WHY NOT THE TORPEDO ENGINE??

I believe that MTH released it also as a PS1 and a loco sound version too. Some of the tender bodies have zinc pest and should be avoided. K-line also made a very nice torpedo in semi scale.

http://www.legacykline.com/app...ad_name=Pennsylvania

http://www.legacykline.com/app...amp;p_oem_sku=K-1204

Looks a lot like the Prewar Lionel 238E.

The Lionel model certainly wasn't scale, it only had four drive wheels.

KLine, Lionel, MTH, American Flyer, and apparently Weaver have all released versions. Lionel's was not scale, nor American Flyers. KLines was released in 2009, you might be able to find it in new old stock somewhere. I don't know much about the others.

I'm not ashamed to admit, that locomotive creeps me out. Reminds me of the Commodore Vanderbilt, which REALLY makes my skin crawl. I don't know why. It just bothers me.

I have the Rail King version mentioned above. Maybe I am fortunate as my tender appears fine. 

Matt Kirsch posted:

I'm not ashamed to admit, that locomotive creeps me out. Reminds me of the Commodore Vanderbilt, which REALLY makes my skin crawl. I don't know why. It just bothers me.

Same here,  Mr. Ramon Lowry did the PRR no favors on that one,  same goes for the NYC art deco engines. yuck.  I do like the Reading Crusader though, go figure. I hope to see MTH do a scale version.

El Classico posted:

KLine, Lionel, MTH, American Flyer, and apparently Weaver have all released versions. Lionel's was not scale, nor American Flyers. KLines was released in 2009, you might be able to find it in new old stock somewhere. I don't know much about the others.

American Flyer's wasn't the Penny engine, it was a model of the B&O Royal Blue.

American models did the Torpedo in S:

Rusty

MTH has done it twice in RailKing (one with whistle and one Proto-Sound in Green, three versions with Proto-Sound 2.0 in Green, Black, and Tuscan) and twice in Premier (in green).  The Premier versions are not listed under Torpedo like the RailKing models.  You have to search for "streamlined K4" on the MTH website to get them to come up if you don't have the item numbers.

If I remember correctly, Back in the late 90's, Lionel cut up PW Torpedo tooling, packaged the bits into tiny boxes and sold them online to hungry for more stuff collectors at outrageous  prices. 

It was right then Lionel collectors should have taken the hint.  Modern era Lionel values were about to take a dump. And they did...big time...

Joe 

Matt Kirsch posted:

I'm not ashamed to admit, that locomotive creeps me out. Reminds me of the Commodore Vanderbilt, which REALLY makes my skin crawl. I don't know why. It just bothers me.

The VC looks like a particular male product one gets at the drug store on wheels.  

With American Flyer, I was referring to the prewar, 1930's version.

Lionel made the Torpedo in several numbers.  The 1668/1668E had six drive wheels, but it was still an 027 loco.

Lionel's original "O" Gauge #238E:

Lionel's TMCC #238E from the late 90's:

The tooling at this point was developing blow-outs and rough spots, so that the originally planned paint scheme could not be applied.  Interestingly, the motor and chassis from this engine came from the B-6 switcher.  Also the tender is marked as "746RS", and matches size-wise perfectly to the Post War J-Class tooling... much better than the #2046 tender it came with.

Jon

Joe,

I have a new in the box(test run only) Premier MTH 20-3299-1E Pennsy K4s streamlined torpedo engine that I would sell to you at a reasonable price if you are interested.   This engine was released in late 2007/early2008 and was part of a set.    A dealer broke up the set and I purchased the engine new but never operated it other than testing it for a few laps.    It is a PS2 engine and I have installed a BCR.   If you are interested,  you can contact me via my email address in my profile and we'll go from there.

Nick  

Matt Kirsch posted:

I'm not ashamed to admit, that locomotive creeps me out. Reminds me of the Commodore Vanderbilt, which REALLY makes my skin crawl. I don't know why. It just bothers me.

Yeah some designs were likened to the martian war machines in the early sci-fi movies... kind of gives you the creeps...

Good luck on the PRR K4 torpedo. I believe Lionel did a close to scale version in the 90's ?

J Daddy, yes they did! - It was part of their brass Smithsonian line for 2 rail only, and is pretty hard to find now.

