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

Lionel's set commemorating Metro North Railroad's 25th annivesary, with a train of M7 EMU's.

Yes, they're short. Yes, they appear to be slightly oversize in all other respects (just like MTH's RailKing subways). You know what? Until someone comes out with scale (or near scale)-length M7's, these are the only ones out there. And that's why I got 'em.

Performance: Obviously the single-motored power car lacks the oomph to decisivley accelerate the full set without slipping. I guess Lionel didn't test for realistic starting ability in a starter set. Oh well, at least it has no trouble pulling once the train gets underway. After the train got rolling, I didn't touch the controller until I brought it to a stop for the last shot.

The horn? Obviously recycled from some diesel. It's not synthesized, but it's also not an M7 horn. Lionel could have done better--they had Metro-North's co-operation developing this set, it's not rocket science getting a recording of an actual M7's horn, especially if it's the only sound effect you're putting in the set.

Geez, this is turning into a review.

Well, at least the doors open and close somewhat smoothly. I suppose one could rig up a station platform (high-level, please--these trains don't board from ground level platforms) that engages and moves the levers that open and close the doors. The headlights could use a fourth LED up top--a single one just doesn't shine through the dual ports like it's supposed to. And would it have cost that much more to put a couple of red LED's in the taillights of the rear car? I know it's a starter set, but your competition would have done it. The Long Island RailRoad version coming out for next year (late this year?) has a significant increase in MSRP--let's see if Lionel can do better the second time around.

The next time my particular set is seen on YouTube, I may have made some modifications to improve the lighting, inside and out.


Image Mixer 1.7 for editing, Super© to make it DivX. (let's see if making the framerate 29.97 cures the choppy video that plagued my last two uploads)
Edit: It appears YouTube has changed the flavor of Flash Video it uses. Unfortunatey you need a lot of computer horsepower to play it (even at standard quality) smoothly.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• model
• train
• Lionel
• O-gauge
• MTA
• Metro
• North
• M7
• emu

[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.

[Jimmyyaesu]

i have this set but the coupling sucks

[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!

[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.

[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.

[trainluvr]

Realistic acceleration, well made video. Trains are fun.

[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.