Lionel Legacy C&O Berkshire 2696

I'm not 100% sure about Korea, but this is one of the first Legacy equipped steamers which means, it is one of the last to have a Pittman can motor in it.

See here:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...LOCO-ONLY-6101129001

On a side note. These are also one of the engines that came equipped with a 6ohm smoke resistor which taxed the regulator.

It is recommended that the 6ohm resistor get changed to an 8 ohm.

Thanks Rick!

This is a surprisingly tough choice.  2699 was one of the last TMCC locos.  RS 5, good smoke, I think made in Korea.  Only thing missing is four chuffs, me thinks.  Lots of them out there.

The 2696 is an early Legacy item.....which means I like it more than current Legacy.

I just picked up a C&O George Washington 4-6-2 on Da' Bay that was late TMCC.....even has five chuffs.  Waiting anxiously for its arrival.

@RickO posted:

I'm not 100% sure about Korea, but this is one of the first Legacy equipped steamers which means, it is one of the last to have a Pittman can motor in it.

See here:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...LOCO-ONLY-6101129001

On a side note. These are also one of the engines that came equipped with a 6ohm smoke resistor which taxed the regulator.

It is recommended that the 6ohm resistor get changed to an 8 ohm.

Was the first Legacy UP 844 in that 6 ohm vs. 8 ohm category?

That's still one of my favorites.  Just keeps on running like a champ.

I'd go for the 2696 if you can find one. It'll be a smoother runner, but still has a bullet proof powertrain.

They are harder to find being as they were only offered in the set, and there was no separate sale Legacy version.

Those C&O Pacific's are one of Lionels best efforts in the detail dept, also a solid runner.

It will be interesting to see what "changes" in the new Legacy ones coming out. Regardless , we know it won't be Pittman powered.

Good luck on your search for the 2696!

@Berkshire President posted:

Was the first Legacy UP 844 in that 6 ohm vs. 8 ohm category?

That's still one of my favorites.  Just keeps on running like a champ.

Yep, sure was, you should change that to an 8 ohm as if the regulator dies, no more smoke!  The parts aren't available to fix that one either.

@Berkshire President posted:

Was the first Legacy UP 844 in that 6 ohm vs. 8 ohm category?

That's still one of my favorites.  Just keeps on running like a champ.

I believe so. These first gen Legacy steamers are some of Lionels best smokers, thanks to the 6 ohm resistor.

Avoid the TMCC C&O Berkshire unless you can get a Legacy shell for it. They suffer from severe zinc rot. Just repaired one a few months ago. Otherwise the chassis is bulletproof.

Pete

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Yep, sure was, you should change that to an 8 ohm as if the regulator dies, no more smoke!  The parts aren't available to fix that one either.

I'm the second owner.  I got mine from a Forum Member seemingly forever ago.

I believe that it had to go back to Lionel for a smoke unit repair.  I think....emphasis on think....it got converted at that time, now that we're talking about it.  Sounds like an excuse to pop the shell.

Is a new regulator part of the Chuffer or Supper Chuffer?  Or do they depend on the factory regulator?

EBAY LINK REMOVED per OGR TOS

I had the Berkshire 2699. Great engine. I did have to replace shell with later model legacy. Great engine and smoker.

Ps it does have Pittman motor.

Mind what Pete (Norton) said about zinc pest.  Yes, it does have a Pittman motor, but the 2696 lacks the back-drivable gears found on later Legacy models.  Personally I have an 11203 Berk that has back-drivable gears AND dual flywheels, it can coast with the most!

Back-drivable gears are one of the things that makes Legacy so good.  Personally I would hold out for the later issue.  My $.02.

@Ted S posted:

Mind what Pete (Norton) said about zinc pest.  Yes, it does have a Pittman motor, but the 2696 lacks the back-drivable gears found on later Legacy models.  Personally I have an 11203 Berk that has back-drivable gears AND dual flywheels, it can coast with the most!

Back-drivable gears are one of the things that makes Legacy so good.  Personally I would hold out for the later issue.  My $.02.

I have an NKP 765 from that run of Berkshires.  One of may favorite locos.  That's Lionel's best 765....IMHO.

My George Washington C&O Pacific #494 just arrived.  Still need to lube everything......but all features seem to work....and it doesn't look like it was run at all.  Loco and tender appear to have survived shipping all in tact.

Will probably start hunting for the 2696 instead of the 2699.  Not sure whether I'll seek just the 2696 or the entire set.....including the Legacy remote and base.  I don't have a grasp on

Not sure what either are selling for these days.

I had a 2696 some years ago bought used and it had a 'leak' in the smoke delivery where much of it wafed out from under the boiler.

@Berkshire President posted:

Thanks Rick!

This is a surprisingly tough choice.  2699 was one of the last TMCC locos.  RS 5, good smoke, I think made in Korea.  Only thing missing is four chuffs, me thinks.  Lots of them out there.

The 2696 is an early Legacy item.....which means I like it more than current Legacy.

I just picked up a C&O George Washington 4-6-2 on Da' Bay that was late TMCC.....even has five chuffs.  Waiting anxiously for its arrival.

Am a little confused about 'early Legacy'. Aren't some of the boards unavailable now and if so, what do you do if/when they go out?

@c.sam posted:

Am a little confused about 'early Legacy'. Aren't some of the boards unavailable now and if so, what do you do if/when they go out?

I like that they were made in Korea, have a Pitman motor, loco specific crew sounds, etc.

But your point on the boards is well taken.  Very much so.

My last three "new from Big Orange" all had to go back to the fac-tree under warranty to get their boards replaced.....FWIW.  Two were Vision Line Steamers (3985 & 4449) and one was a Legacy Santa Fe 5011.

At this point. I'm much more worried about the gearboxes failing on my newer stuff than the boards going out on my 10+ year old stuff.

If a board goes, there's folks on the forum that can keep it going, worst case with a different sound set.

When these new el cheapo gearboxes go bad , the only solution will be a whole new chassis from Lionel, provided they have them.

@c.sam posted:

Am a little confused about 'early Legacy'. Aren't some of the boards unavailable now and if so, what do you do if/when they go out?

You replace the electronics!  The early Legacy, anything with the modular boards, no longer have the R4LC, DCDS-J, Railsounds boards, etc. available, they were all unceremoniously purged from the website a while back.  Welcome to the new world of customer support.

@Berkshire President posted:

My George Washington C&O Pacific #494 just arrived.  Still need to lube everything......but all features seem to work....and it doesn't look like it was run at all.  Loco and tender appear to have survived shipping all in tact.

How about some pictures?

Mark in Oregon

Well.....I did take some last night, although they are not the greatest photos.