Test Track: Lionel Metro North M7 (6-car set)

[utopaboy9]

That Train just left Stanford to New Haven

[RailRide]

@utopaboy9

Nah, it's still there. Cause somebody forgot to put down third rail past Pelham.

Now if Lionel had produced an M-8, we'd be in business.

[undertaker12891]

do you make the horn or does it do it automatic.

[RailRide]

@undertaker12891

All sounds come from the train's onboard electronics.

[tallsparky123]

nice train set im looking to get this train.

[RailRide]

@tallsparky123

Good luck. I understand the LIRR version is the easier of the two to find, as that one had two production runs. Only one for the Metro-North as far as I know.

[MsRudekid]

I'm sorry but I think that lionel trains are somewhat bulky and the trucks are about double the real size. I hate to say this but I think that this train would look better in Bachmann HO.

[RailRide]

@MsRudekid

It's a starter set. If it were scale, the cars would be almost 22 inches long, cost three times as much (conservative estimate) and nobody looking for a "first train set" would have the room to run it.

[trainluvr]

Realistic acceleration, well made video. Trains are fun.

[marioslicer8]

is it remote controlled?

[RailRide]

@marioslicer8

No, just transformer control. One could put an after-market command control board in it, but the set does not come with one built-in.

[tevin45p]

y don't u use those non-operating couplers to give the trains a realastic distance apart?

[RailRide]

@tevin45p

This set doesn't have couplers, only drawbars, so there is no convenient way to mount conventional couplers.

I had been toying with a method of making prototypical couplers using rare-earth magnets embedded in molded epoxy couplers made to look like the real thing, but nothing has come of the idea yet.

[TheDanrox110]

haha i hav the exact same model in my basement :D

[tycoonkid9]

1:01 PostWar Hornz

[trainman551]

no sounds?

[uniqdymand]

my favorite part of the vid was between 2:47 - 3:00 cuz it seem like the train was going express plus it was going really fast

[malikrthr1]

Man, I have to order that. It would be good and much more realistic. I know one person that painted the engines and traction motors and it looked much more realistic. He did it to his LIRR M7.

[malikrthr1]

I have this one. Is there anyway to get rear lights on this. I wonder why Lionel did not put rear lights on this. The LIRR M7 has rear lights.

[RailRide]

@malikrthr1

First-gen product, probably being cheap. You could possibly find out what parts comprise the LIRR set's rear lights and order those parts from Lionel's parts department, or if it's just a pair of light bulbs hooked into the car lighting, just get a pair of LED's rated for the same voltage and stick them in yourself.

I know of one person who hooked his up with a simple electronic reverse board so his could display the proper lights depending on which direction the set was headed.

[ENTERTAINMENT35]

how the heck did you get this? this is wicked sweet and awesome!! i want these trains!

[fsxlover1]

yocan get iit at the New York Transit Museum

[fsxlover1]

good video but you should alos do the long island railroad

[RailRide]

@fsxlover1

Don't have that one. Not sure if I'm going to get it.

[ILIKEMODELTRAINS]

SWEET!

[antoine2123]

woaw where did you buy this its so niceeee!!!!

[RailRide]

@antoine2123

I think it was World of trains in Queens. But this set will be hard to find since it's mostly sold out. You might be able to find the LIRR version. Lots of the "good stuff" in O Gauge you have to jump on when it comes out, because the companies only make enough to cover dealer orders.

[yardlet6]

@RailRide World Of Trains is still around?

[RailRide]

@yardlet6

I think it is. But I'm not the one who bought it there. I myself have never been there, and wouldn't be in a position to know if they ever did close down.

[mthlover11]

there lionel what do you expect thats why there short

[santiagop23]

Check what I did to my LIRR set ..... put

"Lionel LIRR with rear lights, cab lighting, cab and passenger figures Part 2" thanks! comments are welcome! dude where can I see videos of your non-test layout?

[RailRide]

The "non-test" layout is still at the "engineering and initial benchwork" stage.

