Lionel Western Maryland 1309: The NEW Pulling Champ!

The New Lionel 3-Rail O Gauge 2-6-6-2 Western Maryland 1309. A gorgeous locomotive and the new pulling champ!
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Chapter List:
0:00 - Intro & Unboxing
3:20 - History
4:27 - Model Stats & Facts
5:31 - Pulling Power
6:34 - Pulling Power Test
10:08 - BFIMO
10:31 - Startup & Demo
14:02 - Running Session
18:17 - A Ride On The Train
19:07 - Sky Cam
20:34 - Wrap Up
22:01 - End Credits

[@Ericstrains]

This video has chapters if you'd like to skip around!

[@joestrmic7928]

Eric that's a monster of a locomotive I love it

[@ColtonRMagby]

Wait, 5.69 POUNDS of pulling power? WHAT? Lionel needs to explain what changes they're making. That thing is NUTS.

[@Ericstrains]

Crazy I know

[@Mcnibbus]

Motors from canon that’s the only thing that changed

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@Mcnibbus The camera company?

[@buecomet831]

They cookin

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@buecomet831 What?

[@AppalachianRailfan99]

Personally my favorite is the N&W hooter they had on it early on. There’s just something about N&W hooters that I can’t explain. So happy to see 1309 in model form

[@ez-bakeoven6797]

There's a place near where I live called The Brandywine River Museum, and they have their own O Gauge layout that they run during the holidays. One of the consists that they always have out is a massive nearly hundred car freight train that runs the whole length of the layout, and itself takes up a bit less than half of the track. This video reminded me of that, especially the comment of the loco hitting the back of the consist.

[@asdfdsa45]

All of these rubber traction tire heavy locomotives should be able to pull your load on flat track easily. Your Lionel Big Boy and Allegheny and for sure your MTH Big Boys and Yellowstone can all do it as well. In a way, I wish Lionel and MTH would return to (or begin using) magnetraction benefitting those with steel rails or other magnetic metals and get rid of these rubber traction tires, or at least make having rubber traction tire an option for those of us who are tire of having to replace traction tires. 2-rail models don't have rubber traction tires and they pull well so let's let the drivers slip once in a while. The shear weight of these diecast models alone is enough to cause them to pull long trains. On these high dollar models I think a good marketing strategy would be to make these options available to the customer.

[@newbright2629]

Wow Eric now that's is a lot of pulling power now that's crazy Eric.

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Very impressive Eric, Wow!! That new overhead view right at 19:11 is absolutely incredible!

[@davidstrainsandlego]

That thing is a beast

[@howardgriffin2966]

Really nice set, thanks for sharing

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@Railroads57]

Always nice to see when eric uploads another video...

[@Tony-2745]

Sky cam cool, please do more

[@aidensypolt]

Nice steam locomotive and passenger consist.

[@buffaloarearailfan9928]

That thing is really impressive with it’s pulling power! Excellent Video & Locomotive!

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@danielboone3770]

Love this engine and again, the passenger set!

[@davidkasparian4089]

Beautiful locomotive Eric!! Love the Red Roof over the engineers cab👍👍

[@Ericstrains]

Me too!

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@Ericstrains do you know if this is available in HO scale?

[@zacharyspinks6207]

Wow!, This Steam Locomotive is Incredible, My Favorite Whistle sound is #4, and the Bell sound is # 1, that Pulling Power is Outstanding., Excellent Video Eric.😃👍👍

[@joshuacantu101]

Wow that's impressive Eric

[@DCSk8er529]

There's a Mallet in the valley and it's 1309!🎶 A Mallet in the valley and it's 1309!🎶

[@SD70MACHfan]

Wow that is super cool. That is a big Western Maryland 1309.

[@mattstrainroom]

The Lionel model will probably run more reliably than the real 1309 ever will on the Scenic Railroad....

[@jerrystaley1563]

Eric, I'm always impressed and a bit jealous of your new acquisitions of all these superb locomotives and cars. They are a far cry from the 1947 Lionel locomotive, tender and passenger cars that I got for my first Christmas. I still have them... and somewhere the original 1947 operating booklet. Somehow, in all the moves during my Dad's USAF career, the little brown glass bottle with those little white smoke pellets got lost. Thanks for your superb videos. I've been watching from those early days when you started building your layout. JJS

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome loco!!!

