On the outer mainline: Lionel Legacy NKP 765 from 2010. Excellent factory smoke output courtesy of 2/3 dropper of Mega Steam NADA. Four Chuffs. Exterior is almost all black, Johnny Cash style....with white running boards and trim. Cab specific crew talk with Rich Melvin's voice....although I did not demonstrate that in this video. Purely personal taste, but I actually prefer this to the 2014 Legacy 765 that I cancelled prior to shipment.
On the inner mainline: Lionel TMCC NKP 779 from 2003. Anemic smoke output that has me thinking about adding a wick or getting a Super Chuffer installed. Two chuffs. My preferred NKP painting that has very subtle graphite grey on the smoke box and the firebox. (As opposed to the 2014 Legacy 765 that has a very pronounced, more vibrant grey.) While not visible in the video, the 2003 TMCC 779 has the proper "font size" on the lettering which appears on the tender and the sand dome. I'm able to see the larger font size better from across the room.....so I never really cared.
While the Legacy model is clearly superior in almost every way, the bigger picture is this: Both models are worlds ahead of the 1982 Lionel NKP 779 (#8215), which is a repainted 736 Berk with the "mighty sound of steam" and who knows what puff rate.....that sits on a shelf all the time because I just can't bear to run it any more after being spoiled with these two models.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
-Tony
