Lionel Heavy Mikado Reviewed...

Thank you Eric. I re watch your videos at least once a day. Always waiting for your next one.  What ever happened to the Coors Brewery and also do you have plans of on subway line?

Thanks Eric……Does this come close to looking like a NYC H10 Heavy Mikado ?

 

Clem 

Hi Eric , thanks for a fantastic review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I wasn't a fan of pilot engines, but this one looks awesome, i think I'm going to have to purchase one in a pilot version. Also it's great that Rich Melvin's voice is on the crew talk. i watched a video of it on another thread and i wasn't to thrilled about the sound set, but after listening to your review i change my mind. It sounds great

 

Thanks

Alex

Clem, these were classed H-9 and ran on subsidiaries, P&LE and PM,&Y. It would be great if someone made an H-10 as they are very distinctive but the Lionel engine is not even close.

 

Pete

Alex, 

 

I felt the same way when I first saw the Pilot version engines...meh. I've really grown to like them. Wish MTH did more of them in Railking and Premier. I'm sure they'd sell and I don't see how cost could really be an issue. Might even be cheaper to manufacture. 

Another great review.

Thank you Norton

 

Clem

Great job Eric.

Thanks Eric, I've been waiting for this one. - MARSHELANGELO

Fantastic work Eric, I really enjoy all of the extra info regarding the prototype as well as the model on your reviews. Your reviews seem to get better each time.

 

Too bad this hobby wasn't more popular, I could totally see you on an O-guage TV magazine, akin to what Motorweek is for cars.

 

 

Great Job on the review as always Eric, now you got me thinking

Another top shelf job!  You put a bunch of time into these videos and I along with all of us really appreciate your efforts.   Thank you. ..you are an asset to the hobby.

Well done Eric on another interesting engine. I always like your in depth review of the product and you're not afraid to point out what you think is right and wrong.

Eric great job on this video. I just received my FRISCO Heavy Mikado this week and I love it.

 

Thanks for going over all of the features and I did not notice Rich Melvin's voice until I saw this video. I went back to my layout and sure enough, Rich Melvin is now in my basement/crawl space. I had forgot about all of the crew talks and while I was down at the layout went thru it all and WOW, I love this little baby more.

 

May I ask Eric, what type or brand of video camera do you use for your videos?

 

Photo of my Mikado below, I love the smoke units and whistle smoke:

 

 

As usual, another comprehensive review of this wonderful new engine from Lionel. Thanks, Eric.

Eric,

Thanks for a great review of this engine.

 

Pete,

 

Yep, I have been hoping that someone would make the H10 version of the NYC Mikado, especially since 3RD Rail let us down - Probably  the first and last time I reserved one of their engines.

 

If the Lionel version represents a NYC H9 Mikado, how close does it come to representing the prototype?

 

Thanks,

Richard

Another fantastic, detailed review, Eric! If only I had room in the budget for one of these beautiful locomotives (would pick up either a Milwaukee Road, Western Pacific, or Great Northern one if I could)...

Eric, first off, fine review. Thank you. Second pardon the thread drift for NYC fans.

 

Richard, from the few decent pics I have its pretty close to an H-9. Each pic is slightly different which I assume reflects changes made over the years. Overall boiler shape and dome location is the same as you would expect. Headlight and bell location is the same in most photos. If the generator is visible its located just in front of the cab, none show it in front of the stack. Left side pics show both a single and twin air tanks with very similar piping. One pic shows a compressor on the left also though others show twin compressors on the pilot with shields similar to Hudsons and Niagaras. Overall I think a dedicated modeler could take this engine and redetail it to a specific engine if they wanted. Easiest if they started with a pilot version.

 

I think we should start another campaign to have Scott make an H-10. I know many NYC guys that would snap at least one up. 

 

Pete

Thanks Pete.

 

Maybe I will go on the hunt for one of the NYC Mikes. I appreciate the information you provided about the prototype.

