The Most Adorable Train Ever Made? Lionel's Alaska Railroad 0-6-0T Steam Engine

[@Ericstrains]

Video Notes: 1) This video has chapters for those who wish to skip around. 2) Please excuse any audio inconsistencies. I'm testing out a few new mics. 3) The minimum curve required for this locomotive is O31.

[@tylerkane1238]

I own one of these locomotives, from a Menards Alaskan Railroad set, though mine just has an electronic whistle, not a real steam whistle. Loved the set cause it came with a manual crane , searchlight car and a maintenance caboose, and I always wanted a crane.

[@carolyndow4209]

Little engines really can do big things!

[@pstnus2]

This is one of the most fun locomotives Lionel has produced.

[@timothymclaughlin6860]

Awww… what a cute lil Locomotive! 💝 Honestly I had no idea they were all die cast metal construction with all those features! Very impressive! I am interested now in one of these so thanks for the lil video! They look like a blast 💥🙂

[@CreeperBroCMJ]

I have the Lionel Lines one from 2008 and love it. Glad that it was brought back and into the LC 2.0 line

[@williamkolina3988]

I have an older version 2.0 Bethlehem steel 76 Sets off smoke alarms It pulls 15 scale cars with no problem A hefty piece For 239 bucks you can't go wrong Lionel hit a home run with this

[@Ericstrains]

Yep!

[@Theguy493]

I had a Santa Fe one as a kid. Think I got it either 2004 or 2005. I'm glad to see this model is still going strong.

[@tulane14]

I finally have a steam engine that Eric has!

[@Ericstrains]

Yay!!!

[@floofthebassplayer]

What a neat and "relatively" affordable little train car! I'd love to have one if I didn't A: sit in the broke college student category and B: not have any of my O scale stuff out where I am currently because of said college endeavor lol

[@thewaysiderailroader]

I own one of these locomotives, a LC+ 2.0 model in Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal livery. I love it!

[@Ericstrains]

Very cool!

[@zepledfan413]

These are some of the best locomotives Lionel makes in my opinion. They put out some power and they're just awesome. They don't sound half bad for the price point too!

[@Ericstrains]

Agreed. They're right in the sweet spot of affordability and features.

[@KandRCustomModels]

Being an alaska fan I had to get one!

[@Eddiefx92]

Videos like this that youve made about the Lionchief engines has rekindled my love of Lionel trains. I love your vids about scale stuff of course, but these engines are perfectly within my budget and now I have two a Pennsy A5 and a pennsy E33. Thank you for the inspo

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@FordEnthusiast413]

Great review Eric. Beautiful little locomotive. Very tempted to get one!!

[@Ericstrains]

It really is!

[@Goofyboi2002]

@@Ericstrains​​⁠​⁠11:20 ah...mixup! that's full speed 12:54 that's not full speed Or that's just me but still it's a nefty cute little switcher!

[@Ericstrains]

@@Goofyboi2002 its full speed

[@Goofyboi2002]

@@Ericstrains yeah figured but still a cute engine tho

[@davidstrainsandlego]

We all love big steam, but there's something special about little switchers.

[@JohnHuntt]

Thank you for showing this Engine. I have bought conventional Lionel one with the same shell and a smoke unit back over 10 years age for 100 dollars. This was not a Lion Chief. But it did pull over twenty cars. But you are right in nit doing this, because I burned out the motor on mine. Mine was Union Pacific numger 87. Thanks for showing the fun you can have with this engine.

[@josephpolanin182]

I got two of these when they first came out several years ago. They were simply hundred-dollar dockside switchers. Good puller! Sadly, tripling the price did not improve the whistle one bit.

[@Ericstrains]

Inflation sucks.

[@josephpolanin182]

Someone on the o gauge forum talked about how difficult it was to install electronics into this tiny engine. That Lionel added all these fancy electronics and left that crappy whistle says more about them than inflation.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Amazing locomotive Eric! I really like the red and black!

[@Ericstrains]

Me too!

