What is a Good Lionel Steam engine for around $1000?

Most, if not all current Lionel larger steam locomotives are running in the $1200 (Mikado's) range and up.  The Lion Chief plus with Bluetooth operation are in the $400-$500 range.  You may be able to do better through your local or favorite internet dealer.

Check out the latest Lionel catalog.

Do you need to purchase a new locomotive?
There are lots of trains available on the secondary (used) market at significant discount.

I second the secondary market; in fact that is where I would go should I need something new. It does help if you know a bit about the mechanics or electronics as sometimes a non working engine is real cheap and an easy fix. The flip side of that is the engine is actually a basket case and needs a funeral. I got a great almost new post war 736 with the wheels jammed; it was a carpet tack.

At the age of 14 one could also consider you have many options coming your way, AND the time to be picky. Happy hunting.

Ernie

First as you didn't say do you want Lionel or MTH od doesn't matter. As said above a lot of nice engines even on Ebay used are a lot cheaper. And what are you looking for. I saw a K-Line Allegheny ( Virginian road name ) for $795 or best offer. goto Ebay click on price and shipping the most first. Avoid looking at the one for $500 as he has like $23500 shipping.  Basically goto the 2nd page then continue to find what your looking for

Brian gave you some great advice about the Lionel LionChief+. That appears to be Lionel's upcoming technology. Great deals can often be found in a break-out sale. Folks buy a RTR set and then sell off the individual components. There's a bunch on eBay right now; all under $500.

Go secondary unless you prefer all the fancy electronics. I haven't bought anything new since I was 12, and in the 6 years since have had plenty of fun with old postwar and prewar trains.

Round House,

    If you are looking for some new Legacy Steam engines that you could purchase for $1000 or under you may want to take a look at the Mikados in the 2017 Signature catalog. List price is $1300 but if you find a dealer that gives a 20% discount your right at $1040. The issue you will come up against is the built to order date has passed along with the BTO discounts. Try some of the forum sponsors they maybe able to help you out.

    Another engine that should be shipping soon is the Moguls in the 2016 V2 catalog. Listed for $900 you maybe able to get one for around $720. I have a TMCC Mogul and love it.

   As some have suggested looking at the For Sale forum is a good idea. There are currently Legacy Norfolk & Western Y6 and a Legacy SP Northern up for sale both for under $1000 (well under)

Good luck let us know what you end up with.

JohnB

You have left your future plans undefined, but permit me to make some suggestions based upon the pictures attached to your profile. As others, I suggest looking in the secondary market. There are a number of excellent scale-sized Lionel steam engine offerings from the past decade that have RS5 and TMCC that are at about half their original purchase prices. A TMCC engine, by the way, is likely to a better investment than a new LionChief engine over the long haul if you figure that Legacy is in your future. An M.T.H. selection could be run nicely in conventional mode with the option of taking up DCS in the future.

Have fun!

Bob

I can't afford new either although being in the hobby for 40+ years! I get slightlyused and if cheap enough, upgrade with GRJ's supper chuffa & Your Last Battery [It's a corny name but I run conventional]

I would look on flea bay..for a Lionel legacy Atlantic....one of the earlier legacy steamers....

While I can easily afford it, I could never justify spending $1000  for a Chinese toy engine.  I've never spent more than $500 for an engine and that was years ago for the two 5340 Lionel scale Hudson's in my collection.  Most of my engines cost $225 or less  but I run 100% conventional operation and must have rock solid reliability.  If you wish to go this route you can run on a small budget. If you like remote operation gadgets ( as many do) ,  then be prepared to spend quite a bit more.  It all depends on what type of layout operation you wish to run. 

You can find really nice TMCC engines these days for excellent prices under $1000. Then for about $100, add the Super Chuffer, Chuff Generator from GunRunnerJohn, and tune up the smoke unit. You will have an awesome "Legacy like" steam engine for hundreds left.

Keep an eye out on the For Sale threads here to.

Ditto, most of my engines are second hand, and I've upgraded the way Laidoffsick has stated.   The word is patients.   Every engine eventually ends up on EBAY or right here for hundreds off list.   There's no reason to buy retail when in time you can have it for far less.

Buying trains today is like buying a car.  In this case the minute you pull it out of the box the depreciation can be huge.

New, Legacy Heavy Mikados are available at different places such as Nicholas Smith Trains and eBay for $930 or so.

I had two of the Legacy Light Mikados .... and I was very happy with them. Don't know if there are differences in the two models' running characteristics.

Good luck.

What's a "good" Lionel engine for a grand? Baby, at that price they ALL should be good. You can upgrade some other company's engines (like William's") for far less if you just can't live without all the fancy electronics junk in it. Don't be in a rush to spend the big bucks.

RoundHouseRails posted:

So I just looked at my collection and realized that I had 3 diesels and 1 steam locomotive. So I am deciding the next engine I will buy is going to be a steam. But I don't want to be spending $2000 because I'm only 14 so don't make a sufficient income. Let me know and I do want it to be a more modern engine

Young man, try this fella Tom...wrawroacx@windstream.net

Young man, if you have $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket and you're interested in a brand new Lionel Legacy streamlined NYC Hudson #5426 with J3 tender, Charlie Ro currently has L-82537 on sale for $999.95.  The pre-York sales are starting already!!! 

David

If you are able to go to York with the $1000 you would be amazed at what you can come home with. If not the OGR for sale forum is a great place to hunt. Good honest people selling trains.

Rod Miller

First on the Table is a Weaver Pennsy H10 and then a Weaver Pennsy LS1 Mikado.  Both have been upgraded to TMCC and speed control. IMO,  A lot out there beyond Lionel.  Mouse over and click on the image triangle for a video.