NYC Subway

If you go steam, I would say a NYC 4-6-0 ten wheeler, Lionel made a very nice one. Also, think about early 20th century electric NYC S-motor (again Lionel) VERY COOL.

I don't know if MTH has made an early subway, most likely it would be elevated.

Great Northern 17 posted:

 

The alternative would be to go the subway route. After looking online, I was surprised to see MTH makes quite a few subway sets. Here are my questions:

- In early 20th century NYC, would you be seeing more subways or Steam?

- If subways, can anyone provide some insight on which set I should target on acquiring.

 

 

In NYC proper,  rapid-transit and freight RR operations did not overlap. You saw one or the other. Visible trains above the surface would be elevated trains like these Q-types :

Now if you want to stretch reality a bit, you can have period subway trains on your layout with or without elevated trackage (in reality the steel-bodied subway cars were too heavy for the elevated lines designed when wood was the preferred construction for early elevated trains). Typical would be these Lo-V cars:

From your post it sounds like you're just assembling a static display. If it is an operating layout, then either of these will also operate through the sharp cirves often found on entry-level layouts.

---PCJ

Great feedback, thanks! 

MTH subway sets that would fit with your time span would be the IRT low V;s , released several times for different lines and the BMT standards. In the prototype both of these car styles were operational about 1816 when new.

I would agree with the NYC 10 wheeler recommended above. The NYCentral J 1 Hudsons first appeared in 1927 on the railroad.

My vote would be for the MTH q type subway cars or the Lionel S2. Have fun.

Don’t forget the MTH R-1 s. THese are exquisite sets with lots of detailing and are also very appropriate for the timeframe you are modeling. 

Thanks guys. Just to confirm, the below would be the appropriate set?

https://mthtrains.com/30-20395-1 

and the with add-on:

https://mthtrains.com/30-20395-3 

Great Northern 17 posted:

Thanks guys. Just to confirm, the below would be the appropriate set?

https://mthtrains.com/30-20395-1 

and the with add-on:

https://mthtrains.com/30-20395-3 

Perfect for your needs.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I was able to secure the most recent LO-V Subway Sets (Item number & link below.

 MTH 30-20580 | https://mthtrains.com/30-20580-1 

In the overview, it mentions you are able to program / select station stops. Is this something I have do on the computer, or can I do it directly on the DCS remote?

This is my first subway set, so not sure if there are different controls / sequences I need to be mindful of when compared to other engines. Oddly enough, the manual does not provide any guidance on this. 

Great Northern 17 posted:

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I was able to secure the most recent LO-V Subway Sets 

Glad to hear that.