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Don't they know they're supposed to wave them around from 20 feet away against a black backdrop???
Actually, looks pretty good so far.
Rusty
Thank you for the link, Chuck.
Well, there is a new boiler casting and the tender casting now has a recess to place a 'real' coal load. They did not do a very good job of eliminating the parting lines in the boiler casting before painting. My big concern continues to be in operations and final execution. Lionel has a history with Flyer of getting things right in the second production run. I'd be much more comfortable seeing a video with sound of an advanced near complete sample in operation.
Wait and see for me.
Respectfully,
Bob
Do you have some way of showing those photos other than on Facebook? I don't do that stuff.
@poniaj posted:Do you have some way of showing those photos other than on Facebook? I don't do that stuff.
Just a reminder: The American Flyer Facebook page allows one to view without joining. You just can't comment or otherwise participate.
I'm not on FB and was able to view the photos.
Rusty
@Rusty Traque posted:Just a reminder: The American Flyer Facebook page allows one to view without joining. You just can't comment or otherwise participate.
I'm not on FB and was able to view the photos.
Rusty
Really? My browser (or FaceCrap) wouldn't allow me to see more than 1 second before it informed me that I needed to be on FaceCrap.
Chuck,
Thanks for posting the photos! It's more than I would ever expect from Lionel. I'd prbably get one when (and if) it comes out, but it will more than likely come with more electornics than I'd want.
@poniaj posted:Really? My browser (or FaceCrap) wouldn't allow me to see more than 1 second before it informed me that I needed to be on FaceCrap.
Chuck,
Thanks for posting the photos! It's more than I would ever expect from Lionel. I'd prbably get one when (and if) it comes out, but it will more than likely come with more electornics than I'd want.
I'm using Firefox and it works just fine. When the Pop-Up shows itself, just click on the "Not Now" at the bottom of to Pop-Up, it retreats and you can scroll around. It may pop again if you spend a lot of time there:
Some groups, like the S Scale FB Group have disabled this feature.
Rusty
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Well, some of us are on dial-up, and Facebook and dial-up do not play together, not even "well," so these posted photos are greatly appreciated. Yes, I even have a facebook account from the days before they "upgraded" their system some year ago and left dial-up behind. Broadband is not yet everywhere, yet we are definitely treated as second-class folks! Supposedly they are putting in some fiber optic cables in this area so I should be able to have broadband in a few months. . . ??? 37k "speed" is getting very old here.
Sometimes I wish I could live where dial up was the only option.
Brendan
Rusty,
I tried your suggestion but it still either asked me to sign in or create an account in the next window. I was able to see 4 photos, and finally got past it by clicking on the +5 thumbnail. Thanks. However, I"m still not signing up for FB. 
Well, the doubters were wrong. Lionel is really going to produce this engine. I can't wait for the one I ordered from Charles Ro.
Looks like a real beauty.
Good going Flyonel!
Good. Now they can concentrate on the tooling for the next most popular loco, the BL2.
Brendan
With six of the flyer Chief Berkshires (3 @ Lionel for repairs and 2 waiting for return authorizations) I am not buying any more unless they have improved the drive train QUALITY ! The engines do make good door stops thogh.
Gunny
I have two on order. I hope there are a lot of separately applied parts.
Gunny, sorry to hear about your non working Berkshires. I bought a first run edition and ran it for three months with no issues. When Lionel originally cancelled the Legacy Berks I had the FlyerChief version converted to TMCC. It is a daily runner on the layout, so far no issues.
What has failed and is it the same item(s) for all of them?
@AmFlyer posted:I have two on order. I hope there are a lot of separately applied parts.
Lionel's CAD drawings, which they've published here about 1-1/2 years ago, should give you an idea of what is separately applied.
The production photos seem to be pretty faithful to the CAD drawings from what I can tell.
Rusty
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Ukaflyer,
The following is a list of failures
Erie-Returned twice both times for board failure
Southern Returned twice first for board failure second time it quit and they sent a different one
Southern The one they sent broke off a connecting rod screw after 1 hours running. I have yet to call for a return authorization because of the shut down.
NKP Front pilot broke
Polar express smoke unit and board failure
NKP #2 board failure
All the engines EAT traction tires after a few hours running on Fastrack or S helper track. The quality is not in these engines.
I will be buying any new engines from AMERICA MODELS. I have five from Ron and they all are flawless and they have been test run before they ship them to you with a lifetime warranty.
Gunny
Thanks Rusty. If they build the Berkshires to those CAD drawings they will be fantastic looking. I had forgotten about those drawings.
@Brendan posted:Good. Now they can concentrate on the tooling for the next most popular loco, the BL2.
Brendan
You mean, like this one? 
Serious or not, it would be cool. But there's not a lot of room inside for Lionel's high end electronics that a lot of guys want. BTW, this one is my Bill's Train House kit I assembled in 2004. With an all but bullet proof AM drive mechanism, it's still running great. I can even swap in a set of scale wheels for operation on a scale layout. The only electronics inside is a Dalee reverse unit for AC use and a DPDT switch to allow DC operation if desired.
Still, I can't deny that the Berk looks pretty good...
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@poniaj posted:You mean, like this one?
Serious or not, it would be cool. But there's not a lot of room inside for Lionel's high end electronics that a lot of guys want. BTW, this one is my Bill's Train House kit I assembled in 2004. With an all but bullet proof AM drive mechanism, it's still running great. I can even swap in a set of scale wheels for operation on a scale layout. The only electronics inside is a Dalee reverse unit for AC use and a DPDT switch to allow DC operation if desired.
Still, I can't deny that the Berk looks pretty good...
BL2's are definitely cool, but Lionel doesn't have one in O, so you won't see it in Flyer.
