Most affordable steam locomotive?

With the addition of K-Line’s Plymouth switcher (99 clams) and the notorious Beep Beep (49 clams); low-priced diesel fans have their day in the sun.

What is the lowest price steam engine available? Last time I looked, an MTH docksider was about $150 or so; 3 times as expensive as a Beep.

Surely there must be something good and cheap for smokers.

dav

Aren’t the new Lionel docksiders (which may not be in stores yet) about $88-100? One can always seem to find an older 2-4-2…

Doug,

Now that I think of it, I believe Lionel is coming out with an 0-6-0. Don’t know the price, however. Starter sets are a pretty good bet. Also, now that you mention it, I believe Lionel sells a pretty striped-down 4-4-2 or 4-6-2(?) for about $99 MSRP.

Lionel anounced a new 0-6-0 docksiders for $99 MSRP. It looks like a good deal from looking at the pictures. Nice proportions and detail. The description lists “new electronic whistle” so my guess is a digitalally recorded whistle like Williams is using. It is diecast and to be any cheaper, they would have to go with a plastic boiler I think.

IN the last MTH catalog, 2004 vol 2, the rugged rail steamers with PS2 list for $200.00 which means you can pick them up for around $160.00. Not bad for a command controlled steamer.