There is just no substitute for the pulling power of post-war Lionel diesel locomotives. Equipped with the highly touted "Magnetraction" Lionel diesels, particularly the General Motors EMD F3s, were the strongmen of the day. And as far as appearance went, these AA sets were a magnificent sight on any layout.

The post-war F3s first appeared in a Lionel catalog in 1949. As noted above these impressive units carried a price tag consistent with their quality and heft - $67.50 in 1949 dollars for an AA set with five freight cars. These sets featured diesel horns, dual motored power and a size previously unseen in Lionel Trains of the era. The very first F3 diesels did not feature magnetraction and there are a few features which changed from the original 2333 and 2334, when improved versions - the 2343 and 2344 appeared in 1950. These second issues are the F3s you will find working on the Lionel Lines.

I vaguely recall the New York Central F3s when they first showed up at our house one Christmas in the early fifties. The model I have was made from 1952-54. I have some old video of these, and it looks to me like I was probably around four. My Dad might have bought these from someone. Our layout followed the story line for O-Gauge layouts on a single 4x8 sheet. If you were going to be running two trains - you had one on trestles. The elevated loop was the exclusive territory of the magnetraction diesels. They could fly around on the elevated tracks with no fear of derailing, and they ran silky smooth. They had this great blasting horn, and if she knew how, I am certain my mother would have disconnected it. Today the horn sounds not quite as impressive as it did back then, but the world was different, and we weren't quite as spoiled by technology as we are today.

After restarting in the hobby a few years ago, I was surprised to find how well these old diesels ran. They let out an angry growl as they gobble up the scale miles of track before them. My Dad's advice about taking care of the trains and boxes rang true, as other than being missing the clear porthole lenses, they are in fine shape. I can't say the same for a pair of Union Pacific diesels my Dad picked up from a neighbor. They were scratched and scuffed and there was barely anything left of the UP logos across the nose. They were pretty much beyond salvaging and I ended up trading them for the Jersey Central switcher and some cash.

Like all of my diesels, the Jersey Central has magnetraction. It has that same blaring horn, but is a single engine model.

For no other reasons than the northeastern roots and the vibrant color scheme, I picked up the New Haven EP5 on ebay. This is such a fine running engine - it is so smooth and nearly silent. The EP5, despite the fact there is no overhead electric on the Lionel Lines, quietly glides around the layout.

While the Santa Fe probably never ran the routes of the "tri-state" area, I bought it as part of a small collection a while back. I toyed with the idea of selling it, but truth be told, it just looks too cool not to have. Other than missing the porthole lenses, it is in pretty fine shape, and it is a great runner. The silver finish with the war bonnet paint scheme really adds visual interest and color to the Lionel Lines.

There are a couple of additional diesels I would like to acquire for the Lionel Lines - mostly in New Haven and Boston & Maine paint schemes. Check back too see if these make their way to the Lionel Lines.