Lionel's Strasburg 31 Steam Locomotive is BIG Fun in a SMALL Package!

[@Ericstrains]

Video Notes: 1) This video has chapters if you want to skip around. 2) I forgot to mention Lionel's Strasburg #89, which is also on the way.

[@gilbertporter4992]

You mean #90 and not #89?

[@matt515o]

Eric mentioned 90. He forgot to mention 89.

[@aaronspringborn34]

Great video as always, but I will say this, they did not get the whistle or the bell right on this model, but otherwise the detailing visually superior

[@thespaceace5637]

This really makes me appreciate the designers of these trains. It's amazing how they get all these features and functions to work in such a small package.

[@EngineerDaylight]

I'm glad to see Lionel doing another Strasburg engine. 31 is often overlooked from where I view things. The tender on this isn't prototypical to 31s tender. But I can understand why. But its still a good quality model overall. I can sense there might be a 7470 in future

[@Toaster844]

Hehehehehehe

[@muricatrains]

Awesome looking model. The coaches work so well with her.

[@samueljackson8020]

Eric, your video reviews have gotten way better over the years, before when you were looking at the closer details of the engine you would just ramble on and on about it. But now your reviews are a lot shorter and get to the point. This is why I’m subscribed

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@alfrancisnh]

This might just be my first endeavor into Lionel and an upper gauge from HO! Thanks Eric!!!!

[@MattyCtrains]

Nice video Eric! Something to note that was missed is that if you go to aux 3 on the remote for these engines there's a air ringer option that will disable the swinging bell to have the bell ring at a fast pace like the real 31. Lionel added this feature in last minute for #31 specifically, but the other releases of this model will also do it I believe, Very nice engine

[@skyatoro]

Thanks for sharing, love seeing all these different engines in all their glory

[@stevefalotico8205]

First time I rode Strasburg in ‘87, I was pulled by 31. And rode the Hello Dolly coach. Rode countless times since.

[@thewaysiderailroader]

A very nice little steamer! Love how the coaches go with as well.

[@henryszubielski8601]

Another nice one in a small package! Thanks for the review.

[@donovanellis1533]

Great review as always eric! I'm quite impressed that lionel managed to fit the swinging bell mechanism in a boiler that small, good on them! A thought I'd like to share- I personally see more upsides than downsides with a wired tether vs a wireless tether. For one, maybe it's just me, but I think it makes it look a bit more realistic. Think about it- on any steam locomotive with a tender, you have a number of various connections between the two. A water line to carry water from the tank to the injector, a brake line to apply the brakes on all cars in the train (thank you george westinghouse!), an electrical line to power the marker lights and backup light, an oil line if it's oil fired, etc. At least in my imagination, some wired tethers kinda resemble some of those connections. Also, I imagine it's cheaper and draws a bit less power, but I could be wrong, in which case please correct me. Just some thoughts that occured to me, I'd like to hear yours. Love your channel, and congrats on the custom runs, they look amazing!

[@zachwheeler9846]

Beautiful little engine, love the passenger cars. Great review

[@trainsNwrestlin]

I have the NYC version. So stocked to have it. Keep up the good work, Eric! You're awesome!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks! You too!

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

Wow you can see size difference passing coal gons . Flicker of boiler very nice with bell 🔔 look great moving part with your coaches just awesome. Eric.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks 👍

[@doherty2jz845]

Waiting on #90. can't wait. My 1st Lionel Engine purchase.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

Lionel has actually released a Strasburg Camelback and its Deisel Switcher 8618. 31 is the 3rd and 90 will be 4th and 89 will be the 5th one Released. Plus we cant forget about Nicholas Smith Custom Run 472. That would make it 6 in the last few Years.

[@zacharyspinks6207]

That sure is an Awesome Looking Steam Locomotive right there Eric.👍

[@kenhoganson9481]

Really nice slow speed running. Love the swinging bell!!

[@Leaden-plural0]

I Love the Strausburg 31 Loco I'm Sure the Stausburg 90 Will Be Here Soon

[@JLIRailPro]

Awesome review Eric. 31 looks great with those SRC coaches

[@Adamdaj]

Hi Mr. Eric, I can't wait until you receive No. 90. I had the privilege. Of having two cab rides on Engine No. 90.

