20th Century Limited Train - Old School Version!

Video of my Lionel 20th Century Limited Passenger set.
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[@redengine01]

I find myself really impressed with the 2000-2007 era of TMCC, the sounds are just fine for me, the road and number specific crew talk is awesome, and they’re very accessible price-wise on the used market.

[@DJHProductions]

Can’t stand the 2 chuffs though, 4 chuffs are so much better!

[@seanstraindepot]

Thats why for 35.00 I can add the Chuff Generator and change it to any chuff rate I want. I guess you missed the end of the video.

[@DJHProductions]

I skimmed ahead, saw it on the full video. I agree that the older one is superior, Lionel is colorblind and show no sign of stopping. What is amazing is everything is too light. I can only think of one situation where something was too dark. Everything else is just to light. It's a shame, maybe we have to spend 10,000's on a engine in order for that to be painted correctly because apparently 1,000- 2,000 price range is not sufficient. @@seanstraindepot

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

I completely agree with you. I prefer the smaller passenger cars as well. I don’t like the 21” cars. I have a set of MTH UP 21” passenger cars and I hate them. Great video, fantastic set!

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah 18" are my favorite, but even 15" look great.

[@timmytarsh7713]

mth does not make 21" cars, they must be Lionel or Kline

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Thank you, they are MTH, must be 18 inch. They are way too big for my layout.

[@RixArtWorks]

Great set, Sean. Those 15” cars seem larger. They really look good. Would love to see a video tutorial on the smoke unit upgrade.

[@railchief74]

I’ve said it once before and I’ll say it again. As Nice as The New 20th Century Limited is. It just doesn’t compare to the original 2001 Dreyfus Hudson. Excellent work Sean 🚂

[@angelgabriella7974]

Sean, the videos keep getting better. Awesome set. A few years ago I acquired a 1942 lionel NYC "Dreyfus" I love that little engine. Great video, Thank you.

[@RixTrax]

I have two TMCC locomotives from 2002. The Lionmaster NYC Hudson and the Pennsylvania T-1 duplex. I have had the Hudson converted to super chuffer smoke and chuff. It’s a must-have. I’m looking forward on your how to video as I may try it myself on the T-1.

[@johnfleming2870]

Looking forward to the Super Chuffer install. Your videos are very well made. Thanks

[@garys0scale525]

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. Nice set love the colors!

[@user-go9om2ix5g]

Great video as always. I have the engine and sound diner car which I added MTH end of car diaphragms to the diner car. MTH has these parts in stock. I purchased the MTH 18 inch passenger cars for this engine the cars are very very close in color to the Lionel engine color and cars. MTH rpo 20-68094, full vista 20-67094, 5 car set 20-65094 and 2 car slip/diner 20-66094. I prefer 18 inch cars. Since the 20th century ran 2 diner cars the Lionel car was a great match especially with diaphragms added to the car. I plan on calling Hemings trains for the upgrade kits so spoke of in your video. Will be watching for your upgrade video.

[@mjdh53]

Excellent review!! What a pleasure to see an earlier set version reviewed. Maybe we should all reconsider our future choices and put some focus on the earlier pieces when more attention to detail was the norm.......

[@jbird845]

Beautiful 😍 can't wait for the installation of the smoke unit. Was always curious about the function..

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice video. They took a combo baggage car and slapped on the RPO designation and added coach seats, which isn't prototypical. Since there were no coach seats on the Century, it would be nice to upgrade all of the interiors to sections and rooms and make the RPO a full mail car, with Post Office employees sorting mail. It's a cool set, though. A bit of an upgrade over my 1983 20th Century Limited set. Keep up the excellent videos.

[@seanstraindepot]

Oh yes, these early passenger sets were not prototypical. Only the paint.

[@robdinunzi9248]

Very nice set Sean. I also opted out of the new set, not a fan of the 21" cars. I went on Trainz the day the catalog came out. I found a 5 car set of MTH 20th Century Limited 19" cars with interiors, no passengers but I will add some. They also had a Proto 2 MTH Dreyfus that I picked up and it runs well. The MTH color may be off a little, but the cars and engine match. Enjoy your set Sean, it sounds and looks awesome and the 15" cars look bigger than expected. Can't wait to see the smoke and chuff upgrade.

