Worth The Wait: Lionel's Incredible Strasburg 90 Train

[@jameskubajak8489]

I rode the Strasburg Railroad back in 1980. The reason for the ghost whistle effect is because there's a spot on the line where they purposely stop and blow the whistle. You'll hear an echo from the other side of the valley!😮😊

[@Eddiefx92]

If i remember correctly they actually recorded it on the excursion

[@jonberghello6877]

I remember 8 years ago, I was with my sister, my aunt, and my uncle and we were on a trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia and one day we visited Amish country and I wanted to visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad. We had a wonderful time and we were in the parlor car and my sister and I enjoyed a couple of drinks and cookies. I remember on the way back, I sat toward the front on the parlor car and I watched locomotive number 90 in action. I loved it and I will never forget it! Number 90 is one of my favorite steam locomotives of all time! 😁🚂🇺🇸

[@OgdenTunkRR]

It is incredibly detailed and I do love the ghost whistle was a little disappointed in the crew talk which I like on my engines. I thought they were going to use the actual voices from the real crew. I wish Lionel would make more detailed engines like this to run on smaller Layouts a lot of us don’t have room for 72 inch and larger curves As always, Eric good review

[@Ben-Dover75]

Agreeded about the smaller engines. I think there’s more people who are running smaller layouts that most who are fortunate enough to have the space for these awesome massive layouts.

[@johneasterday6112]

I live 20 mins from the Strasburg Railroad here in PA. Seen many cool locos here throughout my childhood. Awesome review!

[@James-Railyard]

Great review Eric! Growing up visiting Strasburg a lot 90 is one of my favorite steam engines. Fun facts: Whistle and Bell #1 are recorded straight from the engine, sadly they had to mangle the whistle recording for the quilling effect, the whistle is a Reading 6 chime supposedly off of one of the two Crusader locomotives. The ghost whistle feature will most likely be a SRC locomotive exclusive feature as during the trip you stop outside of a graveyard at just the right spot in the valley for the whistle to echo back, there's even a whole story to it which is why it's called the "Ghost Whistle." The air pump is also recorded off the prototype. sadly they didn't do the chuff, a huge let down, due to needing the locomotive to work hard for a labored chuff and she barely breaks a sweat pulling the 9 cars she usually does.

[@nicks521]

They still could’ve put the brakes on to add resistance and cause the locomotive to pull harder before it would move

[@James-Railyard]

@@nicks521 I know a few people who work at Strasburg and Lionel brought it up but immediately said no. The guys at Strasburg said they could’ve done it, I’ve seen them spin the wheels on 475 hauling out of Groff’s picnic grove I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to make 90 do the same thing.

[@biggins25801]

Definitely a really well done model!

[@zachwheeler9846]

This is most outstanding non Vision Line locomotive I've ever seen. It's hard to believe this isn't VL model it has everything a VL model would have, amazing details, features and sounds. The best feature that stood out to me was the ghost whistle, I've seen that on steam engine from any brand, its sounds amazing. It looks great running with its passenger cars! Great video Eric!

[@RRIA_America]

The echo of the whistle adds so much depth to model layouts.

[@rabbitstrainroom6327]

This is one of the coolest engines I’ve seen. Love the whistle

[@Ericstrains]

Same here!

[@davidstrainsandlego]

The engine looks incredible and sounds amazing. I'd say it was worth the wait

[@dannyking748]

Went to Strasburg 3 years ago and loved it and loved the measum. Im an HO Scale modeler and i wish they made 90, 31, 89, and 475 in HO Scale along with the cars.

[@Conductor-ky9cn]

Eric, I’m not sure if you know this, but one of Strasburg #90’s sister locomotives, is also operating in excursion service: Black River & Western #60! She was also at Great Western. She started operating at the BR&W in 1965. Unlike 90, 60 is a 2-8-0 and built by ALCO. I’ve been volunteering at BR&W since October of 2016 and am a conductor and brakeman there. Worked with 60 many times and she is a joy to work with. Lionel is also making a model of 60, so maybe some folks will make vids of the two together!

[@Conductor-ky9cn]

As is the case with 90, we currently have 60 down for her 1,472 day inspection at this present time

[@Ericstrains]

Indeed!