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Awesome little engine

[@scal2520]

Another great review! I've been out of the hobby for a while. But since watching your reviews, you may have pulled me back in. I just wish I had even a fraction of your wonderfully detailed layout to run my trains on. great camera work too! Thanks for introducing me to this special little locomotive.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@TonyLasagna]

Wow, I can’t believe I missed this and I didn’t even know they did a model of it

[@Theguy493]

Well if Lionel is starting to make sets based on excursion railroads now, I would love for them to make a set or engine in the colors of The Adirondack railroad.

[@strasburgrailfan90]

I just got mine today, it’s a great model

[@Ace_6.7]

Just got my Pennsylvania one and I love it!

[@gordonsnell6735]

I like the night time shots you do, very cool 😎😎

[@saabjunkieSPG]

Fantastic engine! Love the Bethlehem Steel scheme!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Nice 31 model Eric! The real 31 will be returning to service sometime in late 2023 or 2024.

[@DJHProductions]

Wanna bet?

[@mikeharazim9272]

I do trust your optimistic words. We missed #7312 so much. After it was out of action, I changed my mind and missed the SRC's first tourist steamer in operation even more. I'll remember over and over. Either late 2023 or early 2024.

[@DJHProductions]

@@mikeharazim9272 ugh you again, you’re all delusional. 31 isn’t gonna run for at least a decade, if ever again. Stop living in fantasy land.

[@ricko3242]

Actually the tether is there for more than electrical pickup. This has a 20 pin tether, because the Legacy boards are in the tender because the boiler is too small. The antenna is also in the tender instead of the boiler handrails. The b6 has a 3 pin tether, just for added power pickup. Unlike every previous lionel command steamer since about 2000. This loco will not run without the tether. Every feature passes through it. If your engine acts up. I.e. coupler doesn't work, no chuff, stall and flashing cab light , check the tether seating. Having said that. Nice review as always Eric. Your an asset to the hobby.

[@Ericstrains]

There's a note about that in the video.

[@GoldStandardTrains]

I understand these engines are small, but if BLI can do smoke in HO, I don't see how at this point Lionel can't fit whistle steam in these smaller engines. Or, do a "Visionline trickle down" and add cylinder steam or something to these engines. Even if it adds $100.00 to the price, it would be nice to have some more to these. I have a B6 switcher and it kind of doesn't get much use or Love bc of lack of features, whereas my H10(not much larger) with swinging bell, whistle steam and smoke stack steam takes the show. Thank you for sharing Eric, great video as always!!

[@Ericstrains]

I’m sure it’s technically possible, but they’ve got a development budget they have to work within. They’re not Apple lol. Thanks!

[@GoldStandardTrains]

@@Ericstrains I can agree to an extent, but BLI isn't Apple either and they can get smoke into engines 1/2 the size of Scale engines. I understand they have to work with what they have as well tech and hardware wise, so miracles aren't expected. Like you said in the beginning of the video though, Id rather put the cost of an engine like this toward a larger engine with more features. The H10 wasn't much bigger than this engine and was a huge hit bc that offered Whistle steam and a swinging bell in a small package at a great price when they released it. I would think Lionel would have seen that and maybe made a new standard to try to get the swinging bell into more engines with 2 smoke features(granted the bell is in a location that can accommodate it). Maybe that is where they will move to next, I understand too that they don't want to develop too quickly and have nothing left to innovate and offer in future catalogs.

[@trezjr73]

Don't give Lionel a reason to add $100. to the price of anything!

[@Bardsbrothersrailroad]

I have this model! I love it. I pulled 30 cars with it

[@NB-ski]

This is a much nicer model than I thought it it would be. When I looked at the catalog and saw what looked to be a massive gap between the tender and engine I thought heck no. But now, I might have to find one. They should make more accurate renderings of the final product perhaps.

[@chainsawcharl1e677]

The coaches will look even better with Kadee couplers.

[@trainwild]

That is such a beautiful set. Really cool passenger cars. Nice! 👍

[@Northcoastrails]

That is a beautiful steam engine 😀 👍

[@Chessie1985]

Awesome steam engine and passenger cars Eric!!

[@railfan475productions3]

so far Lionel has made #90, #89, #31. which makes me wonder when they are going to make 475.