[@moparmikesr]

A great set Sean I've always wanted one as well I do have the 50th Anniversary scale Hudson set that Neil Young introduced around the same time its also a awesome set I believe it has the same whistle as your Dreyfus nice video I enjoyed

[@TheTrainboard]

Absoutely gorgeous set Sean! Its honestly so much nicer than the new Legacy version. We were actually looking at getting this set, but ended up going with the MTH for the better smoke. Looking forward to seeing you upgrade the smoke unit. - Ryan

[@arthurbiggs5017]

Awesome purchase Sean! That is a very nice model set! You know I love the dreyfuss!

[@tomrogers5516]

That older set is a tribute to your patience and tenacity, Sean! Finding a set that captures what you were looking for at a great price is always a win-win! I really like the sound of the whistle of this engine. It's just what steam engine whistle should sound like. At 8 ft. +, the passenger consist is very impressive, although I can understand your preference for 18" coaches. Is there the chance that Lionel or MTH ever made them? I'm looking forward to the updates you're planning for chuffer smoke feature.

[@joeyBirskovich]

Nice looking set

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, these era sets are really nice for their time.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

The 15" cars will track better and look more realistic on smaller radius. Very nice set. I might invest in a NY Central train some day, always liked the color. PS: still waiting on DCS upgrade from mth😊

[@seanstraindepot]

They look so much better on my medium size layout.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

@@seanstraindepotyes and you have a great layout

[@davidstevens9002]

Great looking set.

[@jub856]

Smoke driven fan unit. Best quote of the day.

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, I just talk off the cuff so sometimes things go backwards, lol. You get the point though.

[@DavidFortney-tx3gc]

Very cool set, all my steam and diesel are from the period of 2000- to 2014, I consider the build quality of that era to be the best that Lionel has ever done in the digital era. I have some newer Lionel also but my first choice is to go with the earlier build items. Good luck with it Sean, have some fun.

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, I agree it was the best era. I think most trains came out of South Korea. That factory was the best at making trains.

[@rabbitstrainroom6327]

Amazing buy. Love it just like it is

[@trainman5603]

All the smoke stuff like whistle, ash pan, water scoop, etc is nice, but really kind of useless in most applications. I like a decent model, good sounds without all the cab chatter (in the days of this engine there was no radio communication, it was hand and lantern signal), a realistic horn/whistle and smoke. It would lower the cost, make it user friendly, and fun to run!

[@lnbwood]

Sean, I have 3D printed vestibules for 15 inch Lionel passenger cars that are hot glued to the ends. I think they make a big difference in looks. Let me know if you would like to see them

[@zechariahfrink3707]

Are you going to do a video of you installing the fan driven unit and the chuff generator and super chuffer? Would love to see how it’s done. I’m always looking to learn how to do these kinds of repairs and upgrades. Thanks for posting all the great content and keep it up!

[@seanstraindepot]

Yes, but only so much time for trains!

[@zechariahfrink3707]

@@seanstraindepot Gotcha and I understand! As a kid who was homeschooled it seemed like I had endless time for trains…as an adult… not so much. Weekends for the most part is my train time, but sometimes other “priorities” take over at those times too. It is what it is I guess lol!

[@Keystone-Bill]

Nice Sean, love it!

[@GlennFresch]

The TMCC sounds could be pretty impressive. I’m sure some of the fine scale details aren’t quite up to par, but man is this detailed! Like you, I get the feeling some of the the Korean and Chinese factories were doing higher quality work 20 years ago than they are today. The weakness here is that the cars look more like enhanced MPC era tooling. They are quite nice for what they are, but it’s clear that KLine had the best and closest to scale aluminum cars in this era.

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, I think there are a few. Not sure if the Legacy one has the movable roof hatches where these are static, but overall, it is pretty close.

[@mikeyanello3664]

Thanks Sean. Good video

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

A magnificent train and a great aquisition! Well done Sean! And did you notice the valve steam effect? It's not super-strong but it's there! Some may not agree but to my mind the 15" cars look better than the more prototypically scaled 21" cars. The longer cars just don't look "right," if you follow my meaning. Those 15-inchers are top quality and worth having. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, on my layout the 15's look so much better!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome!

