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I've become a big fan of scale sized smaller steam locomotives. I think they look great on the small to average sized layouts.

I would like to see Lionel make a small commuter locomotive like the 2-4-4T's that once ran on the New York Central's Putnam Division branch line. Anyone else interested in this locomotive or locomotives of a similar type?

2-4-4T

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Though some Forneys were used for some commuter service (especially with a leading truck) because they easily handled sharper curves, I think of them more as narrow gauge locomotives. I had a large scale live steam SR&RL #6 0-4-4 Forney that was fun. It was a model of the one used on a 2 ft gauge railroad in Maine.

As for my O-gauge layout, I am not interested in that type of locomotive, but I am sure there is a market for them with the right promotion.

Last edited by TM Terry

I have an S Gauge 2-4-4 which looks very similar. It came in pieces in a box with all kind of American Flyer and other parts but I could complete it. I never knew the NYC had locomotives like that and since the box included the EJ&E decals I lettered with these. Maybe I re-letter it one day to NYC. It is marked REX, which was an S gauge manufacturer once I assume.

P1140683P1140684

Regards

Fred

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Lotsa luck! Getting a small one after the K-line one, or as small, as most were, Heisler or Shay, or small logging 2-4-4-2.   I built my own steam dummy and am working on one of those steam coach marriages. Washtubs full of HO and even Bachmann On30  versions of tank engines and many other small engines are available.   This is  3 rail. And l have not seen many small engines in O scale std.gauge beyond one kit for a Wabash? 2-6-0. There are tank switchers in 3 rail.

wmcwood posted:
NYC Fan posted:

 Anyone else interested in this locomotive or locomotives of a similar type?

2-4-4T

Yes, I would like to see more of smaller size engines. 

I would like to see a legacy version of the K-line tank engines

~Bill

Yes!!! I would go for a Legacy version of the K-Line 4-6-6T.

NYC FAN - I agree! I run only small to medium size engines with a couple of boxcars and a caboose at low speeds around my 10' by 5' layout with O-54 curves. The manufacturers have made many versions of the big engines, and I already own quite a few of them. I would rather see some small, unique and unusual engines. By virtue of their small size, they probably would be more affordable too. Would definitely buy that 2-4-4T.

MELGAR

NYC Fan posted:

I've become a big fan of scale sized smaller steam locomotives. I think they look great on the small to average sized layouts.

I would like to see Lionel make a small commuter locomotive like the 2-4-4T's that once ran on the New York Central's Putnam Division branch line. Anyone else interested in this locomotive or locomotives of a similar type?

2-4-4T

Count me in! Would look great next to my 0-6-0 docksider.

I've wanted one of the K-line 4-6-6T since they were first cataloged, however with just my outer loop having 42" curves I could never justify buying one for such limited use on my layout.  I would definitely go for a 4-2-2 that would handle 31" curves and run conventionally.  Good luck with that, right?

My favorite story about the railroads is "The Little Engine That Could".

  Watching weighted small fries pull more than its seems they should be able to is lots of fun. I love the look of a little engine in front of a big scale box car too. It doesn't matter , toy or scale, it amuses me.

 But really there are less than a dozen "little" engines from the large O gauge makers.   Porter, and a few switchers. They always seem to be in decent demand too. I know the overall On30 selection looks really appealing in the "something different" sense. If I hadnt been Lionel raised, I think I might have switched over by now. The whole style and era it leans to holds the most interest for me from a modeling perspective.

For the common market, my guess would be seeing something from Bachmann if at all. A tight packed wheelbase version might even pull 027 if they pay the coupling some attention, as if....

 

I am always impressed by big engines. They seem like they're doing more even when sitting there.

I stumbled onto a MTH PS2 0-4-0 steamer painted like PRR but unlettered I think?

http://mthtrains.com/20-3203-2

 For some reason I enjoy watching her run more than most other engines I have. It's interesting to see what she can do. I paired her up with an Atlas F3 and they do the same job as the bigger ones do. I hate to say it but I think she's cute.

 Here they are pulling out on the mainline up a slight grade

you might also be entertained looking at a small engine if you don't have one yet.

Those switch lanterns in that picture threw me. I couldn't figure out what was hanging there.

 

Definitely - especially those of the NYC. I have the 4-6-6T - a big little engine - with a discrete front electrocoupler it would be perfect...sounds like a project to me!

Anyway, yes - tank steamers, Forneys, commuter locos, in scale - all appealing. I understand the tooling vs sales price costs, especially in a shrinking market, but I'm not buying the Electronic re-issues...am I the only one? Would some truly new and imaginative tooling open the wallets of some of us now sitting on the sales sidelines?

I have a boiler from the Lionel 221 (the wee "Dreyfuss" 2-6-4)...that would make a tank loco project starting point! All I need is a modern chassis as the other starting point.

But - to the point - yeas - I'd buy that NYC 2-4-4T. ERR, headlight, a little sound (not necessary), e'coupler(s). Don't need or want Legacy.

colorado hirailer posted:

What is currently available in small steam engines from the Big Two?  I bought a couple of set breakup Lionel 0-8-0's to kit bash, since they have no electronics, but am not aware of any smaller recent engines?

Other than switchers, the Lionel Ten Wheelers and the MTH Consolidations are two of my favorite. 

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