American Flyer Legacy Berk production photos

I noticed in Chuck's video that the flickering light in the cab is easily visible, and it shows up very well in mine. The cab is very open. When the light is on, the painted gauges are easy to see; and when the light is off and the layout is darker, it certainly looks like a fire sits in front of the two crew members. This is the first time I've really appreciated the "flickering" effect in an American Flyer steam engine.

The handrails are now black, and the locomotive looks like a serious model. I still miss the Mars light once shown on an early version. Maybe Lionel might offer it as an optional parts purchase.

@TOKELLY posted:

The handrails are now black, and the locomotive looks like a serious model. I still miss the Mars light once shown on an early version. Maybe Lionel might offer it as an optional parts purchase.

Yes it does.  Good photo. 

Nice caboose.  I take it it's a repainted American Models.

Rusty

@TOKELLY posted:

I noticed in Chuck's video that the flickering light in the cab is easily visible, and it shows up very well in mine. The cab is very open. When the light is on, the painted gauges are easy to see; and when the light is off and the layout is darker, it certainly looks like a fire sits in front of the two crew members. This is the first time I've really appreciated the "flickering" effect in an American Flyer steam engine.

The handrails are now black, and the locomotive looks like a serious model. I still miss the Mars light once shown on an early version. Maybe Lionel might offer it as an optional parts purchase.

Yes indeed! Great job. Outstanding photo. (jealous)

I note in the manual it says up to 20 drops of smoke fluid yet the smoke unit is the same as the Flyer Chief version which call for no more than 8 drops. I am wondering what chnged?

Gunny

If I only put 8 drops in my Flyerchief smoke unit it would char the wick. I put in 20 drops if it is dry. I put in 10 to 12 drops to dampen the wick if the engine sits unused for two or so days. These smoke units seem to be the same as the ones in the Y3.

Correct, Rusty. It's a former American Models Southern caboose with constant lighting and crew added. I repainted it after changing the end rails to Nickel Plate's designs and added brake piping, hand rails, hand grabs, chains, and a red LED warning light at the rear as was the custom for Nickel Plate. The decals come from Dan Navarre at River Raisin Models.

Terry

@Rusty Traque posted:

I was a little concerned about the sound of the whistle.  It sounds a little too high to my ears, but after checking a couple of YouTubes, I'm guessing it's more the acoustics of the tender rather than the actual sound sample.

 

Lionel's sample that they have used on the Nickel Plate Berks ever since Legacy was born was from the sound the 765's whistle had from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The whistle sound has changed over time, from weathering, aging, use, steam pressure, etc.. This tone was more high-pitched than the more throaty, raspy sound we're used to hearing today.

Received my NKP Legacy Bershire yesterday. I unpacked the locomotive today, lubed it, and gave it a test run. To say that this Berk is heads and shoulders over the FlyerChief Berk that I had on loan for a week is an understatement.

The good:

1. It's here! At last!

2. Operations, sounds, smoke, and all functions under Legacy control are great. It creeps nicely with the "roll" setting.

3. A very good model, particularly at this price point and for the intended purpose.

4. Operates on Gilbert track just fine. There may be the very occasional Gilbert turnout it does not like, but we are generally OK here.

The nits to pick (for reference for a second production run):

1. The unpainted wire hand rails. I couldn't take it. I got out my Lionel engine black paint and addressed the issue. A perfect match. Ah, much better.

2. Smoke may be too strong. The gradation of smoke levels from 'low' to 'high' with Legacy control could be, well, more gradual.

3. The packaging could stand some improvement, particularly around the front of the model.  The scale appearance coupler for the pilot and its tiny attachment screw was not mounted on the pilot properly and fell out of the box. Others have had pilot wheel sets drop out of the pilot. These (correctible) issues along with the unpainted handrails indicate that Lionel still needs to improve its attention to the details and lessen the the tendency for customers to hold their breaths as they open a new Lionel piece (Revised comments).

