Ranking Lionel's Fantasy schemes (part 1)

 Depending on who you ask, Lionel's fantasy paint for their Legacy engines are either the best thing since sliced bread, or proof that Lionel has lost their way and either need to get it together or get out of Model Railroading. 

As I've mentioned before on this blog, I have a soft spot for model train fantasy schemes. I'm all for realism in model railroading, but there's nothing wrong with there being a good Christmas train set here or a fantasy of a paint scheme there. 

This blog is gonna work similar to my Fantasy paint schemes for Broadway Limited Imports fantasy paint scheme rankings. 5 steam engines, 5 diesels. Said fantasy paint schemes are only going to be those from Lionel's Legacy and Lion Master series, and I'll try to cover ones that are either currently on sale as of this blog, or soon to be. 

Steam engines 

1. Twilight Limited 

Yes I know how cheap it is to start off with a holiday train, but I can't help but give Lionel their flowers. I know Halloween and trains don't go quite as well as Christmas and trains, but Lionel knows how to make some decent Halloween trains. 

I honestly wish the Twilight limited was real. I'd love to see this massive but eerie steam engine rolling down the tracks carrying cars decorated for Halloween. At least on your own personal layout you can make that a reality. 

Rating: A+

2. C&O Legacy Allegheny

I really do like the C&O silver and orange scheme. Orange and silver might seem like an odd pair to have a train be colored as, but I personally like the scheme. 

Rating: A

3: Pennsylvania K4 red scheme 

On one hand I don't mind this scheme, on the other the 611 J-class looks better with the red stripe on the side in my opinion, and this engine doesn't really have much else going for it. 

Rating: B-

4. Southern Pacific Daylight S2 #800

Yes I know it's not the 4449 Southern Pacific, but this also isn't the worst choice of engine to give that scheme to either. I'd at least give this train some Southern Pacific box cars with a caboose to pull around the layout. 

Rating: A-

5: Polar Express Big Boy

Look I'm a fan of the Pere Marquette (the type of train the OG Polar Express was) as much as the next guy, but do you know how much more epic the movie would be if the kid woke up to see a Big Boy coming down his street? 

Also I'm sorry but the Big Boy really does look good in this shade of blue. 

Rating: A+

Diesels 

1. Area 51 ET44

It's really hard for me to hate some of Lionel's fantasy schemes when some of them are just so dang fun. From the Area 51 Railroad on the side of the diesel to the X51 numbering, this engine is just too cool not to try and get into your collection. 

Rating: A+

2. Lionel Lines SD38 

While I don't mind the orange on this train, it does feel kind of bare. Yes Lionel I know Orange is your companies color, but couldn't we add just a tad bit more blue in there? 

Rating: C

3. Lionel Lines (Patriotic scheme)

Now we're talking! Soft spot for patriotic scheme's aside, I just really like how much there is to look at. From the red and white stars on the side of the engine to the USA and American flag on the front, this engine is begging to be run with patriotic cars behind it. 

Rating: A+

4. The Midnight Flyer 

Again, Lionel knows how to make some decent Halloween trains. The Midnight Flyer looks as spooky as it does beautiful with the purple nose and spiderwebs decorating the side of the engine. The train would be more then happy to run in your Halloween village. 

Rating: A+

5. Polar Express E7AA

Yes I know, this and the Big Boy from the steam section are proof that Lionel's milking the Polar Express for all she's worth. 

A: that's been the case for a while now. 

B: I honestly do like the idea of a Polar Express diesel streamline engine, and this one certainly seems to capture the spirit of Christmas and the movie. 

Rating: A

So which fantasy schemes were your favorite and do you have any of the ones mentioned in this blog? Let me know in the comments below.