 

Richard

Richard, My NYC Mike arrived today. Cosmetically its the same as the ones Eric shows other than the lettering. Its very similar to my K-Line Light Mikado. Tender is identical except for the taillight. Boiler is of course the major difference. Moving the generator would require filing off the steam and electrical lines that are cast on to the smokebox. More reason to get the pilot version as the boiler would have to be stripped if you wanted to redetail it closer to NYC prototype. Lionel has added jewels to the marker/class lights missing from the K-Line. It runs much slower than my cruise equiped K-Line and sounds are much more varied if muted compared to the K-Line. K-Lines chuff and whistle are much more authoritative while Lionel's is more varied with cool squeaks and groans added. Maybe when I finish some current projects I may look for a pilot engine and put together a more accurate H-9. Even as is its fine addition to any NYC roster.

 

Pete

Bueno video Eric, keep it up!

 

 

Dan

Thanks Pete.

 

I am giving this engine some serious thought.

 

Richard

Great review Eric. I like the look of the pilot model!

One more observation of the NYC version. The whistle is the same as the pilot and CNJ versions per the videos posted here. Not at all monotonic though. You can generate multiple pitches without even using the quilling feature.

The crew talk is definitely not Rich Melvin though. I guess because the tender says New York Central they used a downstate NY voice when in fact they should have found someone from SW Pennsylvania as this is correctly numbered for a P&LE H9b.

 

Pete

Overall fit and finish seems better than my last legacy purchases. Black is "flatter" lacking the satin sheen of previous offerings. I prefer this, reminds me of the Korean built stuff.

 

After a very brief test, whistle is a bit less "K4 ish" in person and overall fidelity of the sound is top notch.

 

I'm also glad its not lettered NYC Lines

 

Heres some quick NYC  heavy mike pics:

 

 

 

I'm so bummed out, I looked from front to back in the Lionel catalog. I don't see anywhere

that the pilot version of this engine was listed. So i missed out on it, I'm really not a fan of pilot versions but this one looks awesome. I don't know maybe it's in the catalog and i don't see it.

 

Alex

 

The pilot Heavy Mikado was listed on page 32 of the 2014 Signature Edition as part # 6-81179, but not shown as a picture.

Thanks, Eric, for the review. I'm picking up my Great Northern on Saturday. I must say I believe this engine to be a pleasant surprise, given there wasn't much "hype" about it.

Terry thanks I guess i missed it , I've been smelling to much glue from building so many structures lol. 

 

Thanks again,

Alex

Pete,

 

Thanks once again for providing the prototype information.

 

Rico, great pictures of the Mike and a very nice layout.

 

Alex,

 

I am sure you will find one, and If I know you will move the generator to ahead of the cab roof where it belongs, and paint it black along with lettering / number for the NYC.

 

Now if someone would please make a NYC H10 Mikado and a NYC K5 Pacific my NYC Steam roster would be complete.

 

Thanks again to all

 

Richard

Love the review Eric, thanks again.  And I love that Lionel is producing undecorated engines.  Just wish I could paint worth a darn.

Thank You Eric

Another great review

I enjoy and look forward to all your videos / reviews---but for some reason I really liked this one

Nothing against the large / monster / signature engines we've been seeing lately but ---something nice about a blue-collar, meat and potatoes steamer --- the backbone of a lot of railroads

Also---loved the background info on the USRA, etc. 

 

A request

I know you explained the coal load placement but I would love to see a video if possible of you "gluing" the coal in place

 

Thx again

Joe S   

 

Here's the Mike doing s witch ing duty. Or maybe there's a race going on. It's the Mike by a boiler.

Great review, Eric. Nobody does it better. We have two extras of each road name on sale on our website for $949.96 with free shipping if you'd like one and didn't get it preordered.

 

Thanks for allowing this brief commercial message.

 

As for me, I am looking forward to Erie and NKP.