[@buffspam]

I was hoping someone would review this engine and not surprised you were the first, thank you Eric! Was considering this one to be my first articulated engines as most of the newer Lionel ones seems to be O-72 (have O-60). I can run 18" cars not sure if 21" ones would clear scenery but it looks like those cars match nicely. Looking forward to taking a ride on the real Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in August and although the steam engine is not running the trip through the countryside should be amazing!

[@KitbashedSurvival]

Cool!

[@user-hm5wz7ii6z]

Boy that western Maryland. 1309 is some beautiful sounding engine and it runs great.

[@TWNTY-es8lu]

very cool Eric...

[@demetremorris5541]

Hi Eric I am a new sub and I actually specialize in ho trains as a kid the trains, you own are really cool in my opinion my favorite train is 4014 big boy hope you have a great day and keep up the great work you do😊👍🏼

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks for the sub!

[@demetremorris5541]

Anytime👍🏼

[@BritishRail60062]

Nice model train there. I am just getting started into G Gauge. I have a Class 60 and a Class 03 from Heljan. It's the 2 rail DC models.

[@DennyDreadBassMan]

Sweet!

[@SeanBleaking]

I can't stop laugh at 6:08 guy!!! i am shock at that power but i am only now use o gauge Christmas time.

[@DynamicDuo795]

Can't wait to get the new Lionel Legacy C&O F19 Pacific's soon. They are due to finally arrive next month. I'm looking forward to them.

[@JohnHuntt]

Whistle number 4. Bell sound 5.

[@Mrbowler300]

WM 1309 is my favorite steam locomotive along side SP 4449 ATSF 3751 MILW 261

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice! That is a beautiful locomotive. As usual, the number one bell and whistle are the most realistic and prototypical. That number one whistle is just plain mournful. I would bet that you could have pulled the heavier train on the lower level, by getting as much of the train on straight track that you can. Starting on that curve adds much more resistance. I've done 45 cars on my layout and probably could do more, but that is all of the modern cars that I have. I have plenty of post-war cars, but they don't roll worth an damn. Either way, an excellent video, as always.

[@shafiqshabazz2462]

W H A T........ 5 LBS 11 OZ'S.... CRAZY

[@austinniederjohn9813]

I would say the n&w hooter is my favorite whistle and bell sound #5 is the best bell

[@cjstrader8171]

You got yourself a Ronnie Coleman of a locomotive dude. Light Weight Baby!

[@charlesreineke8386]

I love whistle 3

[@pinchy08]

Aye aye aye! Mr Incredible! 🚂💪👏

[@adamrossmanith6739]

Ludicrous speed!

[@Jcus10iscool]

I want it!

[@jeffsmith350]

I still like the orange greenbrier and its passenger cars better.

[@Trainboy11]

amazing eric

[@TobyPasman]

Actually, the last time an articulated steam locomotive operated on the east coast was back in November 1992 when Union Pacific 3985 (under coordination with CSX) operated on CSX rails for the 50th running of CSX’s Santa Claus Special. For the event, UP 3985 masqueraded as a Clinchfield Challenger numbered 676 (after the last Challenger built for the Clinchfield Railroad) for the event

[@danielboone3770]

Second thought, whistle #4 wins me over.

[@MMID303]

I've been waiting for this one! Whistle 2 bell 1. What's the minimum curve on your layout? Unfortunately I believe she's currently out of service. She needs some extensive cylinder work.

[@peterd.9893]

My favorite whistles are #3, #5 and bells #1, and #4

[@csullivancox]

Did you paint that car in the background green? lol Awesome!

[@Ericstrains]

Not sure what you mean. I don't see a green car.

[@Ace_6.7]

Wow it looks like this is rendered correctly vs the catalog 😂

[@Ace_6.7]

Also wish they put a pensy 3 chime whistle on it for the time that it ran T1 #5550’s whistle

[@MatthewTheRBXMan]

13:13 so that sound is actually the sound of the air compressors I’ve heard and seen that Chesapeake Ohio 1309 in person before and I was even in the cab so I know all the sounds

[@Ericstrains]

Cool

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

As i said in an old comment i made, the chessie Greenbrier and the UP 9000 were TIED for 1st place. Well as shown here, they're now tied for second place. Now lionel needs to make a it so the Erie triplex can pull 6 lbs 😂

[@edwinsinclair9853]

Nice model. Wonder why Lionel left the headlight visor off though.