[@Geoffrey-we4yo]

Great locomotive. My wife and l had our first train ride together at Strasburg. I will offer some advice. That observation car is run at the front end of the train with its platform facing the locomotive when running from Paradise to Strasburg . Also, if it comes with a tin plate coupler for the front end, I would install that as well, because traveling from Strasburg to Paradise, the locomotive pulls the train backwards because they don't have a wye or a turntable at either end.

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

I LOVE STRASBURG 90! ❤ ITS SUPER AWESOME! I WISH I COULD GET THE 1967 VERSION. BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT. BUT, IT STILL LOOKS FANTASTIC!

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

I went to the Strasburg Railroad on my birthday, back in 2005, July 8th. And I think 90 was the engine that pulling the coaches. It will always be the best birthday present ever. That's why I live Strasburg 90. It brings back so many memories.

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

Can you run Strasburg 90, Strasburg 31, And Norfolk and Western 611? It brings out the magic of Lionel and the Strasburg Railway. They would look super awesome together.

[@lukePMberkshire1225]

Eric, I know you don’t know a lot about Strasburg, but that would be silly for Lionel to put the ghost whistle on all of their other locomotives going forward. The ghost whistle tradition is exclusive to Strasburg only. No other tourists railroads do that

[@Ericstrains]

Yeah but it would still be cool to have something similar on other locos

[@lukePMberkshire1225]

@@Ericstrains I guess you’re right. But I still personally think it should be on Strasburg 90 only, or if Lionel releases more Strasburg engines, they’ll put it on those

[@3dartistguy]

you should run your no 90 backwards like the Strassburg Railroad does.

[@Ericstrains]

Yeah

[@k5rjtxj]

I believe that whistle 1 and bell one are the most accurate if my memory is correct. But this is beautiful.

[@strasburgsteamproductions3302]

Awesome video Eric! It looks amazing! I have the 2000s version! I’m glad I was able to get it!

[@johnandrus3901]

Very nice. They've done exceptional job on this engine. The first whistle is always the most prototypical, at least to my ears. Number four is nice, also. Two and three sound a bit chocked-off and kind of strained, really and five isn't too bad. The same with the bells. The first is always the most natural sounding, where the others sound like somebody is holding their hand on it while it is ringing, making it sound muted and flat. The features on this unit are nice and the attention to detail is exceptional. At least the deck-plate goes all the way over the open space and rides nicely on the tender. The smoke is nice, as it is in all of the newer locomotives. As always, a great review.

[@mootsym]

fantastic. I was just on this train a year or so ago when the J was on premises.

[@Cadeopotato06]

Fantastic review as always. That ghost whistle is something else for sure, it sounded amazing!

[@Ericstrains]

I love it!

[@jamesdenny4734]

"The Bell Tones" wasn't that a musical group of the 1950s? 😁 also, I like #1 whistle the best.

[@s9523pink]

22:06 #3s my favorite whistle, and #4 bell. Excellent video!❤ Excellent ghost whistle!

[@edwingarcia232]

Strasburg always going there . My son’s favorite since he was child . 45 minutes away from York

[@MrStevesTrains]

Nice, beautiful coloring. Just soooo expensive! Sounds great.

[@aaronspringborn34]

Eric my friend how are you buddy I got good news for you I wrote behind the locomotive and some of the other ones a few times over the year since I was little and I live about 10 minutes away from the railroad the main road 741 takes you to Strasburg from where I live. So let me know when you want to come up. I’d like to meet you and we can do a train ride together. They nailed the details on this. That’s the paint scheme I grew up with. it’s a little bit different now with the paint scheme they changed it a few times along with their other endings on and off even with their headlights on some of them including number 94 one period of time had to switch it out now it’s original here is back on. Absolutely incredible. This makes me extremely happy.😀🚂

[@nathanosland1179]

Praise a company that takes care of the customer.

[@nys1072]

4:13 they probably did that to make sure the model is protected because it’s a masterpiece that does not wanna have any imperfections

[@WardsOfDOOM]

I like how you ran, your trains kind of fast, unlike other KZbinrs, who run them at the slowest speed possible. I did ride the strasberg, 90 and 89 back in 2021 so I will give you a follow

[@RotatingToroids]

Thanks Eric! One of the nicest looking trains on your layout!!

[@shafiqshabazz2462]

Eric your a mind reader.... amazing Locomotive, great night run.