It will definitely be the subject of videos--as soon as there is enough of it to operate something on.

[OGICHI21]

You know this train is kind of a disappointment it should be longer and the trucks should be identical to the real thing

[BrooklynRalph]

I have both sets now, the Metro North, and LIRR, both in 10-car sets.

I agree with uniqdymand; Railride and BrightonZach do have the best O Gauge videos on YouTube.

[beatlesrockband2010]

I thought it was funny how the "add on" sets to this and the long island versions of the m7 weren't even $100 for an add on when usually a(n) add on set cost $150 or more I got an lirr version for $80

[RailRide]

Well, the Hogwarts Express add-ons were list-priced at $120. I found mine for less, though.

I should remember what my M7 add-ons cost, but I've been lackadaisical in recording purchase prices lately.

[uniqdymand]

Railride and Brighton has one of the best train set videos on youtube

[uniqdymand]

Railride u have the best videos of train sets on youtube

[BrooklynRalph]

Very nice. I just ordered the LIRR version. I need to get the MN version too.

[zulubeat]

nice!

[cesarisaias95]

You're lucky.

[usuck329]

wow thats awesome

[texman81]

Just curious - Are all Lionel trains made in China now?

[RailRide]

Right now, yes. Lionel is supposedly planning to open a small assembly facility in New Jersey for low-end starter sets and such. The news of such is being discussed on the O Gauge Railroading forum.

[TEMPLE7D]

wow theres a bigger gap in between the cars than the wheels

[521i]

Is this an O guage?

[RailRide]

Yes.

But being a "starter set" the cars are shortened, and other dimensions are somewhat oversize. Think of a Lionel GG-1 and you'll have the general idea.

[521i]

Thanks :)

[MasterKhem]

I agree with you on this set RailRide. Even thought Lionel kinda messed up on the size of the trucks and the length and window shortage, I think they did a good job otherwise and since no one else (modeling companies) is acknowledging our MTA RR's, I got a set myself. I am getting the LIRR set as well. I am waiting to see if any other company will model these trains. We'll see. They made their debut in in O scale which is a plus.

[IVEMER]

i wanted to own this set, but im disappointed that lionel didnt make it proper

1) horn is a mssmatch, should have included some nice railsounds

2) The trucks r tooo big.

3) coupling is bad, not proper prototypical

they even did a LIRR Version but its the same thing as this . :(

[AndrewNeilFalconer]

The trucks are O scale, but the traditional sized cars are less than O scale. It looks a bit strange.

[Jimmyyaesu]

i have this set but the coupling sucks

[RailRide]

Yes indeedy. I'd much prefer regular couplers, the way MTH would have done it :)

[MADSEEN2009]

I know i was here b4 and commented on this vid. But since u know a lot about the model RR stuff , i wanna ask, do u know if Lionel or MTH (i prefer MTH) is ever going to come out with LIRR or MNRR M3's / M6's ?? and do u know if either company will ever make those double decker LIRR trains with the locomovtive??

[RailRide]

No plans that I know of. Lionel holds the license to make MTA stuff right now, and while that doesn't stop MTH from making additional transit cars (like the R-142A's), I haven't heard anything to indicate that either one is looking into additional LIRR prototypes right now.

MTH is going to make a kinda-sorta "multilevel" in the form of GO-Transit style (lozenge-shaped) double-deckers decorated for NJ Transit, but that's as far as they've gone.

[furryfurball1221]

no plans yet for MTH. I just emailed them and asked lol

[aftfnm]

where did u get this train and how much cars could it come with besides 6.

[RailRide]

I think it was World of trains in Queens. Don't count on finding one there though, these sets have pretty much sold out everwhere.

You might have a chance at getting the LIRR version, though since it hasn't come out yet.

The set comes with four cars. Two extra ones are sold seperately.

[travelsonic]

Is it just me, or do they look a little... disproportionate?