[@petebendersr1136]

I have a PRR Station Sounds Diner and I have to turn the lights on with my Cab 2 every time power is interrupted.

[@seanstraindepot]

Sounds like it may have an issue with the board. Should keep the last setting.

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

Hi Sean Great video I don't think the new legacy dreyfus Hudson has the variable ashpin glow unfortunately it's a really cool feature that is an awesome engine that you have it looks great and it runs great

[@Geo3Rail]

LOL…Thanks for making me feel like crap for buying the new version 😢

[@seanstraindepot]

HAHA, if you like your new one who cares what anyone else says!

[@don679]

Beautiful set and nice review. Can you provide Lionel part #?

[@seanstraindepot]

Sure! - Engine is 6-28084, 6 Car Set is 6-15326, SS Diner is 6-15383.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Love it.

[@UncleSalty-nz5uk]

Nice vid, great loco! If lionel got the color right on this one, why is the legacy version so far off? Same company.

[@seanstraindepot]

HA, they aren't the same company unfortunately. Now they are owned by an investment company and not a train lover. It's about the $$$$$ now.

[@therosejewelrailroad489]

Very nice set. So did you cancel your preorder for the current version and return the passenger cars you had?

[@seanstraindepot]

Yeah, I felt bad for dealer, but could not justify cost of new one with all the paint color and stripe mistakes.

[@dscottpeterson6653]

Is the speaker in the tender? sounds like the whistle is in the tender.

[@seanstraindepot]

Yes, these all had speakers in tender.

[@mikeyanello3664]

Sean how’s the speed on that Dreyfus?

[@TrainGuy123-qn3ev]

What do you use for your roads?

[@SOU6900]

Nice set. Out of curiosity how big is this layout exactly?

[@seanstraindepot]

It's about 22 x 25. Medium size.

[@miguelalarcon2754]

Are you gonna sell your new Lionel century cars?

[@seanstraindepot]

No, I returned those for a refund.

[@miguelalarcon2754]

@@seanstraindepot I like the color and ordered the train, told myself it’s a fantasy scheme 🤣

[@user-nl7we4fq1e]

I have the Smithsonian edition from the 90’s as well as the 5452. However I was only able to afford just two of the Magnificent brass 80’ers. At $500 a piece I p/u a Pullman and the RPO. Lionel NEVER MADE A PROPER 20th Century Limited scale set! If it wasn’t the paint it was the entire graphic scheme! Don’t these people at Lionel know how to do proper research?? Have they ever seen the PHOTOS OF THE REAL TRAIN! First and foremost there are NO Spaces between cars; it’s like a snake and they are mostly all 80’! Except baggage and one or two others. All they would have to do is replicate the brass ones to plastic! If they want a lesson in the Graphics they should take a ride along the water level route to Albany here in NY. At a number of locations on the right side going north are MANY 0f the old 20th century cars still exist in various states, some are in the restoration process! Have many photos. You see I have the distinction of have been the youngest person to have a service station in 1976 at 17! I would travel from Long Island to NYC to see LOU Shur at Madison Hardware, he took a shine to me and always called me Smiley. Love that man! Half of my golden age collection came from there. Including my Girls set with the Square back tender still Sealed! Since 1990 It’s All Scale All NYC, UP and Penn. All Steam and Turbine. So I feel I can be hyper critical towards Lionel. Especially when I bought direct all those special editions from them earlier this century. You would think they would offer us crazy’s who forked over the 20k over those years upgrade boards for The S2 or the 9000 UP as example. At 67 I’ve had enough of them! Sad but eventually everything comes to an end: maybe at 125 Time to pack it in??? My collection is valued at 200k and insured as such. The club stuff just got out of hand… to many folks are dying its depressing.

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

That should tell Lionel something; your new colors are so bad I preferred something 20 years older.

[@seanstraindepot]

LOL. I don't think they care. But I have now started to look at the TMCC era instead of new stuff if they don't get it right!