Which Blue Comet?

I guess I don't understand.  Is the blue comet delayed?  The other Pacifics are on the market and I saw that modeltrainstuff.com had several Blue Coments in stock (added this week) and listed.  So I thought they had been shipped.  i received my Southern Crescent (same page as the Blue Comet, basically a Southern version of the same loco) today:  I've posted a separate review of it. 

If you want a locomotive that resembles the prototype, stick with MTH.  As far as the cars go, neither MTH nor Lionel have cars like the prototype.

 

I would at least wait until the Lionel Blue Comet arrives and you have a chance to see how the "as delivered" version looks.  A previous thread indicated that Lionel wouldn't know what the model was going to actually look like until it arrived.  There have been at least three versions of the locomotive pictured: with feedwater heater and "Blue Comet" sign; without both heater and sign; and the one in the current on-line catalog appears to have the heater but not the sign.  You may also want to check out the tender.  

Lee,

The delay was in reference to the MTH Premier Blue Comet (2011 Volume2) which is now listed in the shipping list as "TBA".  I presume due to manufacturing issues.  I had ordered the MTH version before news of the Lionel Legacy Blue Comet came out.  I'm asking OGR members more knowledgable of MTH Premier vs Lionel Legacy than I whether I should just cancel the MTH order and go buy the Lionel Legacy version of the Blue Comet, which is in stock at LHS.  Price seems comparable.  I have mostly TMCC and Legacy locos now.

 

Saw your initial pic of the Crescent.  Nice.  The pics of the Crescent that have been posted are one of the reasons that I'm asking this question.  I like the looks of the Lionel engine.  I'll go check your review.

 

We split our time between Pennsylvania and the New Jersey shore so the BC has more of a connection for me, personally.

 

Thanks PG, I understand the Lionel Blue Comet is in stock at LHS so I'll check it out before deciding.

 

Ron

Here is Lionel's video on the new blue comet engine. I hope it helps

 

I have the 2001 TMCC version of this Blue Comet and was considering of upgrading to the new Legacy version.  In the video the smoke looks great as does the "smoking" whistle, however the actual whistle sound is VERY different from the 2001 version which had a very deep sound a bit like a steamship.  Does anyone have any idea which of the two is actually more accurate for this engine?

If you can live without the DCS, look @ Williams. I have several of their bullet nose steamers, bought from Mario'sTrains on the bay for under $300.00. They're good strong pullers and nicely detailed.

Does anyone have the previous MTH version of the Blue Comet and can you give us a comparison with what we've seen about the new Legacy unit?  Ideally, I'd like to go to the LHS and sit both side-by-side but that may not be possible.  I am a little worried that the Legacy will sell out or become hard to find before the MTH version even comes out.  

 

Beertrain, thanks.  In this "second" generation of model training for me, I'm really into command control.  Is the Williams TMCC?  If not, the Williams is prob a non-starter for me.  My grown sons now own all of my conventional trains, including my old Blue Comet!

 

Good input here for a newbie.  This forum is invaluable.  Video very helpful.  tx.

 

Ron, a new TCA member.

W is conv.

Hi,

 

I humbly offer the following three decision points.... use the one that means the most to you:

 

1. Prototype Accuracy - The MTH model is based on the CNJ prototype and includes the right style tender. The Lionel appears to be a USRA light Pacific with an Elesco feedwater heater and a short tender added. Paint and lettering on both could be more accurate. Both the MTH and Lionel cars are equally "wrong." Prototype choice: MTH

 

2. I Gotta Have It Now - Lionel looks to beat MTH to the street. Gotta have it choice: Lionel.

 

3. Religious War - Are you a purple box or orange/blue box? If so, no rational thought matters. Religious War Choice: whatever you and your therapist agree upon. 

 

Personally, I am waiting it out for MTH because prototype accuracy is my priority. I do hope someone (Weaver) considers doing the correct train given that we will now have at least two "scale" Blue Comet locos coming. And, of course, the passenger cars are correct for many other CNJ paint schemes as well as a ton of others as these classes of cars migrated all over the tourist train world.

 

Rob

Frankford Simple cancel the MTH and buy the Lionel Legacy BC, better sounds and it's here now. One other thing you will love the smoking whistle. JohnB

I just received the Lionel Legacy Blue Comet and its a beauty

My own opinion agrees with roberjohn davies except: I;m certain the MTH will have slightly better prototyical accuracy as you say, and better paint.   But I'm sure the Lionel will have better sound and features (whistle steam, etc.).  It depends what you want and the whole religion thing . . . 

 

If you think about it, it's not such a bad thing when this is the choice that any of us have with respect to the Blue Coment. We're fortunate, all of us . . . 

 

 

 

I think my next step is to go to my LHS and take a look at the Legacy Blue Comet.  Knowing me, I'll probably come home with it even though I really can't afford it right now and don't have a nice layout to run it on.  There's just something about those darn train shops!....  Thanks for all the input.

Ron

I own an MTH Premier Blue Comet from about 1990.  It is a fairly accurate model of a CNJ prototype.  The Lionel may be a beautiful model with lots of features it is a generic Pacific that has been painted blue.  The MTH engines have details specific to the CNJ including the distinctive Wooten firebox with the cab cut away to accomodate the larger size Wooten firebox.  Lionel doesn't have these features.  I would have to say that you could buy the Lionel if you have to have it now and you are not concerned about specific detail.  The Lionel has many more modern features than my old MTH and is a beautiful blue Pacific.  If you are concerned with realism then wait for the reissue of the MTH Blue Comet.     Odd-d

Just got the last Legacy Blue Comet my LHS had in stock.

NYC 428, Ohhhhh. Maybe I'll be waiting for the MTH anyway.

 

Odd-d, thanks for the comparison.   That's helpful information.

 

I guess I could adopt Lee's motto.  "I never met a model locomotive I didn't like".

 

Thanks, everyone.

Hey,

 

Did he say Multiple Unit Consist in that video?

 

I think Rich M is winning the battle :-) 

If you can live without the DCS, look @ Williams.

Just be aware that the Williams loco is a Hudson (4-6-4) and not a Pacific (4-6-2).  MTH's model is most accurate (an actual model of the CNJ G-3 locomotive), Willams is the least accurate, and Lionel is in the middle.  

I can give you a review of the MPC Blue Comet. Talk about scale accuracy. Hooahh! Actually, one of my favorite trains.

I still have my MPC set and still, really like it.

 

A proper Blue Comet should really be pulled by a 390E or 400E, IMHO!