[RailRide]

Yes, as well as being shortened, they are also "oversize" widthwise and height-wise. They are close in size to the MTH IRT subways which are closer to 1:45 than they are to 1:48 scale. (except the Lo-V and R-62).

[RailRide]

MTH never had any plans to come out with the commuter railroads' units. They may in the future, but right now they're working through the backlog of sets already announced (R-11, R34, R142A) that have yet to be delivered.

[IVEMER]

this Metro north set is Lionel as well as the LIRR Version.

MTH never came out with their version yet

if MTH did, the horn would've been different as well with some loco sounds and passenger effects

[MADSEEN2009]

I just got these about a month ago! AND notice there made by Lionel. Does't MTH specialize in making NYC subway cars!! I have and "R62" subway set from MTH there are pretty detailed and each Car is heavy, about 2 to 3 pounds. So my question is Why MTH make these metro north cars, even thou I have this set i feel like lionel did not do a good job making them they are to like and not to metion the terrible couplers and the trucks are made from PLASTIC!!

[RailRide]

Lionel bought the "exclusive" rights to market NYC subway models (after MTH made some cars (the 'Dealer Appreciation Sets") with graffiti and lost their license as a result. That's why subsequent MTH subway sets are either pre-MTA models/paintschemes, or omit any specific mention of MTA trademarks (like its name). Yes, if MTH made these cars, they would be better, but right now they're trying to catch up with the cars they have yet to deliver before pursuing any other new models.

[MADSEEN2009]

SO, lionel bought EXCLUSIVE rights to make these "M7's", did not know that ! anyway i herd from some railbuffs that Lionel, later on this year is going to release the m7s with LIRR paint on them, I hope they(Lionel) make them longer and heavier that the Metro Norths! BTW i read that MTH is coming out with the "R142" 's that sounds pretty sweet, even better if MTH came out with "R160"'s !!

[RailRide]

The LIRR M7's are just going to be repaints of the Metro-North version, unfortunatley.

The MTH R142A has already been announced in the catalog. At this point in time they're probably working on the tools and dies needed to produce them.

[furryfurball1221]

Wasn't expecting this either.lionel didn't give any good pictures in the catalog. typical ionel cheap. i think MTH would do a better job, they usually do. BTW thats a pretty sweet looking CP ya got there! Awesome video!

[AndrewNeilFalconer]

The Lionel low end is very low and the high end is very high with not much in between in train sets.

[RailRide]

Leaving that market wide open for MTH :)

[anthonyrmli]

Nice Job! Thanks for the awsome clips. there is no question in my mind now, I will buy the LIRR version

[jackechan007]

I was going to get this set, but thanks to you (and i mean this in a good way) now I'm not. This is NOTHING that I expected to be. Lionel had a wonderful chance to make a great M-7 commuter set but in my opinion, they blew it.

On a happier note I just think I'll hold off until the HHP-8 Amtrak Regional set comes out later this year.

[MartyLJ57]

Which do you prefer; Lionel or MTH Metro's?

[RailRide]

MTH hasn't made these yet (that pesky licensing thing). but if they did, I'd probably go with the MTH, since they would probably:

1- make them longer.

2- use real couplers, or at least metal pins on their drawbars.

3- put actual working tail lights in the trailing car.

[MartyLJ57]

Yep, I guess there would some reworking to do.

[LIRR175]

Interesting video. Does anyone have a video of the HO scale LIRR M7 from IslandModelWorks?

Unfortunately, someone with their subway set told me that their models are kits and aren't painted.

[RailRide]

That's probable. You may also have to find your own power trucks or scavenge them from an existing loco.

At least in HO you can buy power trucks without scrapping an existing unit. Another company is making PATH PA-4 cars in 'O' scale, and you have to do all you mentioned, plus take the chassis/trucks from an MTH Chicago set to power them.

[Trainbrain1949]

Great video. We have been looking over tinplate shortcoming for years. At least Chicago subway cars don't have to be compressed much. They are very short. All cars have to be able to get around 1 streetcar like curve on the loop L.

[andersonjjj333]

5 stars