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Closed41 replies

I have it down to two. Which would you pick?

Michael HokkanenMichael HokkanenOGR Forum Member
As mentioned in a previous post in which I received much salient advice (thank you) I asked for input on purchasing a great looking scale steamer. At the time I said large but in my search found many smalelr engines with a big look "feel".

I KNOW that I must make up my mind but I would appreciate a little push by way of your opinions.

I have narrowed the search down to the two following choices. I could actually run the ROW engine now while the Lionel would be on display until I get my 0-72 curves up, but that's OK. I can set it on a display stand near the layout and admire it everyday. The choices are;

Right-of-Way Chesapeake and Ohio C&O Berkshire 2-8-4 3-Rail....or the

Lionel 28051 Baltimore and Ohio 2-8-8-4 EM-1 Articulated Locomotive!

Here are features of the Right-of-Way:
•Handcrafted Brass Construction
•Can Motor
•Electronic Reversing Unit
•Operates on 042 Curves
•Sprung Drivers
•Smoke Unit
•Operating Headlight & Back-up Light
•Lighted Number Boards and Markers
•Complete Sound System
•Many Details Added on by Hand
•Locomotive Number 2700
•Firebox Glow from flickering LED Lights

Here are features of the Lionel:
Die Cast Boiler, Frame and Tender
Wireless Tether
Odyssey System Speed Control
Train Master Command Equipped
High Torque Pittman Motor
Articulated Rail Sound 4.0
All 16 Driver Wheels Powered
Fan Driver Smoke Unit
Operating Headlight

Any opinions are appreciated. I am really enjoying the selection process and have communicated with a few OGRer's in the process. Thanks to such a great forum!
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RickORickOOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Maybe I'm wrong, but that R.O.W. berk looks small compared to those offered by Lionel or Mth, if your interested in a berk I would shop for one of theirs. I would go with the em1, the sound is guaranteed to be far superior and you have the option of command control,on top of the fact you'll have double the locomotive.On a side note, especially in the case of a used loco (some may scream at me now) you are more "likely" to be able to obtain parts if ever need be from the more major O guage players like Lionel and Mth.
LW Lee WillisOGR Forum Member
The EM-1 would be my choice if it was me, but I bet I'd actually be happier with the Berkshire.

I am a sucker for big articulated scale locos that end up being too large to look good running on my layout: they end up being shelf queens. But I keep buying them anyway. Even the biggest non-articulated are a bit large. It is the Berkshires and Hudsons that I end up running all the time.
Gilly@N&WGilly@N&WOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Hokkanen:

Right-of-Way Chesapeake and Ohio C&O Berkshire 2-8-4 3-Rail
Handcrafted Brass Construction

Here are features of the Lionel:
Odyssey System Speed Control
Train Master Command Equipped


Two factors to consider for each

ROW
Brass can be fragile. No matter how careful I think I am, it very easy to break things on a brass engine.
Conventional operation. The day might come that you may want command control.

Lionel
Speed control and TMCC.

Both have sound, but sight un-seen I'd pick the Lionel...
Lionel

That's my $0.02

Gilly
D500D500OGR Forum Member
I seem to recall chatter about the Lionel EM-1 after it came out that the "072" requirement was
a bit on the nominal side, and that the loco was really wanting a larger curve. Inside wheels were
observed lifting off the track; occasional derailments. I heard this more than once - which I realize does not
make it true.

Anyway, I have no experience with the locos myself, and the owners can debunk or confirm this tale, for sure.
Hope its just hokum.
A audidrivenOGR Forum Member
Michael,

I am in complete agreement with everyone about the EM-1 but the 2 engines aren't really a fair comparison. I collect brass models and can say the ROW lacks the detail compared to even today's die cast models. The ONLY reason I would consider the Berkshire is because it is a rare model, while the EM-1's are listed every week so you could easily acquire both over time if you ever wanted to expand. I know the model you were looking at for the ROW as I also considered it for the scarce factor, but after researching the actual engine 2700 against the model I decided to wait until Sunset 3rd Rail's offering of it.

Do you really desire those particular engines or did you choose them due to immediate availability? Choosing a model for myself is always a tough choice as the offerings are more available than the cash to obtain them, leaving me making some tough decisions at times. I might try your method of recommendations in the future.

Good luck!
jd-trainjd-trainOGR Forum Member
I would buy something that I could run on the layout.

I currently have a O-54 and O-63 double main. Last fall, while most folks were at York, I scored a great deal on a set of SGL brass Reading passenger cars. This set was one of two passenger sets on my dream list. While I have them on display on a siding on the layout, unfortunately I can't run the on my existing curves. While I enjoy looking at them on the siding, I can't wait (hopefully the Spring or Summer) when I can expand the layout and actually run the cars.

For me, its a bummer to have something and not be able to run it.

Jim
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