Overall, a very good job.  As I stated a few pages back, I believe the Y3 to be the better piece due to the kinematic drawbar, better spaced gradations in smoke level and speed, and superior fit and finish. But, for the money (for ~$300 less) the Legacy Berk is a success and a shot in the arm just when 'S' needed one.

Enjoy!

Bob

My NKP Berk the scale appearance coupler for the pilot was attached. Had one tender front step fall off no threads for screw a little Walters GOO was the fix.

Finally nice to hear alot of satisfaction on new products.  It's been a desert for awhile.

I bought an Erie this morning at Trainworld. Just notice they are selling out. These are going to go fast.

@cswalter posted:

I bought an Erie this morning at Trainworld. Just notice they are selling out. These are going to go fast.

 

That's good news. Hopefully they do and Lionel takes notice. More scale stuff!!!

Of course the easiest, and I predict next step for Lionel, will be a second run with new road numbers. Perhaps a Mars light on the NKP? I would certainly purchase another NKP and Erie road number if they were offered. I expect they will be.

Too soon to start poking Lionel for the next Legacy engine? The SD40 ( PLEASE do Chessie) HAS to be coming right??? Hey Dave, how about a hint? 

Now that MTH S is going away, will Lionel pay more attention to AF? Time will tell, but I sure hope so. These Berks are fantastic and it would be an absolute travesty if they don't continue on and make more Legacy models like this.

In the past two weeks I've purchased 2 Legacy Berkshires and 6 of the updated Cylindrical Hoppers. Keep the scale stuff coming Lionel...

I'm not a "S" guy but have been watching this thread.  Some really nice engines!  Enjoy them!

@TOKELLY posted:

I noticed in Chuck's video that the flickering light in the cab is easily visible, and it shows up very well in mine. The cab is very open. When the light is on, the painted gauges are easy to see; and when the light is off and the layout is darker, it certainly looks like a fire sits in front of the two crew members. This is the first time I've really appreciated the "flickering" effect in an American Flyer steam engine.

The handrails are now black, and the locomotive looks like a serious model. I still miss the Mars light once shown on an early version. Maybe Lionel might offer it as an optional parts purchase.

Nice Photo! Can you please share more photos or video of you layout? Thanks!

Of course the easiest, and I predict next step for Lionel, will be a second run with new road numbers. Perhaps a Mars light on the NKP? I would certainly purchase another NKP and Erie road number if they were offered. I expect they will be.

They posted CAD drawings of a pilot with a lowered headlight. That might be in the offing.

Rich

@richabr posted:

Of course the easiest, and I predict next step for Lionel, will be a second run with new road numbers. Perhaps a Mars light on the NKP? I would certainly purchase another NKP and Erie road number if they were offered. I expect they will be.

They posted CAD drawings of a pilot with a lowered headlight. That might be in the offing.

Rich

I too would purchase another Erie Rich. Quickly!!!

Thanks, Jonathan. The NASG website has a section called "Layouts" that has a lot of information on various S scale layouts as well as strictly American Flyer layouts and SN3 layouts. The link to some of my photos of my layout are in this section: Terence O'Kelly's Layout. There are some truly inspiring--and intimidating--layouts to see there. Dick Karnes and Steve Doyle are particular favorites of mine, but don't overlook any of them. Simon Parent, Bob Frascella, and Bob Hogan show an artistry that is Jaw-dropping, and so many others model locomotives and cars that they built from scratch.

The entire NASG website is a treasure trove of information about what 1/64th-scale manufacturers offered and offer still, from rolling stock to vehicles to buildings, figures, and detail accessories. Peter Vanvliet keeps it up to date somehow, so it's interesting to check up on the new of new releases, too.

Terry

@TOKELLY posted:

Thanks, Jonathan. The NASG website has a section called "Layouts" that has a lot of information on various S scale layouts as well as strictly American Flyer layouts and SN3 layouts. The link to some of my photos of my layout are in this section: Terence O'Kelly's Layout. There are some truly inspiring--and intimidating--layouts to see there. Dick Karnes and Steve Doyle are particular favorites of mine, but don't overlook any of them. Simon Parent, Bob Frascella, and Bob Hogan show an artistry that is Jaw-dropping, and so many others model locomotives and cars that they built from scratch.

