Budget-Friendly Lionel Steamers - From Postwar To Modern

Today's O-Gage steam locomotives can be mighty impressive in their details, sounds, and effects. But they also come with a mighty impressive price tag. What options do hobbyists on a budget have for adding to their steam locomotive rosters? Hello again, this is Mike with another episode of Toy Train Tips and Tricks. There are many smooth operating, reliable steam locomotives available on the secondary market The criteria I'm using for this video are... I'm focusing on Lionel Trains products only for the purpose of this video. No Barks, no Caneline, no other manufacturers. That's for another video. The items can generally be found in good to excellent condition for $150 or less. The items have reputations as good pullers. At least 8 to 10 modern cars on straight level track. The items have reputations for reliable, low maintenance operation. And the items are generally easy to maintain and repair. Bargains might also be found among steamers not on this list. The occasional gem sometimes falls through the cracks and sells for a ridiculously low price. But these items are generally available in our price range. So, let's start with 8-wheel steamers. The 284. For more than 20 years, Lionel's small 284 Berkshire steamer has been a staple in the firm's Polar Express and other premium starter sets. While more recent editions will be more expensive, featuring Lion Chief Control and other features, older versions with conventional control will turn up in our price range. The most common versions are Polar Express, of course, but other road names are also available. With smooth running can motors, excellent side rod detail, smoke, and sound, these steamers will make a great addition to any layout with 031 and larger curves. The 080. A contemporary with Lionel's small Berkshire, the 080 steam switcher has also been commonly available for more than 20 years. Like the Berkshire, newer models with Lion Chief Control will be more expensive, but older, conventional control versions are commonly available in the $100 range, give or take. Some models have more side rod detail than others and will be priced accordingly. Like the Berkshire, these models are slightly smaller than true O scale, but they are proportioned to look good with traditional Lionel rolling stock. The most common version is Union Pacific No. 4500, but Pennsylvania and other road names have also been produced. With smooth running can motors, excellent detail for the price, smoke, and digital whistles, these little steamers look great on any Lionel layout. 464. Next is the classic 464 Hudson. Unfortunately, you're very unlikely to find a Lionel 700E or any other variation of the scale Hudson in the price range we're looking at for this video. Likewise, the post-war No. 2046, 2056, 646, and the many MPC-era derivatives of the medium-sized Hudson are usually priced just beyond the price range in good condition. But never fear! If you need a budget Lionel 464 steamer, the post-war No. 2055, 2065, 665, and 685 BB Hudson can often be found for under $150. These smaller 027 Hudsons are loosely based on a Santa Fe prototype. They feature a minimalist valve gear and details, but feature smoke, magnetraction, and whistling tenders, and they look good with traditional size and smaller 027 rolling stock. They are solid runners, good pullers, and their single-piece shell design makes opening them up for maintenance a breeze. 264. While the 264 Adriatic steamers were unusual in the real world, they were ubiquitous in the Lionel lines. Budget Lionel models of this wheel arrangement fall into three basic categories. The No. 221 New York Central Dreyfus-inspired streamliners, the Pennsylvania K4-inspired No. 2035 series derived from earlier 262 models, and the freelance No. 2036 series, also based on earlier 262 designs. The 221 steamers were only offered in 1946 and 1947 and come in black or gray. Because of their similarities to New York Central streamlined Hudson steamers, these models are popular for their looks more than their features. They lack smoke and magnetraction, and some models lack whistling tenders. They are not great pullers, especially with a heavy whistling tender in tow, but they score well on the pute scale. The 2035 is often found at the top of our price range. It has great visual appeal, especially for fans of the classic Penzey K4, and with smoke, magnetraction, a whistling tender, and a good level of detail, the 2035 scores well on both looks and operation. The steamer was recently reintroduced in the 2024 Lionel catalog, and there was also a DC-only New Haven variant that was available in 1980. The 2036 series is a freelance design that uses the basic motor design as most of the 262 and 264 steamers and the baby Hudsons. The series features several look-alike variants with different operating features. For operators, the number 2029 is the least desirable, with a basic valve gear, only a two-direction reverse, and no magnetraction. It did, however, feature smoke and sometimes a whistle. The 637 2016 and 2018 were also basic models, even lacking smoke in the 2016, but with a three-position reverse and sometimes a whistle. The number 2037 is the best of the series, with greater valve gear details, smoke, magnetraction, three-position reverse, and a whistling tender. Beware of the number 2026. There is a 262 version with nickel-rimmed drivers that is okay. The 264 version with all-black wheels features a redesigned center driver that was supposed to create better traction, but tended to cause derailments on curves and switches instead. 