Modern, hands down. I was staunchly a conventical operations guys until about `2015 when I finally caved and got the legacy system. No way can I go back. Especially now with the newest 5 horns/bells to select from. Anything prior to 2009 is a no from me. I also always look for the kinematic pilots for more realism
You didn't mention a track system offered by Lionel between 1957 through 1966: Super O. It can be a bit quirky; however it has the best electrical conductivity of all track systems. The curvature is 036 which after 1958 was the widest curvature available for many years to come. It's certainly superior to fastrack and better looking than tubular.
Good job! The postwar metal trucks came in bar end and staple end varieties. If you lightly oil the wheel at the axle, they run as well as any of the new trucks. The late postwar era went to plastic trucks but the metal ones, being heavier track better. The dies on the box cars were modified over time and the rivet lines were eliminated to make more room for graphics the same is true on the 81/2” cars as well. Those later cars may possibly be the same modified postwar molds. The earlier 6462 gondolas had a separately applied brake wheel these were eliminated after the first year or so of production to reduce costs, they also did this with the 6456 hoppers. also the earlier gondolas had a metal frame under the plastic bodies where the trucks were mounted. The modern logos are awesome but very expensive. I love my postwar locos. And some if the newer ones with the sound. Thanks for a great video.
Very nice! I run almost exclusively post-war and MPC, with a few modern cars and an MTH Rail King locomotive. I've never had a problem with a Pullmor motor and all of my post-war engines from 1950-53 still run quite well. A little lube and new brushes is about all that they need. Post-war trucks are stout, but don't roll worth a damn. The needlepoint-bearing trucks that were introduced during the MPC era are excellent. I've pulled 45 cars of the MPC era, along with newer Lionel, K-Line and Williams, with one locomotive. My post-war cars are bricks, as far as trucks go. I tried pulling ten tank cars and they actually can string-line on a curve. The detailing on the newer equipment is very good, for sure. I wish, though, that they had metal couplers and side tabs, rather than the thumbtack tabs on the bottom. An excellent video, as always.
Postwar metal trucks roll just fine. The thing is, that old metal gets sticky with age, and the old lubricants become a problem. Plus there is an electolytic reaction between the rail and the sintered iron wheel resulting in a thick, rubbery gunk buildup on the wheel. I use a liquid contact cleaner, De-Ox-Id, applied with a q-tip, it cuts through the gunk. Take the entire truck apart, clean the metal, use a paper stick q-tip, when it's used up, cut off the cotton end, run the paper stick through the wheel centers. Apply oil to the wheel centers before attaching them to the axle. A dab of oil in the sideframe axle socket, and those are some very freerolling trucks. Ever seen an early postwar all metal boxcar coast 30 feet after being given a push? It's awesome.
@colestrains1 I think it depends, me personally, I don't find it super appealing, I much prefer postwar engines fitted with original tech, but that's just me, for modern tech in postwar engines, I recommend modern reissue such as the century club line
@@davidstrainsandlego fair enough, I only say my 681 because it’s already been repainted rewired and converted to liquid smoker before I got it. Thanks David!
I hope that in 40 years time, you still have all of these trains. I can promise you that parts will be available for the postwar and mpc era trains without electronics. Those nice quiet DC can motors, good luck finding replacements. I have many mpc era freight cars and most of them have die cast sprung trucks. I agree with you that their plastic couplers suck.
What a superb presentation. Unsensationalised, you've just presented the catalogues and their content just as they are. And double kudos as you've actually placed Lionel in its context of the time, that being unlike some, you've presented Lionel as it did take time to become established. It did take time to develop as a major player. Just a thoroughly watchable, knowledgeable video. Very Well done. Just to add a minor fyi: the meaning of the term (word) "standard" has actually shifted over the years, from being having a generalised definition of being the epitome of a product or service (PRR and Cadillac both being "standard of the world" as well as Lionel), by the mid-fifties the word had settled down to defining a rather more mundane "being the same as or of a universal nature" so when Lionel advertised their "standard gauge" it was more in the context of the product being of an exemplary nature, rather than being as the more modern definition of being suited for universal design, hence the fact that the 2 1/8" track was unique to Lionel wasn't actually relevant to the name. A British car manufacturer began life as "standard", however by the mid fifties the brand name had become so diluted it had now the name of the mediocre, standard being beneath the new deluxe etc. Standard motorcars became Triumph in 1959.
