Considering a Lionel Genset Switcher. Comments from current owners?

I have two! A US ARMY and a BNSF. Love them both!!

 

No Issues !!

 

FREDSTRAINS

Great locomotive.  Quality is an issue. Windows fell out on mine when I took it out of the box and the multiple smoke stacks work episodically.  If you are using it to actually undertake switching operations, I would find a Williams NW2 switcher and add TMCC with electro couplers. It will pull like a horse, run appropriately slow, and be able to handle your yard work.

I don't own one, but make sure you know what your getting if you decide to buy one. 

 

The first offerings were Vision Line, independent operating stacks etc. I "think" these were only offered in NS and UP roadnames.

 

The subsequent gensets are NOT vision line,  lack the vision features, and are priced lower.

 

I've seen places ask VL prices for the "regular" non vision genset.

 

Do your homework.

I have the UP genset from Lionel and it is by far the best running switcher I have ever had. It will run slow and I mean slow, great sounds and it looks cool. This engine will be a star on my new switching layout.

If you are going to get a Genset get a Vision Line one.  I have the NS Genset.  Absolutely love it.  Never had any problems with mine.

I have the Vision Line NS, it's a great unit!  I second the comment about the windows falling out, don't know what they did wrong there.  I have glued a bunch of them in, and had to replace several that got lost. 

 

My biggest complaint is one of the "cool" features is the most tricky, the three stack flappers.  After a bit of running, they start to stick.  I typically use the straight stacks for any extended running and reserve the flapper ones for demos.

 

Another issue is the detail on these is pretty fragile, so it takes careful handling.

 

With all that said, it's a great looking and performing locomotive.  It has the best low speed performance of anything I've ever seen, you can practically run so slow you have to look twice to see if it's moving!  It has a single motor, but is heavy and has amazing pulling power for it's size.  25 boxcars up a 2% grade didn't make it even blink, I stopped on the grade and started up like there was nothing behind it.

 

I have the Vision NS genset ..... mainly because Nicholas Smith was selling them at $589 last fall.

 

My individual smoke stacks have worked flawlessly. Though, I'm not really thrilled by it .... I'd rather have large quantities belching (unprototypically) out of the engine.

 

Mine negotiates 048 Fastrack track and switches without a problem. Though others have stated otherwise. Coupling must be done on straight track.

 

Mine runs very well ... at very slow speed. Very smooth. We use it for switching. We like it.

 

Good luck.

I have Lionel's U.S. Army Genset and the MTH U.S. Army Genset.  Like both of them in terms of detailing and performance.

Own the VL UP version. No issues with my sample. Runs very smoothly. The die cast construction gives this piece a special 'feel' and the lit cab interior and instrument panel are nicely done. The switcher has interesting sounds and the operational stack action is unique. If the flappers do stick, briefly dipping the stacks in some rubbing alcohol will clean them in a jiffy. Flapper sticking is less of an issue when using Lionel premium smoke fluid. Otherwise, use the straight stacks, as John suggests. There is more background noise than normal when power is applied, but this ceases once the engine is addressed via Cab-1,2 and started up.

 

Have fun.

 

Bob

Jeff,

Maybe dig around on Eric Siegel's youtube channel.  I vaguely recall him doing a review of the Lionel genset when it first came out.  If so, he will run through all the features from details to running qualities.

 

Jim

I have the non Vision line CN Genset. I like it. All diecast. Runs at a crawl, etc. The smoke stacks do not have flappers, and the smoke rolls out of all three at a great volume. Not too expensive...I think I paid $5xx on a sale last year. I think all the features of the VL except the sequenced smoke.

I have the non Vision line Conrail version. Lots of smoke on the low setting out of all 3 stacks and the sound is awesome! Each "Gen" kicks in sequentially the faster the engine goes and the engine sound shuts down after a few minutes when the engine is sitting at idle per the prototype. No problems with it.

One thing I wonder is if the oscillating ditch lights are able to be turned on and off. Mine are not oscillating when blowing the whistle, but they used to. The ditch lights come on with moving and turn on front or rear as to direction but do not oscillate. I think they didn't when I first got the genset, but then did after poking around on the cab2. Anybody know?

Also is there a tutorial on the aux2 lighting screen other than the LEGACY 1.5 manual?

Hold the AUX2 down for several seconds, you can cycle through the ditch light options there.  As you push the OFF button, it steps down from on, on with flashing, off with flashing, and off.  Goes the other way as you step up with the ON button.  Buttons are the lower left two on the keypad.

 

It would have been nice if Lionel could have made the marking correct on the NS one.

