Hi Guys,
Happy Thanksgiving! Looking to pickup a Class A plus auxillery tender. Looks like both Lionel and MTH made them at similar price points. My number one focus is scale quality/visual accuracy/detail as most of my setup spends a lot of time on the shelves. Using that lens any preferences? Any other makers to consider? Thanks as always!
-Bill
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The last Williams brass loco offerings - their "Masterpiece Series" - contained an N&W 2-6-6-4, as I recall. I have the Century and un-streamlined NYC Hudson from this group. Well-done, high-end look. Mine run well; I need to upgrade them.... The same builder did the Smithsonian Lionel brass Hudsons, to my knowledge, and I believe that whoever that was did some 3rd Rail production, too.
I would go that way for display; for running I would probably go Lionel (I have one) or MTH (a friend has one), but I honestly feel that any would do both well. Lionel has TMCC, no Odyssey (it's kind of an early piece). Good brass has a certain crisp look - fewer "thick" spots.
Unless you are a 2-railer, for a true shelf queen, I'd go 2-rail. Not sure about 2-rail production of this loco through the years.
My preference is the MTH version, especially since they offered a model of the last 5(?) N&W 1200s with all roller bearing side rods. Mine is #1242.
I have a Williams and a Lionel. The thing that irks me about the Williams version is that the steam piping for the front cylinders is COMPLETELY incorrect, being the same as used on the UP Challengers and BigBoys! Many people say the boiler is too small, but, overall the loco is pretty good looking. Early runs of the MTH have incorrect trailing trucks. I think this has changed but I haven't actually seen a new version in person to know. Photos that I have seen seem to show incorrect or an absence of appliances under the cab. The big bug-a-boo about the Lionel version is that the cold water pump under the fireman's side of the cab sticks way out from under the cab. It wouldn't be too hard to fix, but, like the early MTH trailing truck, it shouldn't have happened.
Isn't there some scuttlebutt that the MTH and Lionel were both made from the same set of drawings? Lionel allegedly stole (or was sold) the MTH design and eventually Mike won the lawsuit of this one?
This to say that they should be pretty close as models...
c.sam posted:Isn't there some scuttlebutt that the MTH and Lionel were both made from the same set of drawings? Lionel allegedly stole (or was sold) the MTH design and eventually Mike won the lawsuit of this one?
Yes the Lionel Scale N&W Class A, the scale Pennsy T1 and there's a 3rd engine I forgot. From what I have read, the same Korean engineer was working on both the Lionel and MTH engines and copying was done. The full case document is online somewhere - anyway that's why we won't see a Scale N&W class A or PRR T1 anytime soon from Lionel as they would have to redesign and cut new tooling.
With that said and to answer the orginal Post question, I would say the MTH is best especially given the most recent Lionel scale offering is 17 years old at this point.
I too have the MTH Class A #1240 with the Timken rods and I just love it. Awesome looking, awesome sounding and a helluva puller!
Thanks so much guys - very helpful!!
"I have a Williams and a Lionel. The thing that irks me about the Williams version is that the steam piping for the front cylinders is COMPLETELY incorrect, being the same as used on the UP Challengers and BigBoys!"
Interesting - I had no idea. I don't have one, and have not noticed that from the photos (usually on eBay). I supposed that they would be as nice as the Masterpiece Hudsons.
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