Lionel Legacy advice on engine

I have really enjoyed my Santa Fe Northern: Great sound, great whistle, lots of steam, plus steam whistle.

Also have the Vision Line Hudson: Great engine, hard to find at anything less than MSRP, but worth it.

Blue Comet is also a great little engine, particularly now that Lionel is updating the whistle to be more "realistic."

By the way, the VL Hudson will run on 0-36, and the Northern will go around Atlas 0-45 (I had to "mask" some of the rails on one switch, but otherwise runs fine), Blue Comet does fine on 0-36 (except will not back around 0-36 switches). Of course, this is on my layout; opinions no doubt will vary.

I have a UP Mikado and a CP "Ten-Wheeler" (4-6-0) as well as a CP Shay; all run really well and sound great, but the top on my list is definitely the Santa Fe Northern (mine is the #3751). Rumor is that these will be in the 2012 Version 2 catalog coming out next week, so they may be still readily ordered/available.

Hope this helps, Sunrise.

Bruce

(I know, Rich Melvin, I will change my avatar to something more presentable, but I'm at work and will change it tomorrow.)

SS,

The Lionel Southern Crescent Limited (6-11334) or the Blue Comet (6-11335) are two beautiful engines that I've been eye-balling for some time now.  However, I really want the Lionel VL Greyhound Challenger (either 6-11220 or 6-11221), but don't want to spend that kind of money right now.  It's a beast with both sound and style. 

Wait and see what's in the Volume 2 catalog due out on Monday.  There might be something else worth waiting for.

They're all good, for a smaller, lower priced(can be found for under $800) loco the legacy k-4 is my favorite, theres still a few available at dealers and they have that cool whistle steam effect. I prefer the prewar version as it has a couple of added marker lights on the pilot.This well done video of the postwar version belongs to another forum member.

I have several Legacy engines and a couple already mentioned.  In terms of sound I am impressed with my GS-4 and my ATSF Northern, but nothing comes close to the sound performance of the Vision Line Challenger.  It is something you really need to hear to appreciate.  Of course to buy one, you really have to appreciate it a heck of a lot....because it is very expensive!!

The UP FEF has great sound,smoke and performance to go with the steamboat whistle. A great Legacy steaamer

... and it can pull too:

I have to recommend a Legacy Berk.

Mine is the PM 1225 shown here with the Polar Express tender...

Here is my favorite engine for the best bang for your buck: 

The Lionel Legacy Lindbergh Special E6. This engine cost me only 595 dollars and includes the steam whistle effect which I think is better than any engine out there today. 

Here is my review on it from a few months back: 

I will also agree, the K4 is an awesome model.  I got mine this past spring in the Polar road name and it is simply awesome.  I run mine on 036, 042, and 048 curves.  Very nice engine for the money.