ANY REVIEWS OF THE 2023 RUN OF FEFs FROM LIONEL?

My only 'gripe' with the engine is Lionel didn't capture the correct air ringer bell.

No other comments?

I seem to recall a fairly in-depth discussion on these.....but I can't seem to find them in my Searches.

Perhaps I'm thinking about the 2015 release?

https://ogrforum.com/topic/pic...ic-fef-steam-engines

Any threads other than this?

I got the Greyhound 844 version.

I think this run might be the best of the Lionel FEF-3's.

I'm not sure how Lionel did the 'specific' details on the earlier class vs. the later, but my 844 doesn't have the big fat pipe running under the running board on the fireman side that the 841 model has, in addition to it having the Worthington feedwater heater in front of the smokestacks and MARS light whereas the 841 doesn't.

The sounds are really good, even with the somewhat generic Crewtalk. I'm glad Lionel brought back the whistle on the original LEGACY 844 for this run. SO much more unique than just using the Big Boy whistle again.

The new run has the Kadee coupler mount for the tender, which I always appreciate. It also has all the feature switches under the sand dome which is super convenient. It's a smooth runner with a nice gear ratio, and this run also has the back-drivable gears pretty much all Lionel steam locomotives have now.

Negatives are the as-stated incorrect air-ringer bell sound (all of Lionel's FEF-3's use this incorrect sound) and the smoke deflectors being a bit of a chore to mount correctly. Plus, if you run them without them on, the smoke creeps out of the openings used for mounting them. For both 844 models specifically, depending on how you like glossy-coated locomotives, these are double glazed - so EXTRA SHINY you should wear gloves to avoid fingerprinting.

Personal gripe, but I wish Lionel made a no. 8444 version for this run like they did the 2015 run. I still think these turned out great.

Thanks Thomas!

I'm on the fence about picking up 838.  I have the black 844 from 2008 or so and really like it.  It's one of my favorites.

Oddly enough, I really like the looks of these FEFs WITHOUT the elephant ears/smoke deflectors on.  That said, I never would have guessed that smoke could creep out the holes.

Thanks for the first hand review!

So....I decided to take the plunge on UP 838  from Mr. Muffins.

Fingers crossed!

Initial impressions are very positive thus far!