The Lionel Corporation Tinplate 255E

You might find it odd that just as I start constructing a semi-scale layout, with an intent on modeling real-life scenes, that my first ever engine purchase is a tinplate locomotive. I sometimes think that is quite odd myself, that is until I put the 255E on the tracks. Shes a beaut!

I didn't plan on collecting tinplate until I saw the 2010 O gauge MTHRRC tinplate car, which I discussed a few months ago. After purchasing the 2009 club car, (as well as anxiously awaiting my 2011 searchlight club car) I knew that this collection belonged underneath the Christmas tree. The 2011 Volume 2 edition of The Crossing Gate, The MTH Railroaders Club Magazine, featured this engine on the cover. After much thought I decided that this is the perfect engine to pull the MTHRRC cars. I am not sure if the Lionel Tinplate Corporation will actually release an engine specifically for these cars, but I decided that the 255E in orange and blue is a perfect match. Don't you agree?

The blue on the engine matches the blue on the cars perfectly, which was a concern when I ordered. Speaking of ordering... may I suggest pre-ordering any piece for your collection that is a "must-have." I decided to purchase this engine in September. It took at least a dozen phone calls to locate this engine with Proto-Sound 2. Actually I ended up calling MTH, and requested a list of the 10 shops that ordered the most of this engine. The last shop on the list, my last call, had 1 in stock. I feel pretty lucky that I was able to get my hands on this engine in brand new condition.

 So, I must say so far, my first ever MTH purchase, my first ever tinplate purchase, I am completely impressed. I am running the 255E on O gauge Lionel tubular track with O-42 curves. I am powering the track with my ZW. The extreme slow speed that this engine can consistently crawl at while being operated in conventional mode is astonishing. I do not yet have DCS, and cannot wait to see how it will perform under that control system, but for now, conventional is more than fine.

The sounds are also pretty good. I am very impressed with the idle sounds, which add a lot to the experience of running a model train. I keep hearing that Legacy sounds are the best, but the PS2 sounds get the job done. I am also very happy with the whistle. This is my first steamer with the prototypical 4 chuffs per wheel revolution which adds a lot of realism, especially at slow speeds (which is awesome, even for a tinplate). One of the most impressive features has to be the smoke unit.

This thing will smoke up your house in just a few laps. This is also my first time using Mega-Steam Smoke Fluid and I cannot say enough great things about it. Once the fluid soaks in for a few minutes and you fire up the 255E, the smoke show is a sight to behold.

Another feature I love is the firebox glow light. This is my first time experiencing a lot of these features on an engine I own, because the last steam engine I received was built by Lionel in 1981. Technology sure has come a long way over the years, and brings this hobby to an entirely new level. Some things never change though, like the feeling you get when you set up a family holiday tradition year after year.