Let's see the Legacy Berk delivered before we start fantasizing about what Lionel's not going to make next. 
Rusty
This is what Lionel should make!
A modified Gilbert 0-8-0
See video and details at:
http://tuveson.com/Custom-0-8-0/0-8-0.htm
Carl
Carl, I agree, it is fantastic!!! Lionel will likely not make one, but if you are up for doing another one you have a customer.
@Rusty Traque posted:BL2's are definitely cool, but Lionel doesn't have one in O, so you won't see it in Flyer.
Let's see the Legacy Berk delivered before we start fantasizing about what Lionel's not going to make next.
Rusty
Nice BL2, Jerry. Your paint skills? I say it tongue in cheek, but I do love me some BL2. I have the BTS version, but still need it painted in Monon livery. My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.
Brendan
@Brendan posted:My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.
Brendan
S Folks have been asking/begging/pleading for an SD40 or SD40-2 ever since Lionel backed out of making one in 1998.
While Overland imported brass ones in the late 80's early 90's, pre-owned 25+ year old brass is not what most folks are looking for today.
Rusty
It would seem like a no-brainer but I am not a Lionel or American Models bean counter.
Brendan
Well, I'd go for any one of these three. Note recognition of the photographer for the 4449 & 25 pic. The 1727 photographer is unknown, taken in 1956 at Dunsmuir. I think 4449 would sell like hotcakes, or even like flapjacks.
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@Brendan posted:Nice BL2, Jerry. Your paint skills? I say it tongue in cheek, but I do love me some BL2. I have the BTS version, but still need it painted in Monon livery. My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.
Brendan
Brendan,
Thanks. I did the painting myself and also had to have the C&O script custom made. Stripes are stripes. And as soon as I was finished with mine, commercial decals were made available. Story of my modeling life. I also did a few other C&O BL-2s for other guys, but am out of the custom painting business. It wasn't worth my time since I wasn't getting any of my own projects done.
I wanted to answer off list, but couldn't find an email address for you. Sorry, rest of the list.... 
I thought it was visible. Too late for this topic but now fixed.
Brendan
I downloaded the product manual for the Legacy Berk and read through it looking for mention of the Kadee coupler compatibility that was originally to be included. I couldn't finds any reference in text or on the diagrams. I have a feeling this feature will not make it to production which will be very disappointing.
Had Lionel offered the legacy SD40-2 in S I would most likely still be there in S with you all. It was my most wanted locomotive. I have many in O now. I can’t resist them. I spend a pretty good amount of disposable income every year on trains, and I wanted it to go to S, now it’s just a bit of a dabble in the S waters for me. Oh....if only the S gauge/scale SD40-2 would have come true.
Ben
@jonnyspeed posted:I downloaded the product manual for the Legacy Berk and read through it looking for mention of the Kadee coupler compatibility that was originally to be included. I couldn't finds any reference in text or on the diagrams. I have a feeling this feature will not make it to production which will be very disappointing.
Kadee mounting holes or bracket are not listed in the catalog feature sidebar, either. Nor was it listed in the 2018 V1 catalog.
Rusty
I sure hope that's not true. We were specifically told on this forum by Lionel that these would have Kadee mounting pads.
@Chuck K posted:I sure hope that's not true. We were specifically told on this forum by Lionel that these would have Kadee mounting pads.
You are right, Chuck. Here's the quote from the thread:
"Now onto the tender:
The tender has many separately applied grab irons. There are also separate steps, ladder, and coupler cut bar. There's a working backup light. The hatches on the tender deck do not open; the volume pot will be accessible from the bottom. The bottom has the track IR and a few separate details. It will have mounting for a scale coupler. Lastly, it'll have a separate coal load like the O Scale steamer."
The thread is at https://ogrforum.com/...ire-information-2018
Thanks, Mike A.
@Roundhouse Bill posted:Well, the doubters were wrong. Lionel is really going to produce this engine. I can't wait for the one I ordered from Charles Ro.
Me too!
@Chuck K posted:
The pictures look great, and glad to hear they have gone to production.
I have a 1st generation Polar Express, and a 2nd generation Southern.
My Polar Express has pulled 8-16 cars around our 26X36 Club layout 5 days a week, 3-4 hours a day for multiple years and is still running. The only issues I have had are same as others, the lights in the passenger cars, and the wires on the locomotive pickups. Both problems caused by short stiff wiring jobs. Once these were fixed with more flexible wires all have run quite well.
Looking forward to the NKP Legacy Berk I have on order.
Aflyer
In an earlier "Dave and Ryan" video, Dave Olson mentioned that the Legacy Berkshire had Mars light that would light/fade/light/fade in a simulation of an oscillating light. The 2018 and 2020 catalogues show that only the American Railroads #759 has the Mars light, but the Nickel Plate #765 did have such a light for a good portion of its life. The restored version today no longer has the light. However, there have been a few Lionel O gauge Nickel Plate #765 releases that did include the light and a number that have not. I'm hoping that the American Flyer version of the Nickel Plate does include the light in addition to the American Railroads #759 and that Dave was not referring to just one of the Berkshire offerings. I remember the NKP Berkshires running near my house with both of those massive lights ablaze.
@TOKELLY posted:In an earlier "Dave and Ryan" video, Dave Olson mentioned that the Legacy Berkshire had Mars light that would light/fade/light/fade in a simulation of an oscillating light. The 2018 and 2020 catalogues show that only the American Railroads #759 has the Mars light, but the Nickel Plate #765 did have such a light for a good portion of its life. The restored version today no longer has the light.
The prototype 765 currently does have it's Mars light. As I recall, it was reinstalled in 2016.
Here she is on the Joliet Rocket in 2018:
Rusty
