Holy Grail Engine/Set Thread - What is Yours?

[catnippertom]

I recently was browsing eBay and found my Holy Grail engine. I have been waiting for this engine to pop up ever since I got back into the hobby. I had this set as a kid and I really want to have it now as a hobbyist. From my research, the type of train does not go on sale often, if ever. Records of it also are hard to find and basically, there are only a few pictures online. This set isn't nessicarily the most expensive or rare, but it is one I have been searching for a while now. I wanted to gauge(hehe) the forum's opinions on purchasing Holy Grail engines. Would you guys put up more cash than you normally would for your Holy Grail or would you still try to get it for a deal? Also, what is your Holy Grail engine? Do you own your Holy Grail?

 

[catnippertom]

I initially didn't want to mention the set in fear of it getting swept up by someone on the forum, however I was browsing Facebook marketplace and I stumbled upon another one of the set for sale. I messaged the seller and I am going to pick it up tomorrow! Hopefully I don't get douped. I'll post it once I have it in hand. You guys are going to laugh at me for this one in the end though I think

 

[traiNscale]

My Holy Grail is the Big Boy

This engine is just epic and i like everything about her. Thats why iam collecting Big Boys in different scales. And next week on monday i will pick up my Holyiest Grail of all the Big Boy from Marklin in Scale 1!

i own Big boys in the following scales:

- 1
- 0
- H0
- N
- Z

and a Lego Mockup that i still have to build some day

 

[Bruette]

I am going to pick it up tomorrow!

Congratulations! I'm happy for you!

You guys are going to laugh at me for this one

I doubt it and if they do...

I already have my "Holy Grail" and I even got it for a fair, but not a great price. $1299.98

Lionel's GG1 Amtrack (phase one) #926 Vision Line with Legacy.

Amtrak® GG1 #926

Manufacturer of model trains and accessories in O and standard gauges.

www.lionel.com

Sadly, mine is still packed away in the box until my layout is ready. This is a photo from Lionel's website.

 

[Mixed Freight]

My Holy Grail loco only exists in the back of my mind for right now. It would be Lionel, and a true 1/48th scale size, 5100 series steam loco and tender. The 1987/1988 version, #6-18001, is a dead ringer for this series of R.I. locos, but unfortunately, it was considerably compressed down to the "traditional" size of roughly around 1/56 scale, more or less. I say 'roughly', because in traditional-sized trains, there's no guarantees that the length, width, or height dimensions will all three be in the exact same scale .

Lionel has offered a really nice, 1/48th scale steam engine in the past few years decorated in a Rock Island 5100 series amongst a handful of other road names, but they are all just a re-branded Santa Fe prototype. Not the same thing. I'd either have to scratch-build myself one, or find something close enough and kit-bash as required. Mainly because it will never get produced in my lifetime, although I'm fairly confident that Lionel will announce a new and correctly-tooled 1/48 scale version a week after my obituary is published.

Lionel's 1987/1988 #6-18001 Traditional-Sized version.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

My Holy Grail locomotive lineup:

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

You guys are going to laugh at me for this one in the end though I think

I doubt that, and if it's something that makes YOU happy, it doesn't matter.
This is the Holy Grail engine for me, an HO scale Hallmark Models Colorado Midland Class 175 2-8-0. I've been hunting one for years, but have yet to find one within my budget. So, I definitely would like to get a deal on one.

 

[PMW]

Some beautiful stuff, all!

As for me...right now anyway...my Holy Grail is the Athearn GP9 I pre ordered two years ago. Maybe one day

 

[migalyto]

I dont think there is a Holy Grail locomotive for me. As a modern present day modeler, pretty much everything I want is fairly well represented.

As for rolling stock, there are a few pieces of modern rolling stock I would open my wallet wide for. If only a company would produce them!

 

[Len Turner]

wishful thinking...

 

[boatwrench]

Not a locomotive but OMI painted 20-wheel Schnabel Car WECX 202. Disclaimer: Photo is of the N-Scale model.

 

[Myrastation]

My Holy Grail is the Big Boy

This engine is just epic and i like everything about her. Thats why iam collecting Big Boys in different scales. And next week on monday i will pick up my Holyiest Grail of all the Big Boy from Marklin in Scale 1!

i own Big boys in the following scales:

- 1
- 0
- H0
- N
- Z

and a Lego Mockup that i still have to build some day

My wife and I travelled (by train) down to Sacramento earlier this summer to spend some time with a special visitor …..

 

[RhB Michael]

I have mine already. That is the Stadler Br.159 Euro Dual. This model has working fans, extensive lighting, servo-controlled pantographs, and extensive detailing. I'd been wanting this since they were announced a few years ago. Mine is from the second run that fixed a few programming bugs. Runs like a watch.

 

[Myrastation]

I think for a model RR, my Holy Grail may well be the SBB Ce 6/8 Crocodil …. I don’t think they are made in N gauge, ut just imagine it pulling a string of CP Rail or Amtrak cars!

I have the Lego version, which is beautiful, and have motorized it so I can run it, tremendous fun.

 

[TRAINNUT]

My holy Grail is probably Two ho scale C44-9ws both made by Athearn, the only reason I think this is because I got them for 100$

 

[NWP Dave]

NWSL 13 Ton Shay for me. I love the stuff they had in the woods.

 

[Rico]

I’ve been thinking about it and there’s actually nothing I’m looking for, feels kinda weird!
My last holy grail was a BN snow dozer which I found two year ago for a fraction of what it’s worth.

 

[TRAINNUT]

I’ve been thinking about it and there’s actually nothing I’m looking for, feels kinda weird!
My last holy grail was a BN snow dozer which I found two year ago for a fraction of what it’s worth.

What type of snow plow was it? Sounds like something I'd try to find

 

[Iron Horseman]

I recently was browsing eBay and found my Holy Grail engine. I have been waiting for this engine to pop up ever since I got back into the hobby. I had this set as a kid and I really want to have it now as a hobbyist. From my research, the type of train does not go on sale often, if ever. Records of it also are hard to find and basically, there are only a few pictures online. This set isn't necessarily the most expensive or rare, but it is one I have been searching for a while now. I wanted to gauge(hehe) the forum's opinions on purchasing Holy Grail engines. Would you guys put up more cash than you normally would for your Holy Grail or would you still try to get it for a deal? Also, what is your Holy Grail engine? Do you own your Holy Grail?

I don't think I have one. I mean there are lots of locos out there that I want a model of, but cannot think of one specific one that is the "pearl of great price" to use Biblical reference.

The Mopac repowered RS-3s with 4 exhaust stacks, EMD E5s, all manner of Hudsons and Northerns (esp Santa Fe 2900 class not cheapo Bachman, or old nasty Brass).

 

[John from Indiana]

wishful thinking...
View attachment 195239

I always wanted a Shay, got a MDC Shay; but it was a disappointment. Bought a Bachmann 3-truck Shay and that was good money down the toilet. A brass Shay would be ideal; but I think painting it is beyond my labor grade. A lot of moving parts the need to be painted; unless you only show the left side and not the good side. My Holy Grail was a PFM Ma & Pa 2-8-0 that I liked what John Allen did to his. I bought one brand new when they first came out. I got mad at my first wife and I taught her a lesson, I took all my model railroad stuff and took it to the dump, including the PFM 2-8-0. We didn't last to much longer after that. I did buy another off of eBay and the pictures were of poor quality and there is a lot of tarnish on it. It does run rather quietly in DC; but I will have to convert it to DCC by someone when I get my layout wiring back in shape.