[@ronanvave560]

I hope it won't be a relaunch of a lazily repainted 0-8-0.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

I hope so too. The biggest problem is that 475 is a 4-8-0. I doubt if Lionel has the Tooling for it. It would probably another Special Project for them which means it's gonna be really expensive like #90. If I'm not mistaken, I think 3rd Rail is the only company that has ever came out with a 4-8-0 and they included N&W 475 in their release.

[@nature_people]

Very beautiful 👍 Fantastic job 👏 Greetings ✨️ 💖

[@michael61985]

The start up sound sounds more like a diesel starting up than a steam locomotive

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

I also passed up on this #31 on a pre-order and chose to pre-order #89. I'm definitely not a Fan of the Tender. But after seeing them on KZbin I decided to buy it yesterday from a Local Train Shop. I don't like the Tether. It's very hard to attach due to a very small space to get your fingers in there. And it's a very tight fit.

[@Ericstrains]

Actually this tether is surprisingly easy to attach, unlike most others I've seen.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

@Eric's Trains I thought it was a little hard to get it squared up to get it attached. Plus my eyesight is not the best. That doesn't help either.

[@tylerkane1238]

Talking about the Strasburg Railroad, the next locomotive Lionel should release, and I don't mean any disrespect towards the accident that occurred, but others have probably mentioned this as well, but loco 475 with and without the "stitched up" smokebox door as a few will want to run the current loco while those who show respect towards the humiliating accident, run the loco without the damaged smokebox door.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Looks good

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

I miss the real 31. I rode it in 2005 and once in 2009 before it went for its 1472.

[@christherailfan5851]

Will there be a video about the trip to Lionel?

[@brianlohr3412]

very nice engine

[@1940limited]

Would be nice to see some tender first operation as Strasburg dos on the return trips.

[@Ericstrains]

There's a clip of it in the video.

[@traviscovington4294]

For the mth, you just have to zip tie the draw dar to the little metal plate on the tender. Mine never fails

[@murraykallen7388]

Hi Eric, Help me choose one of the Lionel 2023 Bigboys. Not sure about the 4014 because of the high gloss paint. A little leary of the depleting coal load as far as stability is concerned. Maybe the 2331270 because of the up-front coolers. Which one would you pre-order?

[@jimsutter2748]

I wish I could find this locomotive with a Nickel Plate Road livery. Anyone know of a dealer doing a custom run of these in NKP?

[@ColeChi2009]

Omg nice

[@Nashvillesteam42]

Hey Eric I have a rare prototype 1950 Lionel semi scale 773 Hudson

[@newbright2629]

Hey Eric do you know what will be cool if Lionel could make a battery model lionel o scale 10 wheeler locomotive I think that it will be cool right Eric?

[@levidarling5107]

Love the engine! I would like to get one, that is if I can get the money though. LOL

[@tom25pa]

You forgot the aux 3 fast bell.

[@Ericstrains]

oh well

[@tom25pa]

@@Ericstrains I remember they said it has 10 bells on the demos with dave

[@robertwebber1295]

The cable kinda reminds me of water and air hoses

[@SeanDahle]

Sweet

[@OldIronVideo]

Hate to inform you Eric but if you go on a Strasburg shop tour now they have said 7312s restoration is cancelled due to it being in horrible shape

[@Ericstrains]

I'm not surprised.

[@DJHProductions]

Good

[@anthonycoach4551]

I've gotta Mth train that looks and the whistle sounds just like it it's a switcher has the red top to it's a Pennsylvania..and half the price of this but I do like the cab talk and the swinging bell but the price scares me..I like Lionel trains but there a bit more pricey for me..and I have the command set up for Mth is the Dcs setup and I love it and I have an AiU as well but don't use it much..

[@kevinsweeney2810]

Could you review Strasburg 90 next and give the grand canyon train set a review mr siegel?

[@Ericstrains]

yes

[@trainsandsirensofilinmiwi2080]

I wonder if Lionel has a legacy Strasburg 90.

[@Ericstrains]

coming soon

[@theprivyline484]

When is the 50k video coming out

[@Ericstrains]

11K ago? haha

[@jacobramsey7624]

This locomotive looks like conway scenic railroads 7470.