262 Lionel's 262 steamers were a carryover from the pre-war period. The number 224, 1666, and the original number 2026 are highly desired for their great details. Many of these parts shared with the pre-war scale Hudson's, and they also have balanced looks and smooth operation. These models usually appear near the top of our designated price range. And don't confuse the Lionel number 1666 with the Mark's number 1666. They are very different models. 4-4-2. Early in the 1970s, Lionel redesigned the tooling for the number 2037 series and created a 4-4-2 model. These models were a mid-range steamer for the early MPC era, even serving as the power for passenger sets like the Milwaukee Limited, the Broadway Limited, and the Capital Limited. 4-4-2 production has continued to this day, and most versions feature die-cast spoilers, smoke, and traction tires. Some have more or less side rod detail, two- or three-position reverse, and possible whistle and even electronic mighty sound of steam sounds. Models made since the 1990s feature can motors and electronic reverse, and some even feature lion-chief control, although these are usually out of our designated price range. There is also a DC-only chassis system version from 1980. Overall, Lionel's 4-4-2s are good pullers and they work on any 0 or 027 gauge layout. 2-4-2. Lionel's selection of 2-4-2s comes down to two types, one you want and one you don't. The first design traces its lineage back to the pre-war period, and with many tweaks along the way, can still be found in production today. The earliest pre-war examples came with premium details, and the earliest post-war version, the number 1654, kept most of these, along with a three-position reverse unit and sometimes a whistle. The design was quickly pressed into service as a replacement for the failed number 1001 Scout 2-4-2, the type you don't want, in 1948, and variations of this steamer continue through the post-war era, through the MPC era, and on to today. Variations can come with die-cast or plastic boilers and with or without smoke or magnetraction, with two or three position e-units or electronic reverse, or even lion-chief control. Some have whistles, some have the mighty electronic sound of steam, and even some have modern sounds. Personally, I shy away from those made in the 1940s and 1950s with the Scout-type plastic motor, which can be identified by the plastic switch mounted in parallel with the boiler. These motors are louder than the traditional types, the reverse units are less reliable, and when it comes time to change brushes, it is far more complicated than on those with a standard metal-framed motor. Otherwise, all of these models are smooth runners for the price, and those with traction tires can easily pull 10 to 12 car trains on straight and level track. On the other hand, the number 1001 Scout 2-4-2 and its descendants should be avoided. They are exceptionally light and are poor pullers. They can also be found as 2-4-0 and 0-4-0 variants in the post-war MPC and even the modern era. Some even lack reverse capability or have a manual reverse mechanism. They are all inexpensive, usually less than $30, but you get what you pay for with these. Lido also made several varieties of 2-4-0 locomotives. Most are to be avoided due to all-plastic construction and poor pulling ability. The exception is the oddball number 8310 Stever from the MPC era. Available in Jersey Central or Pennsylvania versions, these unique models are essentially stretched 0-4-0 switchers. They feature near-scale proportions and die-cast boilers. While they lack smoke and other premium features, they look nice, pull well, and run smoothly. Also, they're somewhat unknown, so there is very little collector value to them, keeping prices low. 0-4-0 The best deal in 0-4-0 switchers are the 1600 series die-cast switchers and their descendants. Derived from pre-war scale Pennsylvania B6 class 0-6-0 steamers, these little steamers kept nearly all of their details throughout their run. The No. 1665 of 1946 is the most desirable, having the most details, a remote front coupler, and improved electrical connections. The least desirable of the post-war models, the No. 1625 of 1958, is still a decently detailed and solid running model. The model was reissued several times in the modern era with various details and features. The post-war versions are usually the cheapest and fit best into our suggested budget. As for other models, you might find a Lionel steamer such as a 671 Turbine or a 2046 Hudson in our $150 and under price range, but these are the exceptions, not the rule. With few exceptions, our budget steamers in this video were made in large quantities with many variations over the years and so they are easy to find online, at shows, and at dealers who work with used trains. I hope you find this video helpful in your quest to add new steam locomotives to your roster without breaking the budget. Check the video description for links to other videos for budget diesels and other related topics. And as always, I hope you enjoyed watching this video as much as I enjoyed making it and if so, please like it, subscribe, share with your friends and neighbors, and let me know in the comments if I forgot your favorite budget steamer. Just remember the criteria of the video for your comments. Be sure to keep the trains running and we'll catch you next time with more toy train tips and tricks.