[@Fridge56Vet]

Was wondering if you'd get a 2nd knife for the 2nd box! 😂

[@Ericstrains]

😂

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Next release of the Big Boy will have "Ghost"! I'm waiting for Vision release of Cab Forward- could be awhile.😬

[@ericwilliams2619]

Incredible video on the Strasburg 90 locomotive very interesting history on the real Strasburg 90 locomotive 👍🏻✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@RCTanksTrucks247]

Beautiful model! Another smashing video mate

[@randytaylor1258]

With those lighted cars, this is one gorgeous set. Beautiflly detsiled engine.

[@Ericstrains]

It sure is!

[@user-hm5wz7ii6z]

I enjoy going every year on vacation to Strasburg Railroad . My granddaughters love it also we have rode behind engine 90 and boy did lionel do a wonderful job on it .The echo effect is right smack on the money.Also when you go to Strasburg check out the train museum its great.

[@NotGavin]

They did an excellent job on this model! I wish more companies would do a ghost whistle feature like that, so cool! Great review as usual Eric!

[@Ericstrains]

I totally agree!

[@Coolbradandrew87]

This was a model that I thought was cancelled. Also, my comment appeared in the beginning!

[@Mauscmkwk]

They should do 475 with the excavator boom in the smoke box 😅

[@kyletroknya2419]

The people who caused that incident were morons.

[@huntercoleman460]

Magnificent model Eric.

[@ColtonRMagby]

That locomotive looks amazing, and the passenger carse make it look even better. My favorite whistle is #1, my favorite bell is #1, and the ghost whistle is SWEET!

[@Ericstrains]

Cool, thanks!

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@Ericstrains You're welcome.

[@norskviking9410]

WOW! That is a great video. Lionel out did themselves with that model. Id like to see a couple of shots of the real Strasburg, for comparison! Many thanks to Eric for making this video! Big thumbs up! Where did they find all those little people to ride in the coaches?????

[@brucehudson3241]

I like the video, you did a fine job putting this altogether. It is a good looking engine with nice features. The knife thing resonates with me. I grew up a mile away from the original Camillus Cutlery factory and spent 10 years in Western NY State within a short drive of Cisco/Kabar, Case, and Ontario knife factories.

[@Ericstrains]

Right on, thanks!

[@daivdwalker2374]

1st whistle for me and 1st bell 4 me sounds the best

[@lawnmowerdude]

Eric, make sure you leave time to go to the PRR museum literally across the street of the Strasburg RR. It’s a great museum.

[@Ericstrains]

Will do

[@arrowguy173]

Another great review Eric! Love the boxing/display they went with. Truly worth the wait and a stellar job by Lionel.

[@brianlohr3412]

the detailing is great !!!!

[@FordEnthusiast413]

Awesome review Eric!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@kevinmartin9940]

Ghost Whistle sounds great - Bell 1

[@kevinmartin9940]

Well done. Now I need to go buy this.

[@user-ye4ux1hl2u]

Thoses whistles are all pretty good. Usually one will stand out over the others but I would have to try them all over a time to pick one. I do ;like that ghost one.

[@brianfaruol9974]

When you go to Strasburg the PRR museum is across the street and the TCA museum is around the corner. So it is a nice visit..enjoy!

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

Hi Eric. I am a huge fan of yours. I have watched video you have made. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you!

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

Hi Eric, is it possible you can run strasburg 90, strasburg 31 and norfolk and western 611 together? Because I love the Strasburg Railroad.

[@glennthompson7086]

As previously mentioned “ghost whistle’ - the Conductor makes an announcement about the “ghost train” across the valley blowing it’s whistle in return. I’ve ridden the Strasburg with my parents in the 60’s. With my kids in the 70-80’s and with my grandkids 90-2000’s.

[@1940limited]

The Strasburg Railroad also includes the Railroad Museum Of Pennsylvania, which is fantastic with a huge HO model railroad among numerous locomotives and rolling stock. Strasburg operates run round so #90 always runs tender first at least half of the time. The extra coupler for the front could come in handy.

[@TrainMaster1776]

I love whistle number 4

[@franhildwine1340]

I live 30 minutes from Strasburg. It's quite the destination. There's a Caboose Motel nearby where all of the rooms are old caboose cars.

[@patrickd.3681]

Lucky you. I live 9 HOURS away.

[@Mich289]

Amazing engine model ✨

[@cblasius77]

The ghost whistle is part of their "show" during the ride. Pretty cool they had it on there.

[@NhlxJoeJoe45]

19:47 To be honest, bell number 1 is my most favorite despite that it sounds identical to the real steam locomotive

[@GlennFresch]

The boxing for this engine and mounting board with nuts is identical to LGB/Marklin G gauge brass diecast hybrid locos. They know how to pack these things today!