As for the engine itself, I think the replies here speak for themselves:

While the engine is under the Pennsy name, it's not exactly the most beloved streamlined design out there, like say the GG1.

Personally, I do like this engine quite a bit, but I too would rather have a lower cost RailKing version than the pricey top of the line version. IDK, for some reason the semi scale design looks better, and I could say the same for most of the other streamlined steamers in the RailKing line. Fortunately, it shouldn't be too long before MTH reissues this engine again with Proto 3.

Some of the earliest streamlined steam locos were ... funky? Improvised? Like inverted bathtubs. But I think the NYC streamlined Hudsons were definitely classy. Everyone has their own preferences. For the modern market, the older versions of streamlined steam locos maybe don't have sufficiently  widespread appeal to sell well.

We have this absolutely stunning set in stock.

http://www.jrjunction.com/cgi-...=action&key=3468

K-4 Streamlined Passenger Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0 - Pennsylvania Features Set Includes: •Pennsylvania Streamlined 4-6-2 K4s Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels) • 2-Car Coach Streamlined Passenger Set • R50B Reefer Car •70’ Streamlined Observation Car Locomotive Features: • Die-Cast Boiler and Tender Body • 1:48 Scale Proportions • Die-Cast Metal Chassis • Real Coal Load • Metal Wheels and Axles • Constant Voltage Headlight • Die-Cast Truck Sides • Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler • Engineer and Fireman Figures • Metal Handrails and Decorative Bell • Decorative Metal Whistle • Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments • Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System • Precision Flywheel Equipped Motor • Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable • Wireless Drawbar • Illuminated Number Boards • Illuminated Classification Lights • Lighted Cab Interior • Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Passenger Station Proto-Effects • Unit Measures:22" x 2 3/4" x 3 7/8" • Operates On O-42 Curves Passenger Cars Feature: • Durable ABS Intricately Detailed Bodies • Metal Wheels and Axles • Overhead Interior Lighting • Die-Cast 6-Wheel Trucks • Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers • Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes • End-of-Car Diaphragms • Separate Metal Handrails • Fast-Angle Wheel Sets • Needle-Point Axles • Detailed Car Interiors • 10 Passenger Figures In Each Coach Car • 1:48 Scale Dimensions • Detailed Car Undercarriage • Sliding Baggage Car Doors • Operates On O-42 Curves

Best Martian war machine ever!

Back to Torpedoes...

The Torpedo is certainly much better looking...

...than the other K4 streamlining job:

Rusty

When I was a kid I thought that all the streamlined steamers I had seen were strange, that is not "normal" looking.  Now I like 'em all.

All in all I like the bullet nose torpedoes. They have neat streamline look, but some Art Deco style fronts had a face that only a mother could love... strange but cool looking....

The Torpedo looks like the artwork for a cover of "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine in the 1930's. That's what I like about it! 

The semi-scale K-Line model is a nice little engine. At various times it was made in green and in maroon, with or without TMCC. I have a conventional one in maroon, which I bought specifically to pull my Lionel Classics Rail Chief set. It's a great combination, as the scale Hudson that was originally marketed as motive power for the Rail Chief really looks oversized compared to the cars. A semi-scale streamliner is just right.

Loewy had a knack for " form follows function " in design, yet made it look like the exact opposite.  In defense of their curious looks, remember that most anything in streamlined industrial design during the 1930's was first generation, usually with a liberal dose of artistic license. 

I love the Torpedo design and hope to find a scale version some day. 

Bruce

Rusty Traque posted:

Best Martian war machine ever!

Back to Torpedoes...

The Torpedo is certainly much better looking...

...than the other K4 streamlining job:

Rusty

I doubt Raymond Lowey had anything to do with the lower design pictured.

I was able to purchase his Premier PRR Torpedo in Brunswick green, in awesome condition from Nick. Thanks so much for a great engine and all the long conversations on the phone. Really enjoyed them.

JoeG

Here is an example of a 'Chicago' Flyer PRR Torpedo No. 1686 (incorrect 2-4-4 wheel arrangement) compared with a Gilbert Flyer No. 553 4-4-2 made using the 3/16" scale Royal Blue die casting. Both are painted in metallic gray and are prewar O gauge. A bit funky, but fun.

Bob