The horse is facing the wrong way.

 

Yep, that was unfortunate, but probably why I got a good price on it.

 

I have the VL UP version of this. Great slow speed runner and the detail on it is fantastic, including the cab and exterior lighting.

 

BUT overall I do not think that it measures up to other VL offerings, especially the GE Hybrid. Reasons: (1) There is a lot of background buzzing noise when power is applied. This is drowned out by the sound system when it is engaged but is very distracting otherwise. (2) The smoke output on mine is not what I see on videos (includuing Eric S's review referred to above) of other people's models, and the caps on the stacks that are equipped with them will stick up or down after a little use. You have to be careful cleaning them because isopropyl alcohol will cause them to shed their finish. (3) The space for the 9 volt battery is in the nose of the engine but I have never been able to wedge a battery in that space. Other people report that they have got one to fit but if so it would be the devil's job to get it out again.

 

All of these are recognised issues with this model; you will find references to them on other threads.

 

 

Ahh so...thanks.

One of our guys here bought the VL NS Genset and it seemed to have some electronic noise sounds when it was sitting before the running sounds drowned them out. I heard it. Some may not hear it or care...but it was reasonably loud enough. I don't hv them on the non VL Genset. Anybody else hear them?

 

I don't hear that with mine.

 

I heard it on a UP VL one, but much weaker in volume.

Not a problem really, but just wondered. It was kind of loud on the NS one in our group.

I have the VL UP version.  The only VL models are the UP and NS, which have the 3 flapping independent smoke stacks.  All others are standard models which have every feature, except the independent smoke stacks.  They are still nice because they are die cast.  A bunch of dealers were blowing out the CN version (again, non-VL) for $499 in the last 6 months or so.

Thanks for all the comments/info!!

 

I have seen the CN priced to go, but it doesn't trip my trigger!! If it was the BNSF that would look good with the ES44.

 

I guess I'll bide my time and hope a couple more get their prices slashed!!

Up VL and love it.  Great runner.  I am not a

UP guy and still run it.  Now if it had been VL and Conrail - whoa.

I think I paid 8 something for my vision line (note the lack of acronym) and was worth every penny.  Love it.

Here's that review I did...

 

 

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

I have the volume cranked really low on my VL UP Genset as my girls aren't fond of the loud noises.

I have yet to hear any electronic buzz.

Some are louder than others. And there is a period of time between when the engine starts rail sounds when it occurs. I'm not remembering the one I heard as to how the owner demonstrated it, but it was there.

It's not a big deal, just interesting that it was something that other engines never did.

...and I just found another window lying on the track from the CN genset. I just glued it back in .

When I got it brand new, most of the windows were lying in the box somewhere. I never did find one of them and Lionel sent me a couple. I don't think there were any windshield ones loose...can't remember.

I think they must have used better glue on the windshields.   I have glued a few in, and there are several that I can just push out, I'm just careful right now.  I need to get some more canopy glue to finish the job...

 

Oh...canopy glue, eh? I need to get some. Do they have one labeled "Glue for Lionel Stuff that you find in the Box?

That's the stuff I use.

 

Or, if that doesn't work, I use the Testers #3515 Clear Parts Cement.

Got some. Formula 560...white, but dries clear eh?

Question...can someone tell me if the Non VL genset switchers have 'engine specific crew talk'?? I know the VL crew talk does address the engine by it's number.

Also I've read that the hand railing is plastic on the non Vision, is that correct, and which handrails? The stanchions are metal with the rail passing through on the VL which is a very nice detail.

Thanks in advance, Ray

I don't know if this will help you folks out or not? Clean the parts with soap and water then wash off  with water and dry them. The parts may have mold release on them it has worked for me in the past if the parts keep falling out after regluing them. Choo Choo Kenny

My windows just fell out before gluing, they stayed after being glued in.

 

My windows also fell out but I put them back in with a thin strip of white glue. They have been in since.

I have the  VL UP version. I feel the 3 flapping independent smoke stacks are the most interesting feature on this engine.  I explain for the kids who come over that show interest that only one engine of the three is normally running when the locomotive is sitting. This is shown by the raised flap! When I  start moving the locomotive , the load is to much for one engine and the second engine automatically cuts in to  enable the locomotive to move the heaver load, and the second flap goes up also! The third flap goes up when I further increase the speed of the locomotive! But if the locomotive goes down hill only one flap is up.  This saves the railroad a lot of money by only using the number of engines necessary to move a load!! For health reasons, I do not use smoke fluid, so only the flaps  move up!!

stan