[@Elofski-Yakolev]

I'd say this locomotive is worth it. I'm in HO scale and a new Scaletrains AC4400 is 300$ DDC & Sound, for the size and the fact this locomotive has sound for 350 bucks is amazing!

[@charlesmcclure5994]

It's definitely stinking cute, what a great little performer and a nice addition to your collection 👍👍

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks so much 😊

[@chuckhunter328]

I have a couple of the 0-6-0Ts. One in Pennsylvania and the elf work train. They work great on small Inglenook switching puzzles.

[@Traingamer5]

One of my favorite Lionel train sets as a kid was the thunder Valley mining train set which came with one of these tank engines I still have it. I’ve been thinking about getting one of these new Sound equipped ones and swapping the body to have my thunder Valley mining sent have some sound.

[@Ericstrains]

Cool

[@henryszubielski8601]

Thanks for the review Eric. What a great little engine!

[@uranusimploding9830]

I bought the Sant Fe version in 2020 and it's a little jewel ......heavy, stout and can pull ......I've mine working with the Santa Fe Disconnect cars and four little side tipper cars as a maintenance crew, along with Lego crewman ........ makes for a cute group of hard workers

[@Ericstrains]

Very nice!

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

You should see the peckett 0-4-0s or gwr 1340 Trojan! They would make for super cute locomotives on you layout.

[@Ericstrains]

Cool idea!

[@walterstrains5390]

I have the same kind, except in the Bethlehem Steel Company 76 road name. He was such a cute little locomotive I named him Little Smokey. I actually got to run a real steam locomotive similar to that in Owosso, Michigan.

[@kevinmartin9940]

Nice video Eric. I probably would never have purchased this but after seeing the video it might be interesting to have one,

[@Ericstrains]

Right on

[@RandyCRR]

I thought it was going to throw a rod when it went flying by at 70 mph! LOL . I need a PRR or LIRR version. Hello Lionel.

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Sweet little tank switcher.

[@tylercummins1070]

I love how you added a little small caboose to the end that was funny😂😂😂

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@railchief74]

It’s a beautiful baby from the cold blue railroad lol. Looks so cool…the pun wasn’t intended 🚂

[@Ericstrains]

Haha

[@davidfurino2987]

The little engine that could,got some pulling power for sure,nice,aloha

[@lagowago]

such a beautiful engine!

[@RayR0041]

I have one of these lehigh version. It is great for a little engine to build a long train out of yard cars!

[@Ericstrains]

It sure is!

[@jrt77339]

In Fairbanks in front of their terminal they had an old engine very much like this one. We had great times riding on the rail in the 4 years we lived there.

[@Ericstrains]

Cool!

[@JeffreyAu1]

That is the cutest little engine! 😍 I've recently found your channel and have been binge watching your videos. I love that you always have a caboose at the end of your trains. Not sure what it is about cabooses, but they make me smile. Thank you for that! No model train (diesel or steam) should ever be run without one.

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you!

[@Davids_Hobbies]

I have a vintage 1983 Alaska Railroad Lionel 2-4-2 8368 switcher and 1982/83 Alaska Bay Window Caboose 6441 in my small collection of trains. Got them for $100 in total at a train show last year. I couldn't pass up the deal. I mostly collect trains from Atlas, and specifically trains run by New Jersey Transit because I live in NJ but I have an affinity for the vintage Lionel 2-4-2 switchers.

[@Ericstrains]

Awesome!

[@Chessie1985]

Cute little engine Eric!!!

[@james2592OldLeatherSmith]

OLD Leather Smith here, It's been a while since I watched your videos. 2, say how long I have watched is you were making tunnels and back drop 4 your layout. From what I have seen you have done a magnificent job. Thanks 4 your videos. GOD'S BLESSINGS ✝️⚾🙃

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks, and welcome back!

[@DeerbrookSouthernRR]

I had the old version from the early 2000s but like most of them the electronic reversing board fried and parts are not available. Glad they brought it back. Hopefully it lasts a little longer than mine did

[@chessiejohnproductions]

Just got same one you have great little engine.

