NYC Classics

Just out of the shops after a rebuild. Apparently the Central experimented with cylinders that had steam inlets on one side of the piston only. This gave an odd two chuffs per revolution. Turned out to be a total disaster. This one has been returned to normal operation. Four lobe cam replaced the two lobe and Lionchief smoke unit replaced the puffer. Testing done with some strange car that landed on the Central’s track. I think they plan to use the car for a repaint to try and match the engine. So far a dozen paint jobs and they have’t succeeded yet. Computer color scanners still haven’t arrived.

Pete

Legacy Schmegacy, who needs it?

Early MTH F3 units. Nice detail. Very early Lionel PA's. Still handsome after all this time!

A thoughtful gift from my friend Bob Buehler, owner of Bob's Trains 4 U and TCA Eastern Divsion Vice President.....

Happy Easter or Happy Passover, folks!

Peter

Here's a short video that I took on one of my last visits to Marty Fitzhenry's home.

Mikados of the H6a class snort & grunt their way out of Harmon, Northbound with a heavy mixed train in tow …..

Pat

I was able to find a good deal on an early Lionel version (2004?) of an NYC Mohawk L-2a at the recent April York show.  I’ve been after one of these for a number of years, and I’m glad to have one in my collection finally. Here is a short video I put together of it running on my layout.

Anyone else have photos or a video of these brutes you would like to share?  Maybe the latest Legacy version?

@rjsmithindy posted:

I was able to find a good deal on an early Lionel version (2004?) of an NYC Mohawk L-2a at the recent April York show.  I’ve been after one of these for a number of years, and I’m glad to have one in my collection finally. Here is a short video I put together of it running on my layout.

Anyone else have photos or a video of these brutes you would like to share?  Maybe the latest Legacy version?

Darn tootin!

Thanks!

- Mario

@CentralFan1976 posted:

Darn tootin!

Thanks!

- Mario

@rjsmithindy posted:

I was able to find a good deal on an early Lionel version (2004?) of an NYC Mohawk L-2a at the recent April York show.  I’ve been after one of these for a number of years, and I’m glad to have one in my collection finally. Here is a short video I put together of it running on my layout.

Anyone else have photos or a video of these brutes you would like to share?  Maybe the latest Legacy version?

Two great videos Rob and Mario. I especially like how the tracks cut through farm country. Where I live the BR&W cuts right through the farms in the area. The reason why is because one of my late grandfather's ancestors who owned the property sold the right of way to the railroad. This allowed rail service from the Delaware River, through the two, then off into Flemington (NJ) to connect with the bigger railroad line. Somewhere in my photos is a chain of title to the property stating when the ancestor sold the property and to what railroad.

@CentralFan1976 posted:

Darn tootin!

- Mario

Great looking layout Mario - made a little better with some NYC steam !

@rjsmithindy posted:

Great looking layout Mario - made a little better with some NYC steam !

Thanks!  The O gauge layout of the CNY NRHS in Syracuse.

LMK if you’re ever in the neighborhood.

Any more Niagara NYC Classics running about? Been a bit quiet lately.

Lionel CCII TMCC Niagara. Renumbered along with a 4 lobe cam, cab curtains and brass deck plate. Gears and driveshaft replaced.

Pete

When I had mine done Pete, my deck plate was of course already broken. I had the gears done, smoke upgrade(Super Chuffer), and lights too. I kept the original sounds though but got the 4 chuffs per rev. I love the Niagara's, but not as much as Hudson's. Currently scouting for another Niagara, which will be MTH's version, just waiting a bit to see if I can find a better price for one.

Spotted on the inbound tracks at Harmon: Niagara 6025 just off the road, ……the Hostler on top of the engine has clearly found something that needs adjusting,….after coaling and a cool drink, it’s off to the wash rack and into the roundhouse for more servicing ( and fix whatever the Hostler has beat into submission) note in the background, the Empire State Express departs Northbound …..

Pat

Does this count?

NYC F3 pulling  early birds.

@harmonyards posted:

Spotted on the inbound tracks at Harmon: Niagara 6025 just off the road, ……the Hostler on top of the engine has clearly found something that needs adjusting,….after coaling and a cool drink, it’s off to the wash rack and into the roundhouse for more servicing ( and fix whatever the Hostler has beat into submission) note in the background, the Empire State Express departs Northbound …..

Pat

Pat, what happened? Did the road crews spread salt on the crossings when the snow was up? Man that engine is DIRTY! Seems like your wash crew has been slacking, haha. My wash crew are still in the box, and all the engines seem to be clean all the time. I don't know why that is(weathering, BAD!), haha.

Hey, have you ever converted an older Niagara back to an earlier one with the single headlight(is it single for the early runs)??

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Pat, what happened? Did the road crews spread salt on the crossings when the snow was up? Man that engine is DIRTY! Seems like your wash crew has been slacking, haha. My wash crew are still in the box, and all the engines seem to be clean all the time. I don't know why that is(weathering, BAD!), haha.

Hey, have you ever converted an older Niagara back to an earlier one with the single headlight(is it single for the early runs)??

