Ted S posted:As a Gen-Xer who didn't grow up in the postwar era, I don't believe the originals are worth the premium. One concern I have, especially with the 1950 model, is that the wheels often aren't well-centered on the axles. I've seen examples at train shows priced over $1000 where the center driving wheel was almost falling off! Well-used examples sometimes show a line scribed through the axle, which suggests that the wheel was removed and pressed back on (hopefully "in quarter!") This is a difficult repair for a home hobbyist without special equipment.
The "783" (8406) and "784" (8606) made during the MPC era are good copies, and were still rated for O31. These used the 2426W tender and small pilot wheels of the 773. You can sometimes find these still new in the box. Watch out for hardened grease which will have to be cleaned out, and also magne-traction magnets which may have shifted, and rub on the inside of the wheels. Once these issues have been addressed, they'll run about as well as the Postwar version.
All of the versions I mentioned will make it around O31, but there's a TON of overhang, especially the cab roof when running in reverse. They were derived from prewar scale models, and IMO always looked out of place with the downsized toy trains and buildings of the postwar era.
I think the 704 Santa Fe "Warhorse" (18062) circa 1997 also came with the small pilot wheels, and could get around O31 curves. These were notably stiff when new, and also benefit from a lot of break-in time.
Ted, your above reply jogged my memory regarding overhang in reverse with engines this size.
A train friend of mine ran his more modern 773 (maybe a Lionel Century Club remake) in reverse, and it hit the inside of a tunnel and derailed on my layout. That was an easy fix: I simply removed some cardboard strips/plaster cloth on the inside of the tunnel that did not affect its appearance, and the engine ran through it in reverse.
My recollection is my friend's 773 otherwise ran OK on my layout, but I took it nice and slow around my sharp 031 curves.
I don't think the 773 is ideal for my curves, and 773s tend to be expensive.
On the other hand, if I want to have a Postwar 773 experience, I run my Lionel Postwar 646 Hudson from the early 1950s. It runs and smokes great on my layout; has more detail (metal handrails); and has more heft, is a little bigger and is a better puller than my Lionel 2065 baby Hudson, which also runs and smokes well on my layout.
The Lionel Berkshires are also great premium Postwar locomotives that run great on my type of layout.
I would opt for good Magnetraction to enhance the performance of all the above Postwar engines. Arnold