[@SchaeferOGaugeLoggingRR]

Love steam switchers. Great video.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks 👍

[@Northcoastrails]

Awesome little steam engine 😊

[@Ericstrains]

It sure is!

[@JacobHofeldt-fq6ii]

The 0-6-0s that Lionel makes are tough little engines, Eric said they tow more than you'd think with their size. I've got one of the older conventional ones and it pulls better than many other larger locomotives I've got.

[@railroadguy100]

A really great locomotive. A while back, a similar one used to run the train on the Sacramento Southern and was a boxy version with similar full size design. The Granite Mountain Quarry engine was a great engine at Old Sacramento

[@Ericstrains]

Cool!

[@Deadbuck73]

I have the same lil chooch from years ago. I don’t know what year but it’s the same thing. It’s the only modern loco I own. Got it from ebay. It’s a good lil runner. I need some new rubber bands for it’s wheels but otherwise it’s good.

[@Ericstrains]

Great!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Awsum train very kool maybe some day I’ll be able run trains like that Great video

[@danielboone3770]

I love the locomotive! The catalog is especially awesome!

[@Ericstrains]

I agree!

[@mattstrainroom]

Great video, Eric. I've been tempted by one of these for a while, especially that Lehigh Valley, that is a version of the real thing I've had the chance to run (drive) and fire back when I was a volunteer on the Walkersville Southern Railroad. The real deal is owned by a father and son team in Indiana that have a few of them they've restored and rent out to various east coast museums. They travel around via semi-trucks...their company is Gramling Locomotive Works. We trucked in the Lehigh Valley or one of their other engines each spring to run on the tourist trains.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

Cute lil’ bugger!

[@mechamax7919]

i remember this loco, i had one as a kid with the number 1 on its sides, first new O-27/O scale loco i owned. Sad it still sits in storage rn.

[@F40M07]

The ✨ *T h i n g a m a b o b* ✨

[@ELWtrains]

Nice video and steam locomotive 🚂 like u said it is cute,Thanks for sharing

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you! 🤗

[@stanmohr8601]

Have the C&O dockside switcher, conventional, from the early 2000s

[@Nicetrains]

I got the Lehigh Valley model.

[@jamesyohnka4779]

Love the weathered Illinois Central box car

[@Ericstrains]

Yeah, I got that at York last year.

[@Sir_Ram]

if your seeing these please hi it would make my day

[@Ericstrains]

Yes.

[@RaysTrains]

I love the red. I’m picking my Lehigh valley one up tomorrow! Eric I’m heading to Atlanta with my wife in 2 weeks (my first time) and of course I’ll be going to legacy station. I think it’s gonna be Tuesday sept 12th I assume you’ll be working but it would be cool to say hi

[@Ericstrains]

Yeah chances are I’ll be working.

[@Walt1960]

A Menards 6 pack would be perfect for that locomotive.

[@Walt1960]

Very cool.

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

Fun fact: this locomotive is not supposed to be equipped with dynamo generator sounds, as its head lamp bruns oil.

[@williamkolina3988]

Eric this might sound crazy to you,but can you make a video/videos counting all your rolling stock.I know that would be a monumental task.I am fascinated by rolling stock. And your collection is world class

[@Ericstrains]

I've got plans to, but it will take a while to get that video completed.

[@mistermadmachine6311]

😮👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😃you should've given one last image with just the engine itself and the bobber

[@levidarling5107]

Hey! This little tank engine is number 1 just like Thomas y’all!

[@railfansammy4974]

Nice engine

[@MMID303]

I like that orange and black.

[@nscaleaddiction]

I’ve seen the real one it’s on display in Anchorage Alaska

[@BenDeutschman]

Curious if Lionel has finally gone back to supplying parts for their very expensive toy trains.

[@Ericstrains]

They've had a pretty good parts website for years. Their parts department is gigantic, I've seen it in person.