[@lynxplz3757]

Can’t believe Lionel didn’t add excavator so unrealistic

[@ronanvave560]

That would be for 475. And please don't remind us of that LOL.

[@SkiVail]

It always annoys me when they say there isn’t enough room to fit additional smoke units. Other manufacturers are fitting smoke units on HO scale locomotives!

[@bluegames8342]

What About the Strasburg Switcher

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

Hi!

[@parts323]

Not a correct model of the real Strasburg #31. More of a USRA model of the Strasburg #31.

[@blackstone1a]

so far we've gotten #31, #89, and #90 along with their diesel catalogued. Which begs the question, #475 when Lionel? Would probably have to be the vision line model of a main catalogue but I do not care, I would subsist of ramen for months to own it

[@DJHProductions]

Wish they made 475 instead of 31.

[@SeanBleaking]

Due think after train get scarp it goes to heaven?

[@zombiedropper1013]

Am I the only one who noticed the drive gear for both Strasberg engines was wrong?

[@Ericstrains]

@@zombiedropper1013 you’re the only one

[@DJHProductions]

The railroad cancelled the 31 restoration, don’t expect it to be restored anytime soon.

[@thatkid9831]

When?

[@DJHProductions]

@@thatkid9831 ever

[@OfficialMilkyFoxChannel]

They totally screwed up the O9's looks badly.

[@603rail]

it definitely resembles a CN O18a way more then a O9a

[@OfficialMilkyFoxChannel]

@@603rail exactly

[@patstrains7185]

I’d much rather a tether than incorrect paint colors.

[@bathurstrenesis]

Looks like they took MTHs USRA 0-8-0 and only gave it 3 axles. Tender is pretty bad and the rods are not prototypical at all. For the prices of these things these days they could have put in a little more effort.

[@ricko3242]

The engine is MTH's 0-6-0 tooling. The tender is Lionels respectable USRA tender. That is incorrect for strausburg 31.

[@ryanmolnar6416]

I hate to say it but the amount of work that needs to go into 31 to be running again probably will not happen I’ve worked there for several years now and just hearing talks it just won’t happen which sucks

[@DJHProductions]

Good, scrap the engine!

[@ChargerusPrime]

Is it just me who thinks they need to do CNJ 113?

[@eddiewillers8379]

Once again I have a disagreement of your review especially when you're talking about the Lionel wireless tether .I have had lots of problems with it especially on a NYC 442 but also on a Berkshire. sometimes the tender would just go berserk and start making noises all by itself sometimes it wouldn't link up correctly etc so no it's not foolproof and it's not all that

[@Ericstrains]

There are always going to be exceptions, but in general I find Lionel’s wireless tether to be extremely reliable and I personally have never had an issue with it.

[@dkkauffmanjr]

Hard to say....but you keep misspronouncing Strasburg and lancaster🤣👍 (stras-burg (a sounds like at)/ langcaster ( a sounds like angle))

[@Ericstrains]

What can I say, I'm not from Pennsylvania lol

[@dkkauffmanjr]

@Eric's Trains all good sir, the nice thing about being local is I don't have to go far for the TCA train show in York to see you. 👍 I'm the gentleman who had to put a leash on my father who was fan boying you at the last show. 🤣

[@o484]

Pretty model, although ironically, the real 31's bell doesn't swing, since it has a single piece bell bracket that doesn't allow for swinging.

[@ronanvave560]

Air bell hammer isn't it?

[@Ericstrains]

Since the real 31 is lying is pieces and may never be restored I think it’s ok to take some artistic license 😃

[@ronanvave560]

@@Ericstrains Can't argue with that.

[@o484]

@@Ericstrains true that

[@stevebarnes2]

So this is completely the wrong model to depict 31.

[@realethanangell]

Quite inaccurate for my liking…

[@patstrains7185]

Again Lionel charging proto prices for LionChief quality and resemblance. Wrong tender, colors off again. But keep spending your hard earned money on Lionel garbage. Until they come back to York, they don’t deserve our money.

[@DanielSmith-xx8je]

31 is the worst engine at the strasburg railroad, idk why anyone would want a model of it. I saved up for 90, now that is the engine to get!

[@christianness8983]

it's pronounced Strahz-burg, not straas-burg