[@brianfaruol9974]

As always. Great video.

[@kyletroknya2419]

Lionel should do a model of Strasburg 475 with Indian Valley on the tender. I’ve liked that version of the engine.

[@Geoffrey-we4yo]

Virtual Railfan has cameras at both Strasburg and Paradise if you want to see how to set up your train.

[@JOEMAMA_534]

I was waiting for you to post a 90 video. Awesome stuff!

[@nys1072]

For my fav whistle it’s a tie between 4 and 5 and my fav bell is 4

[@douglasschultz9808]

Be sure to check out the TCA museum and PRR railroad museum. Last time I was there I was lucky that 611 was still parked there.

[@Axllovestrainz14]

I’ve been to Strasburg and it’s really good

[@DFLTrains]

Great vid!

[@Lil_Pennsy]

Strasburg is my little brother, friend n mines favorite place🥰

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Amazing video 🚂😎👍👍👍👍👍

[@ericwilliams2619]

Amazing whistle echo by the way lionel did an excellent job on the whistle echo 👍🏻✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@buffaloarearailfan9928]

Very Impressive Model!

[@syko-blud]

Love the model. Btw, 90 is currently out of service, as he's undergoing a FRA 1,472 Day Rebuild

[@Ericstrains]

Yep

[@willnewberry9605]

Whistle 4 has my vote.

[@Berkshire1225]

Hey, My comment is on there! Sweet!!!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks again!

[@jasonlitz2907]

#1 is accurate for the engine as well. As it is the Reading 6 chime she wears in normal use.

[@AWVRisthebestrailroadever]

YES! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! What a literal honor to have my comment featured in this video! Currently as of typing this I made this account which is a backup for the one featured in the video, my computer completely shut down randomly and the account is on it, i don't wanna get a new one because i would lose all the stuff i have on it.

[@Ericstrains]

Awesome!

[@Leaden-plural0]

My Favorite Whistle is #4

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

I like that Train

[@aaronspringborn34]

Obviously for the bell and whistle the original from one and one. One of the other ones sounded a little bit like 475.

[@joesattler2773]

Hello Eric, I agree with your whistle #1 and bell #2 selections, they sound the most accurate for this particular engine (in my opinion), When I was a small boy my mother and father brought me into Pennsylvania and we all went on the Strasburg train for a ride, but I don't remember too may details. I was more interested in the model train layout they had set up in one of the buildings. Overall it is a gorgeous model which I very much admire. As far as toggling the classification lights from green to white, is that done with Aux2 on the Cab2 remote? I have a Visionline model which has that feature and can't figure out how to do it. Very nice video!

[@traviscovington4294]

Could you explain or make a video of the pulling power? Like how you measure? I know 20 passenger cars weigh more than a 1 pound but there must be something that transfers. Let me know I am iterested

[@user-ub9tp8wy4x]

I spoke with an engineer at Strausburg. He called it a “Mastadon” but I thought that was a 4-8-0? Jim

[@automan224]

Looks strange without a backhoe in it’s smoke box

[@brennan-p6j]

I want them to do a 475 with an sp 6 chime ghost whistle like when I rode the 475

[@GABOSTRAINS]

How do you put everything on that layout because it’s incredible

[@user-yn8do4px8e]