Hey, have you ever converted an older Niagara back to an earlier one with the single headlight(is it single for the early runs)??

all Niagara’s started their lives with single sealed beams, they were all eventually converted to dual sealed beams ( not long before their untimely demise ) …..but to answer your question, sure, that’s a fairly simple request to accomplish….😉

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Hey, have you ever converted an older Niagara back to an earlier one with the single headlight(is it single for the early runs)??

all Niagara’s started their lives with single sealed beams, they were all eventually converted to dual sealed beams ( not long before their untimely demise ) …..but to answer your question, sure, that’s a fairly simple request to accomplish….😉

Pat

Ah Pat, I knew it would be. Maybe after I get things squared, I'll consider more dreams of conversions. I know I have a long laundry list to start with already, and if I do get a Niagara soon, that would just be the normal stuff. However, if I get a second one, then that would be a wind the clock back to a earlier road number and single sealed beam. I know when the VL ones were cataloged it didn't take me too long to decide on which. I had thought about a second and a single sealed beam would have been it. Considering how insane prices for VL's were to start, it was an easy "no" for trying to get another one before even gasping at the eBay prices that came out.

Like you told me, best bet is the MTH version, sold motor, good design.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Ah Pat, I knew it would be. Maybe after I get things squared, I'll consider more dreams of conversions. I know I have a long laundry list to start with already, and if I do get a Niagara soon, that would just be the normal stuff. However, if I get a second one, then that would be a wind the clock back to a earlier road number and single sealed beam. I know when the VL ones were cataloged it didn't take me too long to decide on which. I had thought about a second and a single sealed beam would have been it. Considering how insane prices for VL's were to start, it was an easy "no" for trying to get another one before even gasping at the eBay prices that came out.

Like you told me, best bet is the MTH version, sold motor, good design.

Yes, hands down the MTH Niagara ( mechanically speaking ) is literally built like a battle tank,……my opinion, and mine alone, the CCII Niagara that Lionel produced is the biggest bucket of bolts they ever let grace a catalog, …..now, when guys like Alex M, Pete, and now Lou, ( who’s a veteran of that misery now) take and upgrade those engines, they are good models, but when purchasing one, you have to take into account not only electronics upgrades, but also mechanical repairs,…..

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Yes, hands down the MTH Niagara ( mechanically speaking ) is literally built like a battle tank,……my opinion, and mine alone, the CCII Niagara that Lionel produced is the biggest bucket of bolts they ever let grace a catalog, …..now, when guys like Alex M, Pete, and now Lou, ( who’s a veteran of that misery now) take and upgrade those engines, they are good models, but when purchasing one, you have to take into account not only electronics upgrades, but also mechanical repairs,…..

Pat

Yeah, Alex did the good work on my CCII Niagara. Only thing that stayed the same was the sound that was in it. The market has quite a bit of them out there, mostly high prices. I think the cheapest(non-bid) was in the $600's. Some still list over $800 or more. Lowest bid I think I saw was around $300-400 which did go for quite a bit when I watched regularly. I haven't seen a bidding one in some time.

While the MTH Niagaras have a bullletproof drivetrain, the one weak item is the feedwater pump. Like Lionel’s cab apron, its diecast and not well supported. Its easily broken in handling. It can be repaired with one from Precision Scale though.

As for the single headlight, all the S1bs were built about the same time with the single headlight. No need to change the cab number when back dating them. You might want to change bell location though as that was changed when the horn was added.

Pete

Feed water heater tucked behind the drivers on the fireman's side?

Also, great advice Pete as usual.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Feed water heater tucked behind the drivers on the fireman's side?

Also, great advice Pete as usual.

Yes.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Yes.

Pete

Wow, I actually got something right on an engine that I only know a few scarce details on, like water, coal, engine, tender. I sort of wondered what that was on some other models, couldn't tell you what ones because I think some that I have seen don't have it modeled on the engine or in that place. Thanks Pete.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Wow, I actually got something right on an engine that I only know a few scarce details on, like water, coal, engine, tender. I sort of wondered what that was on some other models, couldn't tell you what ones because I think some that I have seen don't have it modeled on the engine or in that place. Thanks Pete.

Yeah, if you blow up the picture of my 6025, my water pump is broken off and missing in action too,…..Pete is correct, that pump is MTH’s Achilles heel….

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Yeah, if you blow up the picture of my 6025, my water pump is broken off and missing in action too,…..Pete is correct, that pump is MTH’s Achilles heel….

Pat

Pat, is that something that you're going to get to in the near future? One of those things on that short(or long) to do list.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Does this count?

Sure looks like it counts. I see the initials, what all else does it say on it?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Sure looks like it counts. I see the initials, what all else does it say on it?

This is a Dietz Vesta lantern and is noted on the top.  The other lettering not shown in the photo is various patent dates between 1920 and 1942.  There is no other lettering on it other than someone scratched "CPK" on it which I assume was its owner at one time?  Two NYC lanterns were in the last TCA Desert Division Auction.  The other one had a clear globe, but had "New York Central System" embossed in the glass.  I did not win that bid, but have always wanted a red lantern.  My dad collected them in the late 60's when they were very affordable, but he does not have a NYC one.  As a child, he used to light them in the evenings when we were sitting out on the porch.