[@Ericstrains]

Because they're Lionel🤣

[@snakeyez150]

hey Eric can you do a review on the Lionel vision line Erie triplex super set when it arrives?

[@Ericstrains]

yes

[@Heroduothecomedian]

It's nice to see 1309 under her own power again and getting model love, the one thing I don't like is they got the date wrong of when the B&O museum originally got her from Russell ky, the wiki and from what I found online said she was taken from Russell KY in the 1970 or early 1980s but I have a pic of 3 or 4 year old me standing on 1309 in Russell KY and I was born in 1988 so it would had been 1991 or 1992 so unless we had another glitch in the matrix or something IDK what's going on but I'm glad to see her not rusting away anymore anyways

[@91_C4_FL]

12:36 1309 is the last Baldwin steam locomotive built for an American railroad and Lionel put an ALCO builder's plate on it.

[@williamkolina3988]

Eric,I always wonder about the weight of the consist Wouldn't a heavy consist like you demonstrated damage the engine or cause premature wear.I have a lot of die cast rolling stock.I would greatly appreciate your opinion and knowledge on this matter

[@Ericstrains]

Yes, you wouldn’t want to run it under maximum load like that all the time. My test is to just see what the upper limit is.

[@michaelbezak5401]

Hi Eric, I don’t know if I missed it , but the color changing car over your left shoulder is really cool. Who and what is the deal with that car. Really cool Thanks in advance

[@Ericstrains]

it's a color changing clear hopper that was made by Menards earlier this year. They sold out pretty quickly, but they might make more at some point.

[@johnconway2549]

Number 4 whistle bell 2

[@christophercddelrosariocoish]

whistle #3 bell #1

[@jamesdenny4734]

Who'd think a 2-6-6-2 would be more powerful than a 4-8-8-4! I didn't. 😮 🧐

[@Ericstrains]

I know

[@ESIG3800]

What's with the cool glasses?

[@bxjibaro73]

@Eric's Trains - HOLY RANDY "MACHO-MAN" SAVAGE SHADES 😎 Eric! 😆 🤣 😂 Great 👍🏼 video of #1309 Also, #3110 Looks AWESOME!!!

[@parts323]

Well at least yours works, the real one is still broke, due to a crappy restoration.

[@Ericstrains]

That sucks

[@danielboone3770]

Whistle #3 wins me over.

[@johnreiter6664]

Hello Eric....please don't take this as a harsh criticism but the modified tunnel arch needs to be replaced....looks real fake....I know why it's that way but you need to fix this....by the way I am a big fan of you and your train content

[@delawarebeachboy]

I think the new Erie Triple might pull more

[@Ericstrains]

We'll see.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

That's a hoss

[@user-ms7kq5ke2s]

how hard is it to clean the smokebox with the small smokebox door

[@Ericstrains]

not hard

[@joshuaw711]

I would assume that these are brushless dc motors.

[@danieldoesdumbstuff]

It’s a great model but Lionel got the valve gear wrong on this particular version

[@jasonanderson6583]

It seems the 9000 has bin beat

[@Ericstrains]

yep

[@traviscovington4294]

How does how you scale pulling power affect the way a engine pulls? It pulled 68 pounds but it’s 5.98 pounds of pulling power ??

[@Ericstrains]

it's 68 pounds of freight cars, but they're on wheels so that reduces the effort needed to pull them. That's why wheels were invented in the first place, haha.😃

[@doubleutubefan5]

Does Lionel have a model for the OTHER Western Maryland Steamer, 734 aka Mountain Thunder

[@Ericstrains]

I don't think so, at least not yet.

[@mattstrainroom]

MTH has offered a SPECTACULAR model of the Western Maryland H9 steam locomotive. Good luck finding the WMSR 734 cab number...very rare and only a handful made as a uncatalogued offering.

