A LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF THE VL GENSET SWITCHER

I was really impressed over those opening doors. They look really good from here!

There have been other posts about the engine having 3 smoke units. I think that is also impressive. This engine didn't get all the full hype that their diecast ES44 did.

I would have bought this but I grew tired of converting stuff to 2 rail. Some didn't go so well. I have too many to run anyways.

Very nice again Alex!

Thanks @Alex M, always enjoy watching your videos.  I know these are good, slow runners.  Any chance you could determine the gear ratio on this while you have the hood off?  Thanks again for sharing!

Alex

Thanks for sharing. Would like to see a video of the engine running with smoke on and interested in how many AMP's that engine draws. In comparison to the MTH Genset which has only one smoke unit and a channel for the Smoke fluid to traverse to get to the smoke unit. I find the smoke fluid never get to the wicking. The only way to prime that engine for smoke is to take off the cab and prime the unit directly. With that effort I have given up on it being a smoke and run without smoke. However when this engine does smoke its really impressing with 3 stacks billowing.

Steve

I love the Genset, it's cool to see it cycle between the prime movers and different stacks come alive.  My one gripe is the smoke stacks with the flappers are very finicky, I just use them for demos, if I want to run it, I use the straight stacks.

Thanks Alex, I agree with GRJ, they are a really cool engine, there is or was a US Army  Genset being used out at the Fort Bliss Military Post.  I love these engines, I have an MTH in the UP and would like to get the other number that came out at the same time.  One of these days.  I'm going to have to look for one of these and maybe I'll get lucky and find one.

Thanks for the post and video.

I heard that the UP Gensets actually ended up being unreliable, but the models are cool.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I love the Genset, it's cool to see it cycle between the prime movers and different stacks come alive.  My one gripe is the smoke stacks with the flappers are very finicky, I just use them for demos, if I want to run it, I use the straight stacks.

I wish I could get some of the original flapper smoke chimneys. The UP Genset I got used had them somewhat crushed so I had to superglue them partially open to look sort of prototypical.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I heard that the UP Gensets actually ended up being unreliable, but the models are cool.

The one I got used had a short from a smoke resistor to the smoke chamber which melted a quantity of the tightly bundled wiring. I completely rewired the engine back to stock by buying various wire harnesses from Lionel and making original harnesses. Perhaps the tight quarters in the engine is responsible for some of the issues.

It is a tight fit for all the stuff.  I treat my original flapper stacks with care, they're very fragile.

Folks,

If you want some background on the two  VL Gensets, Run 308, the October/November 2019 issue of OGR, has a Collector's Gallery article that provides a fair amount of information on the Vision Line Gensets.

I know this to be true because I am very close to the author

Ed Boyle

Hmm...  Picture on the article looks really familiar!

Hi Guys ,

I'm still having a few issues with the smoke units on this engine, once i have it resolved i will post a video of it in action, and answer everyone's questions. 

Thanks, Alex

I also have a Lionel VL Geset 6-28323 opened up right now so I should check my smoke units.  I typically use Mike Reagen technique of spreading open a string of Lionel smoke batting.  Will these units take a whole Lionel smoke batting strand?  I don't want to overstuff the unit.  Also, I've seen maybe some sealant, like black Permatex, on this style of smoke.  Do they need fresh coat of sealant if I open them up?