Still waiting here in Roanoke.
Scott Smith

nothing here yet :-(

quote:

Originally posted by scott.smith:
Still waiting here in Roanoke.
Scott Smith

How are you getting that past your wife?

Jeff Davis

Based on what Andy said at York, I believe your dealers should be receiving them this coming week, give or take a few days.

What's a brute?

A person that does not like toy trains !

Whats a Brute?


Someone whom repeatedly plys us with puns about large locos.

Answer to "What's a Brute?"

The Brute is an articulated, 6-axle, super 318E, per the web site: http://www.lionelcorporation.c...el%20Locomotives.pdf

Perhaps one of those in the know would enlighten those of us uninitiated souls as to what this new "Brute" is that they are anticipating, evidently from MTH.

"Super 318E" YIKES!

Probably a typo, but I believe you meant 381E!

The MTH/Lionel collaboration (Lionel Corporation Tinplate) is reproducing what I believe is THE Standard Gauge Engine of the Century. The original Buddy L-size locomotive was a one-of-a-kind Lionel prototype assembled by La Precisa of Naples, Italy, a European sub-contractor for the Lionel Corporation in the 1920's & '30's, set up by Mario Caruso, Joshua Cowen's chief lieutenant.

MTH's reproduction of this monster with standard gauge motors and Proto 2.0 sounds and control is BRILLIANT marketing! I ordered the light state green version to match my six MTH state cars!

BTW, if someone wants to actually have some appropriate size cars to go with their Brute, I have some duplicate Buddy-L freight cars made by T-Reproductions available. They have 3.25" gauge trucks like the original Brute, but could probably be converted to Standard Gauge, or you could add motors to the 3.25" gauge Brute being offered by MTH.

"Super 318E" YIKES!

OOPS! Yes, my dyslexic fingers meant to type 381E. Thanks for the lowdown on the new Beast. I could find practically nothing on it on the internet. --- Bob

Bob:

Check out the Lionel Corporation Tinplate website or their latest catalog. The MTH website has links to both!

What part of North Carolina? My home is located in Western NC, near Robbinsville. We actually own an old depot, Bear Creek Junction, which was located on the now-defunct Graham County Railroad. The Shay #1925 from this operation has been restored by the Nortn Carolina Transportation Museum at Spenser, NC, though, for lack of funds, it currently is NOT under steam!

A little update from MTH's Facebook page:

MTH Electric Trains commented on your wall post:

"The Brutes" are in the house, one might say. I would image they will begin
shipping this week. A very timely question Mr. Kuffler. On a side note they
are big, I suggest having help unpacking if you get one."

Marc

Any word on what else is "in the house"?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by thecoinopcollector:
Marc

Any word on what else is "in the house"?

Thanks.

The Baby Blue Comets arrived with the Brutes and should also be at dealers this week.

Jeff Davis

I suppose I could rent a forklift....

I just wish they didn't use this as a vehicle to foist DCS on the tinplate community. I'm not buying ANY. tinplate with can motors.

I'm not sure there is any way around can motors and DCS. With the ballast the engine will need to pull a good size set of cars, you'll need can motors, I am not sure Bild-a-loco motors would cut the heft and the weight.

I've been hearing for years how Lionel decided not to build the Brute because kids couldn't handle such a large engine. I wonder if Lionel had the engineering ability around the time of the inception of the Brute to create an engine that was feasible of huge pulling power. It would have needed to carry itself and the weight of tinplate cars. I can tell you that the can motors and well balasted engines can pull extremely well. I've seen quite a few 381E's that have mediocre pulling power. My original 400E is a way better puller than an original 381E. My MTH 381E pulls all of the State cars with no problem.

Ah heck, they're both nice but I have to say I am looking forward to the Brute crushing my tracks around my layout. I was running my 408E this weekend and it threw a rim on the wheel and bent my Hellgate! So much for weight and power...

Marc

quote:

I just wish they didn't use this as a vehicle to foist DCS on the tinplate community. I'm not buying ANY. tinplate with can motors.

I don't think they're foisting DCS on anybody. The can-motors are simply a reliable, affordable, and maintenance-free way to go, and I've had no problems with them at all, in Standard Gauge or O gauge tinplate. And, thus far, I'm operating my tinplate layout in conventional, so DCS is not a requirement. I still get to enjoy most all of the significant features without it.

I agree with Allan and Marc. While there is a case for putting open frame motors and mechanical e-units in a locomotive that is an exact reproduction of an original, once you get away from that, why not go for something more advanced mechanically? I just bought an MTH repro of an Ives 3245 painted in more or less prototypical Hiawatha colors. As it happens, it had traditional-style mechanicals, but I'd actually have preferred a contemporary version with can motors and DCS. It's a scarce enough piece that I'm happy with it as is, but if it isn't exactly like the long-ago original, what's wrong with up-to-date guts? Remember, the original Brute didn't actually run, and it was intended for Buddy-L track. You've already gotten away from the original by changing the gauge; is that more "pure" than the can motor?

I would have preferred three BAL motors in the Brute, but you take what yo can get. BALs have been running reliably and maintained their ease of service for 80 odd years. Can motors dont have that track record. Secondly, I have yet to find a BAL that I couldn't get running with just a little work. Ive even rewound motor coils in less than an hour. I wouldn't even try that with a can motor.