[@dalecherne5377]

If you have enough of them together, you may be able to pull a person sitting on a chair with wheels lol

[@philipjc1]

why are you wearing those glasses?

[@bigmacland]

Macho Man Randy Savage

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

I wonder how hard it must be for your hand to pull 66-68 lbs of cars

[@Ericstrains]

well, they're on wheels so you're not having to use 66-68 pounds of force. Wheels reduce the amount of force needed, so it's probably somewhere about 5 pounds of force needed to pull them...whether by hand or by locomotive.😃

[@doubleutubefan5]

So how many of these are required to pull a real engine? (kinda like Miniature Wonderland did in Germany with like 100 something HO ones) For science, we must know!

[@Ericstrains]

Haha, yes, for science!

[@davidmaust1415]

If it wasn't so $$$$, I would enjoy owning one of the engines as i live less than 2hr from Cumberland

[@MrStevesTrains]

Alex, I’ll take… What is Bell #2? For $1800.

[@christsogaugetrains]

Look like the engine wheels where slipping on the tracks

[@VIDEOLA1]

whistle 4 bell 4

[@davidnicholascreativesl.l.2143]

Not sure why Lionel INSISTS on using a primer-grey smokebox on its high-end steam locomotives. The primer-grey really cheapens the look -- something you'd expect with an O-27 locomotive. It seems a crap-shoot as to whether we get the primer grey or more pleasing graphite grey color. The 2-8-0's got the graphite grey, and it looks MUCH better. METCA's D&RGW Mogul also got the graphite grey smokebox, and that too looks very nice. But the D&RGW 2-6-6-2 has the cheap primer grey smokebox, and that's a deal-breaker for me. Let's see what happens with the D&RGW Triplex. I'm hoping for the graphite smokebox... or no Triplex for me.

[@Ericstrains]

Research indicates that in March of 1947 WM 1309 received primer gray paint on the smokebox.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

Let’s pay some respect to Western Maryland 734🫡

[@user-yn8do4px8e]

Let's Not I seen this loco Live in person slip and have massive problems on the hill from Cumberland that pulling freight need a Diesel to push as Help Yeah!!!

[@calvinwalters1556]

The trains where they used diesel helpers on were far longer than they anticipated when the purchased 734. Those trains were so long that they wouldn't be able to have 734 lead the return trip from Frostburg. The grade from the turntable to switch #9 is about 3%. That trackage is demanding for any locomotive. You aren't wrong saying 734 was ill suited for what was asked of her by the end of her service. I would like to ad that when this line was first re-opened, the engines they used were a couple of pacifics, so I think it's safe to say they weren't expecting very long trains.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

@@calvinwalters1556 Dang

[@user-yn8do4px8e]

I can help you I see your having a Midlife Crises with the glasses any Funny talk about Best New Puller Champion, Calling now for Help! 😂🤣😂 I Remember when they only cost $650 Yeah! Insane is that you payed that Price! A drug addiction is cheaper that what you're doing as I'm totally lost, just speaking frank with you.

[@DocSmokeyJoe]

hate to rain on the parade but the kato bigboy can pull 15 pounds

[@Ericstrains]

@@DocSmokeyJoe that’s not O though is it?

[@DocSmokeyJoe]

@@Ericstrains nope its n scale

[@Mr.Funk92]

I really don’t understand why Lionel did not switch the placement of the marker lights and the number boards. Would have been way more accurate. Disappointing

[@Ericstrains]

Because they’re Lionel? 🤣

[@Mr.Funk92]

@@Ericstrains guess I’m not surprised by that. Hell we pay 1000+ and they can’t even provide metallic graphite paint for the firebox and smoke box. Just some ugly gray.

[@Mr.Funk92]

Feels like ever since Mike retired, Lionel seems to have lost interest in quality and accuracy.

[@TheMarkaorso]

Eric I like watching your videos but those glasses make you look like a giant fly I had to skip your video

[@bxjibaro73]

Of course LIONEL "FORGOT" the DROP-PLATE between the ENGINE & TENDER, again!!! WTF LIONEL! $1,800 & NO Drop-Plate. 🤷‍♂️

[@Ericstrains]

It's an invisible drop plate.

[@bxjibaro73]

@@Ericstrains 😆 🤣 😂