The entire NASG website is a treasure trove of information about what 1/64th-scale manufacturers offered and offer still, from rolling stock to vehicles to buildings, figures, and detail accessories. Peter Vanvliet keeps it up to date somehow, so it's interesting to check up on the new of new releases, too.

Terry

I thought that looked familiar! Yeah, I love what they've done with the the NASG site. I didn't connect TOKelly with Terence O Kelly... Duh. Beautiful layout!

I am planning a new basement size Hi-Rail layout using Fox Valley turnouts modified to support scale wheels as well. Hopefully I do a good enough job to get mine up on the NASG site someday. Can't wait to see my Legacy Berks pulling excursion passenger trains on it.

Erie Runs great! No problems. A big difference from the Flyer chief. Legacy sounds are amazing. Very pleased.

Hi All

Based on the tread I decide to open my NPR box today and to my unhappy surprise I have one of the issues where the front pilot truck is broken it looks like the plastic axel pieces that hold the front axle assembly one side is broken and the other side the piece was laying in the box. I guess I will call lionel  in the AM  it would be nice if they would just send me a new front truck!

cannot believe wait for some time for this unit and cannot even run it! 

toy1 - Be sure it is broken.  These slide into the truck to hold the axle.  Mine was that way and I repaired it.  Read above on process.

Hi Bill 

yes it is broken there are two bearing housing on each side of the truck it appears that they are glued on or bonded some how, one of those is completely off which I found in the wrapping, on the other side the bearing hub is broken the place where the axel goes, half of the hub is broken if they both fell off I could fix it.

I did call Lionel today and there computer was down and could not tell me what to do, if I do not get a call back tomorrow from lionel which they said they would; I will call Charlie Ro and return the unit.

I do like the locomotive big difference from the flyer chief unit.

@TOKELLY posted:

Congratulations Terry on having your Berkshire photo placed in the home page photo rotation for the NASG website!

Rusty

Thanks, Rusty. I love that NASG website...it's like flipping through a Christmas wish list catalogue to see all that's available in our scale. Scrolling through the "News" section pops up dates when anything was changed, so it's very easy to find the latest news. Peter Vanvliet does and extraordinary job keep anyone in 1/64th scale--whether prototypical scale, high-rail, or American Flyer--informed.

I was looking at Dave Olson's original description of the Berkshire CAD drawings and information and noticed that he planned to have the headlight and boiler front hinged to swing open because they were held in place by a magnet. Sure enough, the front does open. I'm hoping that Lionel might offer a Mars light/headlight combination that could replace the single headlight on the Nickel Plate model as "easily" as on the Lionel O gauge version from 2014. The Mars light operation is only mentioned in the manual in the section on DCC commands and, for now, only applies to the American Railroads version. The opening boiler face is not mentioned at all.

the latest on the broken front truck, I call Lionel 3 times today only to go on hold and then 15 minutes later I get disconnected and they say the mail box is full and to call another extension which I have no idea, so after spending 3 hours today and 1 on Monday I called Charles Ro and they understood and they told me that Lionel is shipping them trucks as we speak and when they arrive they will send one out.

that is all I wanted and Charles Ro came thru!

Got mine today the american railoads one had the same problem with they wheel falling out put it back together and it ran ok for a few minutes then it started sparking from the tender wheel to the loco draw bar also the hand rail hits the switch on both american flyer switches and fastrack switches very disappointed here

Doug-Sr - Check to see if the insulated wheel on the axle is on the right side.  It may need to be switched to prevent shorting.

I didn't have the switch problem.

DOUG-SR

You are having the same problem I had with my Flyer chief Berks. The pilot wheel assembly and trailing trucks are the same on both. Lionel has repaired all of mine and the last one they did came back with the pilot wheel loose in the box

Three repair orders state they had to replace the boards in the engine and the one I just got back is going to them again.I call it design flaws that they did not engineer out of the new LEGACY engines based on the problems noted on this topic.