Really Nice 2-10-0 Decapod I'll say, pretty looking at afar. Detail is bare minimum and I say that because Lionel could have easily added all the rivets making her shine in a much more realistic aspect. You say that there are different versions of #90 maybe only by paint schemes but NOT by look as YES #90's look changed over the years adding and removal of certain area handrailing's around the front of the smokebox and on cab which if you do research, you'll see what I'm talking about. Missing details on #90 major part that wasn't even modeled is the Firebox coal drop grate which is just under the rear of the cab down near the rear drivers used to drop old ash out of the firebox for cleaning. Whistle is way too big same as the sand tower hand grabs. Ghost Whistle is actually an Echo, #90 Whistle is a standard Reading 6-Chime whistle No ghost, Strasburg uses the saying Ghost because they echo their whistle through the valley mountains using that Reading 6-Chime whistle high sound to echo. Some things you may not know about #90 2-10-0 is in its 60+ years of running at Strasburg Railroad she only used one roundtable twice in her life at Strasburg in 1969 running the Freedom train excursion from Jim Thorpe to Allentown PA located in the border of Allentown at the old CNJ Lehigh Valley rail yard at the old Bethlehem Engine service shops, which were removed in 1996 by Conrail. There are pictures of her sitting on the Bethlehem table that most think is Strasburg's Roundtable which isn't true. Heaviest Load #90 pulled in her lifetime was in 1977 when she helped pull 20 of the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum Pennsy Locos from Philadelphia to the Strasburg Museum in a one-shot load. How I know so much of this engine is because I know Family Friend that purchased her in 67. In the early 2000's they were talk about Restoring #90 and placing her in the Pennsy railroad Museum, only time will tell if that may happen in the years to come. Strasburg Railroad since the late 60's use to sell on the train ride itself Picture books of the railroad showing many locations at the time unknown by citizens and info about the railroad, used as a Donation to supply them with extra security money of said projects, I own all 6 books of the Railroad that you can't get anymore. #4 the 0-4-0 Camelback Steam Engine was Strasburg's first steam Engine, originally Reading owned. If anyone ever get the chance to Visit Strasburg Railroad located in Lancaster Pennsylvania make sure you checkout the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum that's just a crossed the street from the station as the Museum has some of the Best Pennsylvania railroad Locomotives ever displayed most known #460 Atlantic 4-4-2 which is United States fastest speed Record Steam Engine the "Lindbergh Engine" at a speed of 115mph making her the Second World's Fastest Steam Engine just below UK mallet at 126mph, the museum also has Best looking GG-1 and one of only two Pennsy K4 steam Engines in the world Altoona PA owns the other one. Pennsylvania is known more for being a Railroading state than any other state in America!

[@pauljohansson288]

First 0:30

[@lornperkins4270]

I love your train sets Eric but i wonder WHY you have so many big boy units..i love big boys but why so many?..and my goodness i saw your vision line model..the price tag damn near made me fall out of my chair..all i can say is you must have a lot of money...its beautiful very detailed..and i love the vision line cars especially the caboose with sound effects but i think that it should smoke thats the only thing vision line forgot to add.

[@SRFan6133]

Awesome thumbnail definitely a change

[@Ericstrains]

What’s changed?

[@SRFan6133]

It was in the dark this time

[@Conductor-ky9cn]

Eric, do you ever get nervous when doing the high speed runs like at 26:35? Don’t o scale trains have a high center of gravity? I’d be afraid of the train flying off the table and onto the floor personally 😂. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool to see, I was just curious

[@Ian-qs3fz]

uhuhuhuh i saw my comment uhuhuhuh that was cool uhuhuhuh

[@wolf_among_sheep7875]

Love mine (90”s version as well), the only disappointment was that dome doesn’t sit flush on mine, heard it’s a common issue!

[@jeffw1126]

Awesome, which fast track switches work best with 90?

[@jameslanders4819]

I think the ghost whistle feature should be limited to just strasburg engines. Just like in real life..

[@firefly0282]

Man o scale is so neat, but so expensive. I wish i could convince myself that i want to spend 1900$ for a model train. Not saying the model its not worth that but i have so many hobby intrests like radio control, model rockets. Model ships. Ho and 00 scale trains and black powder guns.I cant decide whitch hobby I want to spend most money on. For the price of that loco i could buy a couple tamiya rc buggies and a couple of wooden model ship kits. And two or three cap ball revolvers. Anyway!! Great video. It may just verywell convince me to get into o scale. The models are looking great now compared to the 70s when i had a lionel set that seemed toyish.but i loved it nevertheless. Cheers.

[@IndianaNorthWestern]

"Lionel just wanted to get it right" Ok. Tell that to literally 90% of people who have one of these that have gotten a locomotive that is trash, sadly I can't trust your reviews anymore because you always seem to have a perfect model each and every single time and never talk too downly on something. If you're being held hostage blink twice, if you're being paid for these or given discounts on the models to review them, blink 4 times and put that paid promotion sticker on the video (legally you'd have to).

[@Ericstrains]

Wow, calm down man. I get my engines from a train store just like everybody else. Lionel doesn’t pay me a cent to do these videos, but I expect you won’t believe me. I do occasionally have problems with a model but typically don’t complain about it in my videos because I like to keep things positive and fun. If I was to cross over to dark side and start complaining about every issue I had, the hobby wouldn’t be fun for me anymore.

[@MrStevesTrains]

Oh? #1 on the Bell 🔔