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Gd Morning Everyone. Just a quick question for the members who are currently in the know. Does anyone know the verdict on LionMaster Locomotives. It was mentioned a couple of months ago that the LionMaster Challenger would test the waters for future LionMaster Locomotives and I was wondering if the Challenger had passed the test and if so, What would be the next LionMaster to hit the tracks.  

Last edited by marshelangelo
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I have 3 LionMaster engines that are the earlier TMCC runs and they all have been repaired to run and smoke better than when they were made. I just could not justify a Legacy version that cost so much more than what I purchased what I already have. If there was something truly different I would seriously consider it. Maybe there are more people like me which is why the sales are not what Lionel expected.

Hay Greg

 

I can't help it. Got to put a picture of my only two. But I will have some more lord willing.

 

One already on pre order and noticed in this last OGR mag one company is still offering a last minute order for a decent price.

 

 

I may get the other one I want from this last catalog if he has it.

 

These Lion Masters are perfect for my fantasy layout.

 

Picture 1. The Big Boy is Lagacy

Picture 2. The 4-6-6-4 Challenger is TMCC.

 

Larry

 

PS have fun on your hunt Gregg, them Big Boys are (IMO) very hard to find currently anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

Big Boy Glamour Shots 012

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I just picked up my second Lion Master, the N&W 2 6 6 4. This is a really nice engine and it has some good clean sound. I have all 54 curves and I wanted another big engine. It looks great pulling a load of 4 bay coal hopper cars. The one I just got is #38049 an older one with no run time on it until now.    

We have the LM Legacy BB with whistle steam. It's our only non-scale Legacy loco. 

Really impressive visually. Very smooth runner. Great smoke. Great sound.

No complaints. 

I could never pay 2k for the scale version and would never want a loco that requires 72" or greater curves.

We just don't have that kind of space.

Hey fellas, I'm happy to have discovered the LionMaster Line, I also have 3 but to find the LM Legacy BB, has been a challenge, I only ran upon one, and it had some repair issues.  I didn't want to buy one that needed repair immediately after purchase.  I've finally cleaned out my basement and renovation should be starting shortly.  Meanwhile I'll have to get on RR track and see if I can implement an O-72 loop around the perimeter of my layout plans and refocus on a Legacy Y6B.  I will still keep an eye out for any LionMaster news or hints, and who knows, maybe I will still be able to get a BB.  I went to the Nassau Open House last week and saw somethings and once my juices started to flow, I realize I have 10 Steam engines and only 1 isn't a command control type so I'm not doing too bad, but the focus still remains on getting a LionMaster BB, until I can visualize a O-72 loop on my layout.  Take care fellas and holler if you hear something.  - MARSHELANGELO

Thx...
 
Steam whistle effect would be great on LM. I presume not all LM steam models have this feature? It would be great to have the whistle steam effect on locos that run on 042 which is the biggest I can do now
 
Originally Posted by Nick12DMC:
You are correct Lionmaster is equivalent of MTH Railking Imperial. Selectively compressed in size to run on 031.

I have a LM Challenger and Big Boy. Super locomotives that allow you to maximise route availability on your layout.

Nick

 

Last edited by BigBoy4014

Hey BigBoy4014, I'm not familiar with MTH's Railking Locos or products, so far I've only purchased passenger cars (in Rail King format) but the LionMaster Locos are semi-scale trains that have been "scaled down" so as to meet the radius of O-31 and O-36 curves.  They are not that small truly and my only complaint with them is the garbled crew talk but I have a LionMaster Cab Forward, PRR T1 and a UP Challenger and am extremely satisfied with them.  prrlionel, I think the number you are looking for is 6-11149, it's the serial #.  I hope that's what you were looking for. - later fellas - MARSHELANGELO

Hi Greg. I have a few RK imperial steam and diesels. For the money and the features, they rival the Premier and some Legacy/TMCC models (the ones I own) but not all of course. Most RK have full DCS and run on DC and AC.

The Imperial sets around $350 is a superb deal for most people. The best thing about them is they have full DCS yet look scale-like and run on 031. Check them out for value per $$... Example; I picked up a NIB CSX SD70Ace Imperial for $199 shipped. This is full DCS PS2

 

I will be checking out the LM Challengers, BB's and so on as long as they have whistle steam effect I am interested otherwise the MTH value can't be beat for me

Originally Posted by BigBoy4014:
Thx...
 
Steam whistle effect would be great on LM. I presume not all LM steam models have this feature? It would be great to have the whistle steam effect on locos that run on 042 which is the biggest I can do now
 

I believe the only LionMaster engine released so far with steam whistle effect was the Big Boy Legacy version from 2010, as Forrest noted above. The upcoming Legacy LionMaster Challengers will be the second LM engines so equipped.

