Shortest Lionel Legacy diesel engine

The new catalog had SW1s. That’s probably as small as you’ll find.

They have made S2 Alcos a number of times. The SW1s will have the same drivetrain as these.

Pete

I have a legacy SW2 that runs well on 031 curves. I have another one that also runs well.thru 031 curves, except that for some bizarre reason, the front truck of the freight car immediately behind the engine often derails.

I would think you would be fine running a Legacy SW2 through 042 curves.

Never gave thought to a switcher.

I see the GP-7's are a tad shorter.

I'll check these or just sit and wait for new catalog to come out.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I have a legacy SW2 that runs well on 031 curves. I have another one that also runs well.thru 031 curves, except that for some bizarre reason, the front truck of the freight car immediately behind the engine often derails.

A common enough problem, generally caused by the rear coupler on your engine - you may want to start a separate thread on that issue?

RJ:  I have a Lionel Legacy GP30 I found on eBay awhile back that is perfect for my layout, because I have only 036 curves. I'm sure your 042s would. be no problem.

GP 30, GP9, GP7, SW8, SW9 and SW1 should all work for you.  0-42 isn't that small. 0-42 should accommodate most of their engines.  The issue you have is over-hang in the curves.

John

1. R J Shier - In answer to your question “Does Lionel make a shorter Legacy diesel?” You should note that Lionel’s iconic Cab units such as F3s, F7s and F9s would also run smoothly on 042 curves without any problems.  😘

@RJ Shier posted:

I've been entertaining the thought of getting one of the Lionel Legacy GP30's. I need an engine that can run on 042 curves.

Does Lionel make a shorter Legacy diesel?

Any chance Lionel will come out with new paint schemes for the GP30?

Actually, I believe a majority of the diesels run on O42, it's the steam that usually wants larger curves.  Obviously, there are some diesels that are specified for larger curves.

I have one of the Lionel Reading & Northern GP30’s from last year. It’s a very nice engine and, according to Lionel’s website, it will run on O36 curves (unfortunately, my minimum curve is O72, so I can’t verify that).

Wow ... within 15 minutes this thread had tons of views and replies. Love this forum. I know I was kinda generic on my question. Thanks again for those that have replied.

Vern that is a sharp engine.

jbmccormick that helps - thank you

PH1975 leaning toward the GP models but I'll entertain looking at the f3's,7's and 9's

Apple55 that's the exact model I've been looking at. Of course my wife says it looks like a John Deere!

@RJ Shier posted:

Wow ... within 15 minutes this thread had tons of views and replies. Love this forum. I know I was kinda generic on my question. Thanks again for those that have replied.

Vern that is a sharp engine.

jbmccormick that helps - thank you

PH1975 leaning toward the GP models but I'll entertain looking at the f3's,7's and 9's

Apple55 that's the exact model I've been looking at. Of course my wife says it looks like a John Deere!

Thank you, RJ. As a footnote, When I built my layout over 10 years ago, I didn't have the foresight to use curves wider than 036. So as time went on, I was unable to purchase the longer engines that required broader curves. So for diesels, I've stuck with the Geeps for freight and F3s, F7s, and ALCO Fs for passenger trains. I also have to use the shorter 15" passenger cars, but I don't mind.

For steam engines, nothing longer than a Berkshire (stock Polar Express). However, I have an 036 S-curve coming out of a tunnel on my layout and these shorter engines have done fine on it with no derailments. With the higher and spiraling costs of those longer engines, I'm happy with what I have.

Again, your 042 curves would be no problem for these types of engines.

I have this Legacy GP7 Rio Grande. It's listed at 14.25 " and rated for O-31 curves. I run it on my O-36 layout and it has no issues with curves or switches and is one of my better runners.

I have 042 curves on my layout and have had no problems running 4 axle diesels from any manufacturer.  Heck, I even run a Legacy U33C and an SD45, which is rated for 054 curves, with no problems.  The big six axle units look goofy going through the curves, but have no problems staying on the track.

Tom

I've been running a Lionel NS C44-9W #1933630 on my inner loop. Which has the 042 curves. It just doesn't look right. I was going to sell the engine when I found a replacement. Now wondering if I should hold on to it? It doesn't come up for sale to often. Is it a rare item?

On another note. I am now leaning toward preorder of a RS-27. I know ... certainly undecisive! Just ask my wife. Same reason why my RR is called CDNF - Can't Decide Never Finished   

It's only TMCC, but I'm pretty sure this will run on your curves.

The H-16-44's may be a little shorter than the GP7,9,30,35's.

The H-16-44 prototype length was 51 feet vs the 55 feet for the Geeps.

But the afore mentioned NW and SW switchers are probably the shortest.

Yep, this little SW7 is pretty small.  It's not the world's strongest puller, but it's a switcher, after all.   12.5" long and does O31 curves.

Full Legacy in nice small package:

https://metca.org/store.html

Stu

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I have another one that also runs well.thru 031 curves, except that for some bizarre reason, the front truck of the freight car immediately behind the engine often derails.

Coupler swivel? What engine? What cars?

@RJ Shier posted:

Never gave thought to a switcher.

I see the GP-7's are a tad shorter.

I'll check these or just sit and wait for new catalog to come out.

The Geep size locos have two motors, one over each truck if I recall correctly.

Believe the switchers have 1 motor and a driveshaft going between the trucks.

Not sure if you were aware of that.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's only TMCC, but I'm pretty sure this will run on your curves.

Ha ha ha ha ha!!

@BobbyD posted:

The Geep size locos have two motors, one over each truck if I recall correctly.

Believe the switchers have 1 motor and a driveshaft going between the trucks.

Not sure if you were aware of that.

I wasn't aware of this. Thanks for the info

gunrunnerjohn that'd fit for sure! Not sure it would pull a long enough consist for me though!

Stu I looked twice at that 801 offering.

I ended up preordering a RS-27. They're just under 15 inches in length. Oh and went with GBW livery.