South the look of the souther appeal to me. The are hardley any non-western or North Easter Lionel products. The more I try to narrow it down the more I get confused - I want something that will stand out as the definative must have for a cornerstone beginner Lionel collection.
The Western Pacific scheme is a pure classic. Go for it.
I have the KCS and they work great need a B unit though.
laz57
Let us know which engines you decide to buy. I might be interested in the GM Demos if you decide not to get them.
OK now its down to the Southerns and GM Demos. I’m leaning towards the GM Demos. I know its trivial but the shells on the Western Pacifics just bother me. Thanks for all your help. I’m a young collector on a small budget so I want to make the right choice. I’m just happy I have so many choices of F3’s. 10 years ago or when I was a kid F3’s where expensive and elusive. Its nice that I can now decide which new set I want a fair price and oposed to determining which condition I can afford.
The PWC Southern F3s
I bought these because Dad has the originals. The sound is great and the performance has been what I expected from the AC motors and TMCC. The paint job was very well done. I bought the passenger set to go with them but I am currently seeking the pw freight cars to go with them.
Thanks for the pics! My layout looks very similar to yours and I think I have the same NYC hudson from the set availible in 2000. They look great I wonder why they weren’t hot sellers.
Which One???
FEC Lionel,
How much are they asking for the GM Demos? I believe the Train Shack in Burbank has a set for about $475.00.
I think that these things were much more than that when originally catalogued.
The Southern’s and GM Demos are the same price - $449. He has doubles of every set and wants to thin out the stock. Plus he gives me a break since I’m a young guy and repeat customer. Deciding between all of these is awesome but it hards to decide which ones are the best for me of the 2. Originaly they list for $799 in Lionel catalog.
Thank you FECLionel!
Tomorrow is D-Day what should I go with. I’ve been wrestling between both. Its so hard - I wish I had more $ so I could just get both.