 

I'm looking forward to the new LM Challengers - the yellow stripped version will be pulling my 15" streamlined UP passenger consist. Like others, there's no way for me to have space to run the big scale steam engines (when I see these, I'm still amazed at how big they are; even 72" curves are really too small). Actually, I'm not entirely sure I'd want a huge layout and huge amount of $$ tied up in it and the extremely expensive engines to run on it. In many ways the smaller layouts often seem pretty nice in comparison - more manageable. It sometimes seems a better fit for people with other interests in addition to trains.

 

I'd love for Lionel to continue their re-introduction of the LionMaster series. I'd be all over a LM N&W J if they made one, for example. A re-issue of the N&W 2-6-6-4 would be of interest as well. I may pick up one of the older TMCC versions if we cross paths. 

Sam, I have yet to enter the MTH world as I'm still learning and discovering new things about Legacy, and to add to that my layout is not up as of yet.  I've got trains on two different floors and I'm slowly running out of space but my layout building is inside of 100 days.  I have plans to join in on MTH but I don't want to spread my wings to wide and I really haven't jumped of the building yet.  But I have a nice video collection and I see thru this site and several other members layouts what MTH and all of the others have to offer and I will definitely get in the mix.  Price wise and everyone's love of MTH and Atlas and soon enough I'll step into another area of the hobby for me and I have you and a couple of the guys in the videos for the enlightment that goes beyond Lionel.  I've been with Lionel since I was 2 and it'll be interesting for a taste of something different.  thanks Sam for your input. - GREG

Originally Posted by locolawyer:

Breezinup,

 

The Legacy LionMaster PRR T-1 Duplex issued in 2011 (it was in the 2010 catalog with the PRR E-6 Atlantic) also had whistle steam. I have one.  Thus the previously issued LM bigboy is not the only LM engine to have whistle steam.

 

Erol Gurcan

Interesting - I missed seeing that re-issue. Have to go back and see it.

Here's the complete roster of LMs (not including the current issues.) 

 

Union Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3983 4-6-6-4 ChallengerUnion Pacific6-2807739832001
Delaware & Hudson LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #1527 4-6-6-4 ChallengerDelaware & Hudson6-3801315272001
Rio Grande LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3800 4-6-6-4 ChallengerRio Grande6-3801438002001
Rio Grande LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3800 4-6-6-4 ChallengerChessie6-3801438002001
Pennsylvania LionMaster TMCC 4-4-4-4 T-1 Duplex #5514 4-4-4-4 T1 DuplexPennsylvania6-3802055142003
Western Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #402 4-6-6-4 ChallengerWestern Pacific6-380214022003
Western Maryland LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #1206 4-6-6-4 ChallengerWestern Maryland6-3802212062003
Union Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3976 4-6-6-4 ChallengerUnion Pacific6-3802339762003
Union Pacific LionMaster TMCC SD90MAC #8049 SD-90MACUnion Pacific6-2820180492004
Conrail LionMaster TMCC SD-80MAC #7203 SD-80MACConrail6-2820272032004
CSX LionMaster TMCC SD80MAC #803 SD-80MACCSX6-282038032004
Norfolk Southern LionMaster TMCC SD80MAC #7201 SD-80MACNorfolk Southern6-2820472012004
Canadian Pacific LionMaster TMCC SD90MAC #9107 SD-90MACCanadian Pacific6-2821191072004
New York Central LionMaster TMCC 4-6-4 J3a Hudson #5418 4-6-4 J3a HudsonNY Central6-3804554182004
Norfolk & Western LionMaster TMCC 2-6-6-4 Class A #1234 2-6-6-4  Class ANorfolk & Western6-3804912342004
Union Pacific TMCC LionMaster 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4024 4-8-8-4 Big BoyUnion Pacific6-3807540242004
New York Central LionMaster TMCC 4-6-4 J3a Hudson #5422 4-6-4 J3a HudsonNew York Central6-3808554222004
Boston & Albany LionMaster TMCC 4-6-4 Hudson #607 4-6-4 HudsonBoston & Albany6-380866072004
Clinchfield LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #672 4-6-6-4 ChallengerClinchfield6-380906722004
Northern Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Challenger #5121 4-6-6-4 ChallengerNorthern Pacific6-3809151212004
Union Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-6-6-4 Greyhound Challenger #3980 4-6-6-4 Greyhound ChallengerUnion Pacific6-3809339802004
Black Diamond LionMaster Freight Set (NS TMCC SD80 #7203) RTR SD80 Freight SetNorfolk Southern6-3199372032005
Canadian Pacific LionMaster TMCC Freight Set (SD90 #9108) SD-90 Freight SetCanadian Pacific6-3002691082006
Southern Pacific LionMaster TMCC 4-8-8-2 AC-12 Cab Forward #4276 4-8-8-2 AC-12 Cab ForwardSouthern Pacific6-1110742762007
Union Pacific LionMaster TMCC Diesel Freight Set (SD90 #8048) RTR SD-90 Freight SetUnion Pacific6-3005180482007
Union Pacific LEGACY LionMaster 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4006 4-8-8-4 Big BoyUnion Pacific6-1114940112008
Conrail LionMaster LEGACY Non-powered SD80MAC #4121 Non-Powered SD-80Conrail6-2829541212008
Rio Grande LionMaster LEGACY 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3805 4-6-6-4 ChallengerDR&G6-1115238052009
Union Pacific LionMaster LEGACY 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985 4-6-6-4 ChallengerUnion Pacific6-1120039852009
Western Maryland LionMaster LEGACY 4-6-6-4 Challenger #1204 4-6-6-4 ChallengerWestern Maryland6-1120112042009
Conrail LionMaster LEGACY Diesel Freight Set (SD80 #4120) RTR SD-80 Freight SetConrail6-3177241202009
Pennsylvania LionMaster LEGACY 4-4-4-4 T-1 Duplex #5511 4-4-4-4 T1 DuplexPennsylvania6-1120755112010
Union Pacific LEGACY LionMaster 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4011 4-8-8-4 Big BoyUnion Pacific6-1120840112010
New York Central LionMaster LEGACY Freight Set (SD90 #9951) SD-90 Freight SetNew York Central6-3179199512010
Last edited by Chris Lord
Originally Posted by marshelangelo:

