New Standard Gauge Strategy

I have been doing this for quite awhile. For home i like PS-2 or 3.

For SGMA shows PS-1 works great.

Congratulations! You're another well educated collector. You've obviously studied the pitfalls and the hazards. I know that a collector like yourself will be less likely to get hurt collecting Korean tinplate. Which is more popular now than it ever was in the last quarter of the previous century.

so , when were the Korean items made and what was the difference in quality?

joeg

Trainlover160,

The SG tinplate that was made in Korea includes Lionel Classics, the early MTH brown box as well as some early MTH Tinplate Traditions. On the early MTH Traditions you'll notice on the box it will say that it was made in Korea. Hope this helps!

Sunrise

It really does, however, on the west coast you do not see or hear of many of these. Although, I did purchase the Lionel Classics 384 from a friend.

He wore the pick up rollers down to the nubs.

I found replacement pick up rollers and motor brushes, I just have to put them in. It still runs and looks great!

JoeG

Here's a head on and side photo of the 408e that I mention in my initial post.

Sunrise

Though I basically collect Hi Rail, there is nothing like tin plate for looks, fun of operation & longevity.  Nice piece of equipment the 408E enjoy!

nice 408,,,yes I like ps1 never shy away for any of it,,,i have a few "old school" but do miss a horn or whistle in them enjoy

Funny enough, I have a similar strategy that I go by with tinplate (O gauge instead of standard). I've heard so many horror stories about MTH's quality control issues that I have become hesitant to buy their newest Lionel Corp offerings. I've found problems with the pieces that I have bought new as well.

I put a fresh battery into a 10-year-old engine and it takes off like a rabbit. I buy a brand-new Blue Streak set and it has a dead bulb right out of the box. What's wrong with this picture?

Cheers, Ken

Craig,

Your 408e is a beauty! Have you also noticed that the Korean trains are a little heavier? The earlier pieces seem to made from a heavier gauge tinplate. I've never taken the time to weigh each. It may be my imagination.

Pappy,

Actually...this engine is lighter, It doesn't have the added weights.,, It has two build a loco motors.  I don't have the layout to run large consists so Im thinking the lack of added weights wont be an issue.  Here's the other engine I picked up.. a Ives 1134..once again made in Korea w/ traditional motor. Picked both of these engines up for less than the price of one modern LCT engine.