F- 3 's DSL

I have 2 sets of Lionel ABBA Santa Fe and UP. Love them both. Also have a K-Line ABBA Jersey Central. It is great also. 

All of of mine are either RS4 or RS5 command equipt. 

My advice is to buy what you like but I would recommend something newer, stay away from the pulmore motors they don't run great IMO. 

Well, i haven't been beaten up on this forum lately, so i'll rain on the parade before it begins.

To each his own, or as i often say, "that's why we have vanilla and chocolate ice cream"; but in my opinion i've always felt the F-3's were pretty homely and plain Jane looking even with some fantastic paint jobs.

To me the Alco PA's remain the best looking diesels ever made with a classic elegance that cannot be surpassed even when given the blandest of paint jobs.

jackson

You hit the nail "on the head" - few things in God's creation exceed the alcos for beauty.

I still love the looks of the PA-1, but E and F units have really grown on me. I'm not much of a fan of the Lionel PW F3 though, the odd looking squinty windshields kill the appeal for me.

Jeff C

I am a steam engine guy, but some 1st generation hood units light my fire. The most impressive units to me are the ALCO PA in D&H livery, the Baldwin Sharks in B&O livery, followed by the F units, except the FT which is an ugly duckling in my opinion.

My preference is the first scale F3s that Lionel did around 2003. They are stunners. I have the Sante Fe, Alaska, B&O, WP sets from this series and I personally think they are the best ever.

hello

I can see Alco's  too they look good

could go with either one

Do they share the same running gear ?

Also what about the drives trains themselves ?

This what I want to know is a ;

1954 or 1964 or 1974 or 1984 or 1994 or 2004 2014 ?

Is one better than another ?

Depends on what you want. If you want post war then something in the mid 50's would be it.

I recommend the Lionel units from the 2003-2005 era. If you want more modern then 2007-2014. They have legacy And better sound.