This will probably be tantamount to heresy for some, but my personal least favorite is the 381E for several reasons:

Poor pulling ability with State Cars because of single motor.

Too "chunky" looking - not well-proportioned - the so-called "Super 381" was a better looking engine.

The MTH Proto-Drive versions are difficult to work on, and cannot be easily disassembled. Also, the fiberboard light contacts have a tendency to fall out of their headlight sockets due to the absence of a retaining bracket as found on the 408's.

My least favorite O gauge is Lionel's 251. Amazingly Lionel put basically the same wheelbase/motor in this as the much smaller 248. As a result, it tips a bit when you pull cars behind it and it has bad clearance on turns due to the overhang.

quote:

Originally posted by Tinplate Art:
This will probably be tantamount to heresy for some, but my personal least favorite is the 381E for several reasons...

Nothing heretical about it, Mr. Poole. My admiration of the 381 is connected to memories of my father - based much more on emotion than anything else. I disagree with you on the proportions, however: it's a nicely shaped locomotive to my eye. To each his own, I guess. I wasn't aware MTH made a 381 - how long ago was that?

Least favorite? The AF 3109, 3116 and 3117 all look pretty dorky.

Thanks!

I think I have to go with the Lionel 380.

It doesnt seem to fit in. Kind of looks like an ugly mutant of the 10E.

Hands down for O gauge is the flyer 1105. UGH!

For Std Ga..... the 8. New haven cab types are just a BOX.

Give me the NYC s-1 of Michigan central types any day.

Love the looks of the 381E but I never enjoyed operating it. The light connections you speak of are a pain. The lead weights inside are a hassle to work around upon disassembly. In fact, wrangling around the inside of it is a good way to get your hands cut. The pilot platforms chip too easy. I think it has a certain mystique in its looks that appeals to me but my love for it ends there. I prefer Flyer's Shasta loco for operating a St. Paul-style engine. The 408E is very operator/repair friendly for my tastes.

Anything from the O gauge Winner Lines. I've picked up a couple sets over the years, but they just don'w stand up to the rest of the collection, or runners on the layout. Other litho models seem quaint, but these just are just too cheap looking for me.

Tim