[@stevemellin5806]

Nice locomotive

[@rowansimpson4449]

You are a legend😌

[@rowansimpson4449]

I love trains too (Especially The 4449)

[@Ericstrains]

Aww thanks

[@thomasweekley9209]

I have one of the older 0-6-0T’s. I have a problem with mine in that it has a stripped gear inside of it

[@Ericstrains]

Uh oh!

[@gamerworld1047]

Hey Eric, great video! Quick question: Does this loco require smoke fluid? Mine stopped generating snow after a while!

[@seventhcircleracing3012]

The catalog says 0-31 minimum curve - the Owner's Manual says 0-27. There are no flanges on center wheels - my #194 Copper Range negotiates 0-27 curves AOK.

[@Ericstrains]

Cool

[@jimmelchin1531]

It is adorable...but why red trim ? An older color for Alaska ? Thanks 👍

[@Ericstrains]

No idea

[@anthonycoach4551]

Does the rear light come on whenever you put it in reverse I see a rear glass is there a light in the rear??and I do like this engine..I had an engine similar to this in mini scale..or whatever you would call below O gauge..

[@Ericstrains]

Yes

[@anthonycoach4551]

@@Ericstrains cool I want one haa

[@TobyPasman]

I want the Lehigh Valley Coal Company variant of this because I have ridden the real Lehigh Valley Coal Company 126

[@Ericstrains]

Awesome!

[@gordonsnell6735]

Just curious if I may, would you all this a tank engine as well??

[@Ericstrains]

Yes, it's a tank engine.

[@newbright2629]

Hey Eric well you know what they say big things come in small peasis am i right Eric?

[@Lil_Pennsy]

The 0-6-0’s are actually quite strong for being small

[@AuntJemimaPancakes]

$350 is that all Diamond Jim? $150 tops for that little turd.

[@Ericstrains]

And a burger at McDonalds should cost 15 cents.

[@AuntJemimaPancakes]

@Ericstrains Ba ba ba ba We be lovin it.

[@andrewmurtha5846]

A video from ABC News got into your product review video feed somehow.😕

[@Ericstrains]

Oh ok. I’ll remove it. Probably a mistake on my part.

[@andrewmurtha5846]

@@Ericstrains Alright.

[@pootispiker2866]

Hm yes, a switcher 060 with a radio in the cab. Prototypical haha

[@Ericstrains]

Actually, trains had radios in the cans going all the way back to 1492.

[@pootispiker2866]

@@Ericstrains Train telephones on these switchers? A bit odd for the time, but still believable I suppose. More so once you realize it didn't use many electronics

[@JIppo-ns5zu]

lol. your link in the description links to a massive 1700 dollar 4-8-4 steamer. whoops.

[@OG-Productions]

Just send a picture of one of these and your mom will buy it for you

[@Ericstrains]

Ok?

[@OG-Productions]

@@Ericstrains It was a joke

[@billyhowell1677]

What does OT stand for?

[@Ericstrains]

it's zero T. 0-6-0 T. 0-6-0 refers to the wheel arrangement. T stands for "tank engine"

[@Sir_Ram]

that’s what i thought

[@dennisneo1608]

I was going to buy one of these, but I'm only 12. :'(

[@Cbtrainnut]

I’m sorry but Thomas is cutest engine Lionel ever made! Period. Nuff said lol!

[@Ericstrains]

Wrong! 😀

[@Cbtrainnut]

@@Ericstrains I couldn’t resist lol

[@Broncort1]

You’ll put it on a shelf and won’t run it again….😂

[@Anders7109]

1st

[@PMfan1225]

First

[@JosephMeehan-u2i]

Saw your review and had to get one. I might have to stop watching so I don't buy anymore trains.

[@Ericstrains]

Haha 😂

[@andrewjackson9417]

Sorry but the Tomix N scale Thomas is far more adorable.

[@Ericstrains]

Nope, you're wrong! Hahaha

[@cheesewonton7263]

You see id love to do o scale but it’s too expensive for me so I stuck with ho scale

[@sethandotts3763]

No pulling power test? :(

[@Ericstrains]

I talked about it, just didn't show it.