@GG1 4877 posted:

This is a Dietz Vesta lantern and is noted on the top.  The other lettering not shown in the photo is various patent dates between 1920 and 1942.  There is no other lettering on it other than someone scratched "CPK" on it which I assume was its owner at one time?  Two NYC lanterns were in the last TCA Desert Division Auction.  The other one had a clear globe, but had "New York Central System" embossed in the glass.  I did not win that bid, but have always wanted a red lantern.  My dad collected them in the late 60's when they were very affordable, but he does not have a NYC one.  As a child, he used to light them in the evenings when we were sitting out on the porch.

It does have N.Y.C.S on it though. Cool story as well, thanks for sharing that.

@GG1 4877 posted:

This is a Dietz Vesta lantern and is noted on the top.  The other lettering not shown in the photo is various patent dates between 1920 and 1942.  There is no other lettering on it other than someone scratched "CPK" on it which I assume was its owner at one time?  Two NYC lanterns were in the last TCA Desert Division Auction.  The other one had a clear globe, but had "New York Central System" embossed in the glass.  I did not win that bid, but have always wanted a red lantern.  My dad collected them in the late 60's when they were very affordable, but he does not have a NYC one.  As a child, he used to light them in the evenings when we were sitting out on the porch.

There should be a faint serial number on it, as well.  Hopefully, starting with an "S", for Syracuse.

I'll grab a picture of mine when I get home...

Thanks!

- Mario

@CentralFan1976 posted:

There should be a faint serial number on it, as well.  Hopefully, starting with an "S", for Syracuse.

I'll grab a picture of mine when I get home...

Thanks!

- Mario

Mario - I missed that completely as it first looked like a date.  The serial number is S-3-42. 

Is this the correct location?

@GG1 4877 posted:

Mario - I missed that completely as it first looked like a date.  The serial number is S-3-42.

Is this the correct location?

You nailed it!

Here's mine...

Red NYCS and matching globe from 1945:

Clear NYCL and matching globe from 1932:

thanks!

- Mario

@CentralFan1976 posted:

You nailed it!

Here's mine...

thanks!

- Mario

Mario,

The education is very much appreciated!  I kind of wish I had made a stronger run at that second lantern now! 

This lovely arrived Thursday from Trainz. I managed to wait a bit and the price got further discounted so I jumped on it. It is the MTH New York Central Niagara #6025, that makes 3 Niagara's for me. In the listing, it said some "pitting" on the pilot, which I took a shot in the last photo. This will eventually be bound for an upgrade as I only run Legacy and not DCS. Eventually I would want at least 5 Niagaras to sort of catch up to some other New York Central engines, but that can wait a bit when the time is right.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

This lovely arrived Thursday from Trainz. I managed to wait a bit and the price got further discounted so I jumped on it. It is the MTH New York Central Niagara #6025, that makes 3 Niagara's for me. In the listing, it said some "pitting" on the pilot, which I took a shot in the last photo. This will eventually be bound for an upgrade as I only run Legacy and not DCS. Eventually I would want at least 5 Niagaras to sort of catch up to some other New York Central engines, but that can wait a bit when the time is right.

Dave, that’s just some minor paint rash,…,don’t let that sweat you for a second….I’ve seen a million like that ….just take a rag with a tiny bit of oil, and wipe down the bottom of that pilot truck and all will be well,…

Pat

Let's not forget this NYC Classic:

That's the Lionel NY Central Tugboat. Arnold

@harmonyards posted:

Dave, that’s just some minor paint rash,…,don’t let that sweat you for a second….I’ve seen a million like that ….just take a rag with a tiny bit of oil, and wipe down the bottom of that pilot truck and all will be well,…

Pat

Yeah, not sweating it at all. Very happy with this monster. When I took it out this morning, I just kept smiling. I know that the jets on the tender appear to be smaller than what is on the VL version, but figured that they had to be bigger to do the water scoop effect. Either way, another prized addition to my ever growing New York Central fleet.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Let's not forget this NYC Classic:

That's the Lionel NY Central Tugboat. Arnold

That’s cool Arnold!…I grew up on the Hudson, …..you sure got the color of the water correct!…..creepy green!….I love it !!….

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

That’s cool Arnold!…I grew up on the Hudson, …..you sure got the color of the water correct!…..creepy green!….I love it !!….

Pat

Pat, when I first saw that NY Central Tugboat at my LHS, I thought it was the most beautiful model railroad item I ever saw, told that to the LHS owner, and he wouldn't sell it to me, even for an exorbitant price!

Then, by some miracle, I saw it again on the table of a Big E vendor this past January, and he initially told me it's not for sale!  He had bought it from another vendor that morning and wanted it for his own collection. I was beside myself. LOL.

Well, I made him an offer he couldn't refuse because he had young children and needed the money. So, I finally got this Holy Grail of a tugboat. LOL, Arnold