Hello

Welcome to the world of tinplate. The best place to start would be the 2014 LCT catalog. Some of the items may still be available.

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...4_tin_v_1/index.html

New tinplate almost needs to be preordered when the catalog's come out. There will be some of the bigger dealers with a bit of extra inventory, but not a lot.

Steve

Seeing you are interested in the Electoliner and Zephers, are you sure the Tinplate forum is where you want to be? Traditional 3 Rail and even 3 Rail Scale deal with the modern models of vintage equipment if realism is what you're after. Tinplate is the wonderful world of toy trains.

I would echo Quick Casey's remarks.  If you are interested in purchasing an Electroliner or Zehpyr, you maybe better off seeking advice in the traditional O gauge 3-rail or scale forums rather than Tinplate.  For example, MTH in the last decade has produced several electric and diesel-electric streamliner trains in plastic.   MTH's production in 2007 of a 4-car North Shore Line Electroliner and their just delivered (January 2015) articulated 4-car Boston & Maine Pioneer Zephyr are two excellent MTH examples but both are made of ABS plastic not tinplate.  Lionel's 2014 catalog included a reissue of their diecast Lionel Zephyr, this time upgraded with a Legacy control system, but I would not call this "tinplate".

In O gauge "tinplate" MTH (Lionel Corporation Trains) has recently produced several streamliners.  For example, they made two versions in different paint schemes of the articulated "tinplate" Hiawatha streamliner but these train sets are powered by steam engines and not the electric or diesel-electric engine you appear to desire.  In electric and diesel-electric streamliners, LCT has recently produced several Union Pacific City of Denver sets in three different paint schemes including silver, green, and yellow.  In fact, you can still order online directly from MTH the three-car green or the four-car yellow City of Denver sets.

Bob Nelson

Airedale,

i am not up on Electroliners or Zephyrs, but I just wanted to welcome you to the Forum!  You will find scads of folks who will be happy to answer any question you have.  I am looking forward to seeing more of your input!

welcome! lots of great guys and knowledge here.

Pappy,

You could be correct.  That said, MTH's online 2013 volume 2 catalog identifies on page 109 a "Boston & Maine" "Pioneer Zephyr" Diesel Passenger Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0; #20-20358-1, $799.95; as having been  delivered in January 2015.  On page 109 you will also find two "Burlington" Pioneer Zephyrs listed including the "Mark Twain" Zephyr both of which were also delivered in January 2015.  MTH listed a Flying Yankee in their 2008 vol. 1 catalog.

Thank you very much for your kind and imformed replies. I just love the look of the American electric and diesel Streamliners ( I am originally from UK) the older stuff I feel would be hard to find especially in good condition, that's why I decided to go for the newer models. My buildings and line side furniture is very much tinplate though! along with toys I have collected over the years. Thank you also for putting some info my way.......much obliged, and of course the warm welcomes......this place is full of information and fun, I'm glad I found you's!

Hello Airedale,

Welcome to the forum.  By chance,do you have a special liking for the Airedale dog breed?  We do.  We have a 6 year old female at present.

Norm

Thank you for your welcome Norm. Although a lovely breed, no I don't have Airedale dogs, I do though come from Airedale where the breed originates.....hence the name! We always had boxers........by breed not profession! (Sorry)

My this site has some real meat & potato threads! Talk about a stealer of time!

Getting back to trains, could someone tell me please, how many sections the original Zephyrs had? Thanks, I've seen pics of three and four and I think multiple? 

Hello Airedale,

Welcome to the best Toy Train Forum around. The original Zephyrs/Yankees came with only three units. Most of the newer production come with three units, also. Sometimes there are special sets that have four units. In the event you do purchase a three unit set and want the forth piece. You can buy the extra car as a separate purchase. I hope this helps.   

Airedale welcome to the OGR Forum.  You'll get answers to any question you may have and make many new friends, as you peruse the many topics that arise.

Jack

I remember researching which Zephyr to buy when MTH came out with the scale sets a few years ago.

The train was called the Zephyr. It was 3 cars. After one year a 4th car was added. The 2nd year the train was renamed the "Pioneer Zephyr" to pay homage as the first Zephyr built.

The next Zephyr offered was the "Mark Twain Zephyr" it was 4 cars long and had the high headlight like a miners helmet.

The 3rd Zephyr MTH offered was the B&M Pioneer Zephyr. This was a fantasy scheme. It could be made into a Flying Yankee by removing the baggage car and replacing it with the add on Coach car. The real "Flying Yankee" was a 3 car set sans Baggage car.

Jim,

I no longer have the minimum track radius on these. I know that most required big turns. The exceptions that come to mind are all of the prewar Lionel and Flyer. My memory is about gone. Please, fill in the gaps, Thank you!

Thank you all on your kind help and welcome's, yes this place is chock full of useful information, it's amazing! thanks again. I will go for the three unit Zephyr first with the option of perhaps one more car?

Although not strictly tin plate.......the Marx and maybe AF Streamliners will come later! I just love these models (new) of the Zephyrs and Electroliners.

As a footnote most of my O scale/gauge is Ace Trains engines and rolling stock, with a splattering of the 'cheap' M series Hornby. I really have a soft spot for anything tinplate in buildings etc.

Airedale,

"Pride Lines" manufactured several colorful streamliners two of which (Flying Yankee, Green Diamond), are now for sale on ebay.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I will check them out, the Green Diamond looks very cool. I'm not familiar with 'Pride lines' cheers....

Phil.

http://mthtrains.com/premier/spotlight/09_2014/h

Airedale,

I just received the above link from MTH.  The link announces the availability of their new Pioneer Zephyr trains at dealers and at MTH.  The trains are made from ABS plastic not tinplate but nevertheless they are nice streamliners so you may be interested in adding one of them to your collection.

Bob Nelson