Suggestions for inexpensive locomotive? (new or used)

Don't think you'll find anything under $100 without risk unless a forum member has an older one up for sale.

For new, simple, and relatively cheap steam without sound, I'd look at a WBB 4-6-0. Best conventional runner I've owned from the modern era. Had it upgraded to ERR command. Take a look at Marios, TrainWorld, or Western Depot. I think I saw an ad from TrainWorld with an ad for this engine in NYC for < $200 as part of a set break-up. Marios has the set in NYC with freight cars and UP with passenger cars for $279.

Williams (WbB) makes nice, entry level conventional locos. Well detailed with the features you are looking for. Look at anything from K-line too.

This forum or Trainz.com

Search results: 151 results for "steam" (trainz.com)

Have Fun!

Ron

Search on Williams. For sure you can diesels for under 100 bucks, steam may be a bit more.

Pete

At this point, Postwar Lionel often goes for less than $100.  Older Williams locomotives that are very robust often go for less than $100 as well.   Some of the basic K-Line locomotives are also good values such as the semi-scale Alcos based on the Kusan tooling.  Anything that is conventional and not true O scale will often be priced very well these days unless it is a rare item or in the case of Postwar, in the most pristine condition.

I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I have multiple locomotives I plan on selling for less than $100 each.  Not offering them for sale directly here, but once I get around to it, they will be on the buy-sell forum. 

There you go...🙂

Mark in Oregon

For right around $100 you can pick up one of the Lionel conventional control 0-6-0 docksiders, which are really well detailed and robust little locos.

If you camp out long enough, one can find one of the less expensive postwar Lionel diesels right around $100-150 dollers.  Usually a ratty or dirty GP, or if your lucky a single motor F3 powered unit.   If you save a bit more, you can find good solid 2343 Santa Fe F3's for the 225 to 300 price range and have a solid powerhouse of a diesel that will pull the house down.  I gave $185 for a pair of 2344 NYC F3's(with 2333 shells on them) at a show the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Had to be fully serviced before they would even move under power.  But that is simple work for myself and work that I enjoy.  The deals are out there, he had those F3's marked $250 and instantly dropped them to $185 the moment I showed interest at the last hour of the show.   AD

Our buddy Thomas is $100 brand new with sounds and a LionChief controller.  The one without Bluetooth is even cheaper.

The old K-Line Alco's and MP15's are easy to come by, pull great, for short trains, semi-scale stuff, and can be found on the bay for less than a hundred bucks. I have several of both types that I have had for years with no complaints. Best bang for the buck. Some of the Lionel stuff is about as good and have very similar mechanisms. I have a Lionel U36B that has dual motors that is comparable to the K-Lines in size, detail, price and pulling power. I had a Lionel RS-3 that had dual motors and was similar to the previously mentioned locos, but it was too light to be a good puller for my rolling stock. It was decent at pulling a few O-27 cars, not much more. A little weight may have helped, but there wasn't much room to add weight so I sold it.

A 2037 with whistle tender can be had for $100.00 or less.  I still have mine from 1957 and it still runs great with usual maintenance.  Check the bay.

Check the For Sale or Trade section of this Forum before "the bay".

You'll find some nice inexpensive engines for sale there

I agree on the 2037.  One of the most dependable engines Lionel made.  Comes with smoke and working whistle if you are lucky.  Normally in the $100 range.  Your 2046 is a small Hudson(4-6-4).  The Berkshire(2-8-4) was 736 if memory serves.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

Your 2046 is a small Hudson(4-6-4).

Yes, I stand corrected.

Lionelski,

I today agree with you, that it is always best to check the For Sale forum here before buying elsewhere.

Yet speaking as a low-end buyer, I rarely see any locomotives that are less than $250.   Many are $400 and up!   

I guess they're made of gold!    :-)

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Lionelski,

I today agree with you, that it is always best to check the For Sale forum here before buying elsewhere.

Yet speaking as a low-end buyer, I rarely see any locomotives that are less than $250.   Many are $400 and up!   

I guess they're made of gold!    :-)

Mannyrock

Exactly why I recommended looking on eBay and not the forum. Rarely is there a loco posted for sale here that is in the OP's price range.

@Mike D posted:

Exactly why I recommended looking on eBay and not the forum. Rarely is there a loco posted for sale here that is in the OP's price range.

I would respectively disagree.  I sell items on the forum for better prices than I would on eBay because I don't have the fees that eBay piles onto the sales price and the shipping.  While the locomotive I have sold to date have not been in the OP's price range they would have gone for much more than I posted here on eBay to cover my costs.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I would respectively disagree.  I sell items on the forum for better prices than I would on eBay because I don't have the fees that eBay piles onto the sales price and the shipping.  While the locomotive I have sold to date have not been in the OP's price range they would have gone for much more than I posted here on eBay to cover my costs.

I understand what you are saying, however, in regards to this post, it is irrelevant. If you are selling $1000 locos for half price, you are still $400 higher than the OP wants to spend. If he were looking for something else in a higher price range I would most certainly suggest checking the Buy/Sell first. There are plenty of locos for $250.00 and up. IMO he will not find anything in his price range on the forum and will be wasting his time. I look for items here on occasion and I can't recall the last time I came across a decent, running loco that was listed for less than a hundred bucks.

I feel like we have hijacked this thread with a debate on an unrelated topic. Maybe a new topic is in order if you wish to discuss it further.

@Mike D posted:

I understand what you are saying, however, in regards to this post, it is irrelevant. If you are selling $1000 locos for half price, you are still $400 higher than the OP wants to spend. If he were looking for something else in a higher price range I would most certainly suggest checking the Buy/Sell first. There are plenty of locos for $250.00 and up. IMO he will not find anything in his price range on the forum and will be wasting his time. I look for items here on occasion and I can't recall the last time I came across a decent, running loco that was listed for less than a hundred bucks.

I feel like we have hijacked this thread with a debate on an unrelated topic. Maybe a new topic is in order if you wish to discuss it further.

I would suggest you read the whole thread.  I have several locomotives that will be listed for under $100.  I just need to get them out and photograph them prior to offering them for sale.