IF you were going to purchase a Lionel Post War engine, be it steam or diesel, AND if you were going to use it to haul a NYC load of Post War cars, AND you wanted it to work on O27, AND you wanted it to be powerful, what would you be looking for? A lot of ‘ands’ but I enjoy your candid opinions.
Assuming money were not a problem, and the engine were going to be hauling NYC cars, the most logical choice to me would be either a 773 Hudson or a set of NYC F-3s. The 773 would probably run about $1000, and the F-3s around $400.
Oooops, I’m sorry, I missed the qualification of it having to run on O27.
I don’t think that there were any vertical motored NYC F-3s, so that counts them out, and I doubt there’s any way that you could get a 773 to run on O27.
The 675 is one of my favorite postwar steamers, but I don’t quite think that it would be apropriate for NYC(the 675 is obviously a Pennsy-inspired design).
I might go with one of the Baby Hudsons, like a 2055 or 2056. They can run on O27, have plenty of power, and are good looking. They’re all also not too expensive.
I second the 675 or the 2025 as my first choice, followed by the 2055 or 2056…All these engines can be had reasonable prices on any given day.
Though I do love the 675/2025, I would also recommed the smaller Hudsons like 2046/2056, 685, 2055, etc. They’re a little heavier and the magnetraction versions will haul even more.
Mike S.
If you want max pulling power I’d recommend a 736 Berkshire. Runs great on O-27 and can pull just about anything you have. And its a beautiful looking engine as well. All in all, just a classic postwar engine.
Thanks to all for your suggestions. 2055 and 2056 engines look good and would compliment my 2035. I do like the 736 also, but for now, the nice looking ones that I have seen are a little too expensive for this “older” guy. At least I know what you would select and, when I gather a few more pennies, I will be looking for those specific engines. Thanks again.
want to run some New York Central freight and looking for a post war O-27-able engine? I just picked up this one:
The 221 Dreyfus Hudson with New York Central right on the tender.
Frank,
Nice engine. Always wanted one of those. I thought I remember reading somewhere that this guy won’t go over O gauge switches (022s) well and it was truly designed for 027 switches
. What kind of switches are you running?
Mike S.
Ben, I know that there is a way that you can get a 773 to run on O27, including modern Lionel O27 switches, because I did it.
Post War 22’s (O-31) and Modern O-72’s (don’t know the number)
If it runs on three rails and is AC with Lionel stamped on it,…I LOVE IT!
The 726/736 and 2046/2056/646 are much more representative of NYC outline locos(Alco’s?) than the 2055/2065/665, which many folks think look more like AT&SF locos.
Rob
I’d go with the 2046. It looks like it belongs on the NYC, plus it’s big (shares the same shell as the 736 with a different boiler face) and has magnatraction. The price is right for them and mine can actually outpull my 736.
I guess no one likes the 2065. [:(]
I do. [:D]
Here’s a post war 224 toting some NY Central post war frieght.
The 221 is a good choice if you are using the smaller 027 cars. They work fine on 027 or O gauge switches. For the larger cars, 2046 or 2056 are good choices since they are NYC style steamers. Many Lionel steamers are Pennsy or Santa-Fe style.
Lionel MPC did, in 1972, when it was reintroduced as the 8206 New York Central loco, with the feedwater heater & all… but with Baldwin Disc wheels, S-O-S, whistle, & traction tire.
Rob
It was renumbered as an 8206. Nice looking, especially with the Baldwin drivers. Any one know if the MPC version is a good runner?
Jim
already have it, my baby 2046. runs great, plenty of power. haven’t had to do anything but oil and lube in the four years I’ve had it. and got it for under $200.