Gunny

THANKS Bill will check when i get home tomorrow now its a dead short hope the board not blown and the switch problem is on fastrack manual switches strikes the stand.

Gunny the front wheel was easy fix but going to have to send back think board is bad if i can get ahold of lionel my mail order dealer said im on my own

My American RR Berkshire had same problem with front truck. CA on bearing tabs did the trick. Runs great. Thanks for the tip Bill

Just tried to run my Erie. Sporadic  running... lose control... acts like it has a mind of it's own :-(

After all this waiting......

@Erie-modeler posted:

Just tried to run my Erie. Sporadic  running... lose control... acts like it has a mind of it's own :-(

After all this waiting......

It seems like an antenna issue?

@Chuck K posted:

I received my American railroads version today.  It arrived with a wheel in the pilot hanging loose, but I was able to snap it back in.  It has the Mars light which is very cool.  This, the cab detail and lights and the whistle are my favorite features.

Like TOKELLY, I installed a scale coupler.   I removed the tender shell (6 screws), unclamped the C clamp holding the rear truck on, unscrewed the electro coupler from the truck, and unplugged the wire connector from the circuit board.  As TOKELLY mentioned, the electro coupler’s wire connector will not fit through the hole in the chassis where the truck attaches, but instead of cutting the wires, I pulled them out of the connecter so they could be snapped back in (I sell these on ebay).

I also had to bend the coupler pad bracket because it does not fit the hole locations in the tender.

I had a lot of trouble trying to program it in Legacy.  Eventually I got it to take the number ID I was trying to assign.  The problem is it doesn’t respond reliably to my Legacy signal.  I have to try repeatedly to get it to start up or shut down, the speed control is all over the place, and I have no control over the smoke volume or forward/reverse.  I tried one of my other Legacy locos just to make sure something hasn’t gone haywire, but it ran fine.  So the Berk will have to be sent in for service, but I will run it for several hours first to see if any other issues arise before shipping it off to Concorde.

The good news is that I then ran it with DCC, and it ran perfectly.

Here’s a video and pictures.

https://youtu.be/fDktULNZ8Mc

What size is your layout, I would like to see more of it.

@DL&W Pete posted:

What size is your layout, I would like to see more of it.

It's just 11×6 with a 3x3 yard attached to one end. Here are some links:

https://www.nasg.org/Layouts/S/indexKemperChuckY.php

https://www.youtube.com/channe...01VnCBCITGeGg0IyEUdQ

@Chuck K posted:

It's just 11×6 with a 3x3 yard attached to one end. Here are some links:

https://www.nasg.org/Layouts/S/indexKemperChuckY.php

https://www.youtube.com/channe...01VnCBCITGeGg0IyEUdQ

I found your youtube channel, I have so many questions to ask you. I have HO DCC, O 2 rail and 3 rail. I bought some American Models S scale trains. I got the powered AA set E8 DL&W in scale wheels and the DL&W heavyweight car set. Still new in the boxes, I just need someone to talk to in S scale. I want to put DCC in both A units, still don't know enough on which track to buy. I want to stay with scale wheels and kadee couplers.

@DL&W Pete posted:

I found your youtube channel, I have so many questions to ask you. I have HO DCC, O 2 rail and 3 rail. I bought some American Models S scale trains. I got the powered AA set E8 DL&W in scale wheels and the DL&W heavyweight car set. Still new in the boxes, I just need someone to talk to in S scale. I want to put DCC in both A units, still don't know enough on which track to buy. I want to stay with scale wheels and kadee couplers.

Send me an email and we'll set up a time to talk.

chuck7612@hotmail.com

@Chuck K posted:

Send me an email and we'll set up a time to talk.

chuck7612@hotmail.com

On it's way.....

Had same problem with sparking drawbar on flyer switches   Just slightly bend up bar. Draw bar hanging to low. Am gone now

Thanks, cocker and Bill,  my tender was shorting out on the track i tried  making a few a adjustments then it start running if i stayed under 10 volt findley keep making adjustment now it will do full voltage in both tmcc and dcc afraid to crank it up again just wondering maybe a board in side is a little loose.