Lionel 1970s era Steam Locomotives, that aren't energy hogs??

Yes perfect example is a 8801

The Blue Comet is an utterly fantastic looking Engine, but it seems as if it has reached almost a Cult status.   Very expensive to me.

It seems to me, based on my research, that the good Engines made in the 70s era were called the MPC engines.

So perhaps, something more pedestrian, like the 8101 Hudson, Red, (though made in 81).  I would disable the chuffing sound, since on video, it sounds like a two year old banging on a pie tin with a spoon.

Or, perhaps the 8702 Engine, Green.

Any particular comments by folks on the quality and reliability of the 8101 and 8702?   

Are these MPC engines electricity hogs, like the earlier Post Wars?  (They look pretty big.)

Thanks for all comments and recommendations.

Mannyrock

If you want the post war look, try the Williams/Bachmann reproductions of those units. They have can motors.

MPC locomotives were basically the continuation of Postwar, including the large so-called "Pul-Mor" motor.  The MPC motors may be slightly more efficient due to the use of more modern materials vs. the 1950's, but will still draw more than a can motor with electronic reverse.

SPSF's suggestion is a good one: seek out Williams/Bachman reproduction locomotives.

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

SPSF's suggestion is a good one: seek out Williams/Bachman reproduction locomotives.

The downside, however, is there are relatively few Williams/Bachmann engines available in the used market compared to Lionel MPC choices. You could also just get a more powerful transformer! 

Lionel made a couple of 0-4-0 dockside switchers 8200 and the 8209 around 1972. These draw very little power and are detailed OK for an inexpensive plastic engine. another option is Lionel made several 2-6-4 die cast engines in the late 80's and early nineties. with smoke and an air whistle, DC powered with an AC/DC reversing unit and go for small money.

8001 Nickel Plate Road from 1980 is sort of an oddball. Plastic bodied, DC only can motor. Should be a 2-6-4, not sure why the one I picked up is a 2-6-2.  The NKP was an uncataloged item but a similar engine was featured in the 1980 set 1050 New Englander.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.   No can motors for me though.

I have a Lionel Diesel, with a Pul- Mor, and it runs very smoothly, makes no noise, and never sparks.   Maybe it draws the same electricity as my 1957 era Scout engine, but it doesn't seem like it, and it never throws sparks.  So a Pul-Mor motor would be fine.

An engine in the $90 to $100 range would be OK, and I really don't want a tender with it.  All I would really like it to have is smoke and a headlight.