Hey fellas, I'm happy to have discovered the LionMaster Line, I also have 3 but to find the LM Legacy BB, has been a challenge, I only ran upon one, and it had some repair issues.  I didn't want to buy one that needed repair immediately after purchase.  I've finally cleaned out my basement and renovation should be starting shortly.  Meanwhile I'll have to get on RR track and see if I can implement an O-72 loop around the perimeter of my layout plans and refocus on a Legacy Y6B.  I will still keep an eye out for any LionMaster news or hints, and who knows, maybe I will still be able to get a BB.  I went to the Nassau Open House last week and saw somethings and once my juices started to flow, I realize I have 10 Steam engines and only 1 isn't a command control type so I'm not doing too bad, but the focus still remains on getting a LionMaster BB, until I can visualize a O-72 loop on my layout.  Take care fellas and holler if you hear something.  - MARSHELANGELO

Just bite the bullet, run O-72, trade in those Lionmasters, and run a real legacy engine. I promise you won't look back and wonder what the heck you were thinking ever buying anything else. If you like the Big Boy the Vision Line BB is the best thing going.

Originally Posted by Winston:

Just bite the bullet, run O-72, trade in those Lionmasters, and run a real legacy engine. I promise you won't look back and wonder what the heck you were thinking ever buying anything else. If you like the Big Boy the Vision Line BB is the best thing going.

I'd like to be able to run 0-72, but some people are "space challenged" like my self at this point, no room for 0-72, only 0-42. I own quite a few 0-72 locos because they are beautiful and I run them on straights only at this time. Later I hope to have enough space for 0-72 or more.....So you see, it is not that simple

FWIW, I'm proud of you guys for using LMs if you don't have 0-72 or larger. Very practical of you all.

 

It's the guys who buy scale, large steamers, and then are "surprised" it won't run on less than 0-72 (when catalog clearly states it) that wear us out. Or, they make posts about why it doesn't work...

 

I hope you guys enjoy your LM line. Though not my taste, I truly understand why you guys love them. Kind of the best of both worlds for everyone involved with LM.

Originally Posted by breezinup:
Originally Posted by locolawyer:

Breezinup,

 

The Legacy LionMaster PRR T-1 Duplex issued in 2011 (it was in the 2010 catalog with the PRR E-6 Atlantic) also had whistle steam. I have one.  Thus the previously issued LM bigboy is not the only LM engine to have whistle steam.

 

Erol Gurcan

Interesting - I missed seeing that re-issue. Have to go back and see it.

It's a beautiful locomotive.  Here's mine...around 7:30 in the video you will see the whistle steam...

 

Doesn't Lionel own the k-line scale hudson tooling?

If so, it can negotiate 031 curves and was a much better model than the lionmaster version.

I suspect that future lionmaster releases will be focused on articulated steam. Those scale down better visually but are still mechanically complex enough to justify a higher price tag which helps to justify the tooling and production costs.
Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines posted:

If they reissue more LionMaster locomotives, I hope the J3a Hudson is next.  The Cab-Forward would be awesome with whistle steam...and a Daylight version like Lionel offered in scale size.

AGREED!!! A re-issued LionMaster Hudson w/ Legacy (and whistle steam) should be in Lionel's 2017 catalog offering.

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