I’m looking for an ATSF steamer. I’m deciding between NOS of this engine ($900) and holding out for a future Legacy offering. I didn’t bite on the hybrid because it wasn’t available through my dealer. Any pics and opinions of the Berk?
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Does anyone have this engine? Do you like it?
Would like to see this one too.. Sounds cool.
We have had quite a few on the layout. They are great runners with good sounds.
However, allot of people were soured at the higher cost of this engine with no whistle steam as described in the catalog.
I was surprised at how small they are compared to the Nickel Plate Berks.. but I really like the details.
I have not purchased only because I like the NKP RR berks and have 4 of them.
These are based on a smaller prototype than the NKP s2 berkshire and thus are smaller on the layout as well. This model represents the A1 berkshire which is really just a "beefed up Mikado" that was a precursor to the larger more powerful Berkshires like the NKP 765, PM1225, etc.
Yes, the no smoking whistle was indeed a disappointment for the price on these when it was released. These were originally done by K Line years ago.
On the plus side however, for this particular " K Line tooled" Lionel changed the design putting a LARGE can motor in the firebox as opposed to a much smaller forward facing motor like K Line used.
This large can motor is comparable to those Lionel has put in the larger Berks, Northerns, and Mohawks.
Lionel has used only the smaller motor in the rest of the K Line tooled stuff like legacy Mikados and K4's etc.
Heres a photo ( Not mine):
Heres a video.( Not mine either) FWIW. If it matters These all got NYC style whistles. As of late Lionel has been making a better effort to do "road specific" whistles.
I used to own the B&A version. I posted some comparison photos on a thread discussing the size difference between the 2 different prototype sizes: Legacy Berkshire Size Differences
J Daddy posted:We have had quite a few on the layout. They are great runners with good sounds.
However, allot of people were soured at the higher cost of this engine with no whistle steam as described in the catalog.
I was surprised at how small they are compared to the Nickel Plate Berks.. but I really like the details.
I have not purchased only because I like the NKP RR berks and have 4 of them.
Thanks, J. I really like the NKP Berks, too. I have Legacy #765 from 2014 and have ordered Legacy #757 from Steve Nelson's special run (Mr. Muffin). My like of the NKP Berks is what sparked my interest in the ATSF Berk. My biggest hangup is $900 for a "new" Legacy engine without whistle steam - I really have come to like that feature. Maybe I'll holdout for an ATSF steamer in a future catalog - I really like the idea of a smallish ATSF (and NKP) steamer similar to the PRR offering in the current catalog: 0-36, whistle steam, and swinging bell all for $700. Sounds like a winner in the making.
Thanks, Rick. All the good info is very helpful. Now I'm back on the fence....
