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While I am a steam engine operator, I can't help but to like the smaller diesel switcher engines, probably because I grew up with a small Marx diesel switcher engine, which operated dependably every Christmas. I've noticed that MTH makes smaller engines, NW-2, SW-1, SW1500, and S-2 for example, both in their Premier and Railking Lines, both I believe are 1:48 scale. Other than Premier units having a smoke unit, are there any other benefits of a Premier Line diesel? Since MTH is going out of business, perhaps I should be looking for small diesels in Lionel's Legacy line, although most Legacy diesels seem to be the large more modern type.

Last edited by Paul Kallus
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Railking has smoke, unless the engine is too small to fit the smoke unit.  Premier are more detailed - grab irons, walkway tread, see through screens. Many of the Railking diesels were former 1st generation Premier locos. The switchers you mention have scale dimensions.

There's some early Railking engines which had terrible proportions: SD60M, SD45, Dash8

The Railing SW1500 assuredly does have a correct scale width hood (6 ft). The prototype's hood is 12 ft 6 ⅝ inches tall from the railhead. The model's hood scales 12ft 10 inches tall from the railhead so just 3 ⅜ inches off. The height of the prototype's hood from the walkway is 7 ft 2 inches and that of the model is 7 ft 5 inches so again, just 3 [scale] inches off. 3 scale inches at 1:48 = 1/16 inch (actual). Close enough to scale dimensions for my 70yr old eyes.

The MTH PS3 SW1500 is my favorite model locomotive.

Incidentally, the prototype EMD NW2 had a 7 ft width hood as did all EMD end-cab switchers until the release of the SW1500. The iconic Lionel NW2 has a hood width of (scale) 7 ft 8 inches.

Everyone: is it my observation that Railking diesels are head and shoulders above Lionel's various LionChief line diesels in terms of details, variety, and sounds? Granted, I've only been looking on-line at homemade videos on Youtube. It seems the prices of both companies diesels are comparable?

If my rather limited review is accurate, O-gauge is losing a really nice line of trains.

Last edited by Paul Kallus

Paul, you just can't unilaterally say.  You might be able to say RailKing diesel sounds are better across the board.  Detail is a little more case by case in my experience.

I have a RailKing RS-1 which is one of my favorite engines in terms of detail and I own MTH, Legacy, and 3rd Rail.  By comparison, a very similar engine, the RailKing RS-3, is a massive step down.  It does have smoke but no crew figures (not even a cab interior) and a fraction of the separately applied details that the RS-1 has.

As Mike says you have to take them on a case by case basis. For a few prototypes like the SW1 MTH is the only option. It may not have scale dimensions but then most don't. I believe only the Weaver RS3 is scale. The rest of the RS3s, MTH and Lionel, are too wide or maybe the cab is too long to accomodate the motor.

Pete

When I didn’t have too many engines and was building my roster, I went strictly Railking.  Now that I do have too many engines, I lean more towards Premier.

In some cases, the difference in price between Railking and Premier is easy to justify.  The Alco PA1 is one example.  In other cases, the difference in price may not be worth it to everyone.

It’s easy to tell which Railking engines are scale.  The catalog describes them as Railking Scale and the website feature list says 1:48 scale proportions.  As has been said, some current Railking engines were once Premier.

The RS3 does not have crew figures because there is not enough room for them due to the motor cover.  Some RS3s have smoke, others don’t.  If an engine has smoke or crew figures, it will generally be included in the catalog and website feature list.

In my observation, MTH engines are priced about 20%-30% less than a comparable Lionel engine.

If you want a really neat little switcher, check out the MTH 44 Tonner.

And yes, we are losing a really nice line of trains.

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