Just received an e-mail from Mike Reagan at Lionel who said the Lionel Legacy UP 9000 series locos will have a working 3rd cylinder.
Eliot
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Now THAT is interesting. Wonder how they are doing it, since on their previously issued UP 9000 class models, the valve gear assembly on the pilot been (between the two outside valve chests), didn't work/move. Also wonder how they will do the "out-of-sync" typical "6-beet exhaust" sound.
The original version has a working 3rd cylinder. the question is will it have operating Gresley valve gear on the pilot deck?
Aha . . . . . I thought the "cylinder" was part of the Gresley valve gear question I asked Mike. Soooooo, we wait again.
Eliot
Dumb question....didn't MTH have all of the proper parts working in its model??
Alan
Also the 9004 was called the traveler, various experimental devises on it (if i recall correctly.) Pretty sure it had a booster on the front tender truck also at one time.
Originally Posted by leavingtracks:
Dumb question....didn't MTH have all of the proper parts working in its model??
Alan
Definitely NOT a dumb question! Yes indeed, MTH surely go the "Union Pacific" type operating details AND sound correct. Although the model first came out with the "standard" UP "Big Engine" whistle sound, i.e 4-8-4s, 4-6-6-4s, and 4-8-8-4s deep whistle, MTH quickly offered an optional sound set with the CORRECT UP "Star Brass" chime whistle (all you had to do was down=load it into your model).
The MTH version is every bit as nicely detailed as the Sunset/3rd Rail brass model, AND has the best three-cylinder exhaust sound set I have ever heard in a model.
Thanks Hot Water.....I have the U.P. model and it is one of my favorites. I was fairly sure that MTH had accomplished all of the working parts correctly but wasn't absolutely sure so your info is appreciated. By the way.....reading your "bio" is almost exactly like I would have to write mine!! Love high end stereo/surround...and use my Carver Amazings and Polk SRS SDAs for "therapy" nearly everyday!
Alan
What concerns me more than the working third cylinder is the sound. I've come to expect really great things from Lionel sound recently, so I assume the 9000 would have really fantastic three-cylinder sound: different than two-cylinder and different from four cylinder artciulated locos, too. I have the older model and it is pretty good actually, and am not that inclined to buy the new when there is so much (the 3700 SF, etc.) that I have yet to buy the first of . . . still, if the sound is spectacular, I might.
Frankly, I have no idea what the actual 9000 sounded like . . . if the Gresley gear made it sound different, etc., so I would not know . . .
I would be really surprised if they are having problems making the Gresley work. I have done three 3- cylinder models with Gresley, and making it wiggle is trivial. The center rod is not trivial, since the axle needs to be cranked. I get around that by restricting the motion so the forward axle can be straight, and by using an eccentric on the second axle. You cannot tell when the thing is running.
So will we be able to see anything? from the outside?
I had an HO brass engine with a working 3 rd cylinder... problem was you could not see it!
The synchronized sound would be cool, and would definitely have me 'running' to the hobby shop again.
Originally Posted by Scrapiron Scher:
Just received an e-mail from Mike Reagan at Lionel who said the Lionel Legacy UP 9000 series locos will have a working 3rd cylinder.
Eliot
Good news....
To answer J Daddy and rthomps together, the "working 3rd cylinder" isn't really visible from the outside, on either the first run of Lionel, or Sunset/3rd Rail models. However, what IS visible is the non-moving front valve gear on the early issued Lionel models. Both the Sunset/3rd Rail and MTH models have visibly moving valve gear for the center, 3rd cylinder.
Thus, Mike Reagan's comment may or may not be important, if he was/is referring to JUST the "working" center cylinder, and NOT the external, front Gresley Valve Gear.
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
Well looks like Lego did it...
the third cylinder is wrapped / buried on the front wheel axles....
Well yea, it's VERY easy to see WITHOUT THE BOILER ON.
By the way, how does that Lego piece run and sound?
Heck if I know, I thought you could tell us. 
How about a model of a 9000 as rebuilt with double valve on the enginners side.
Or a model of a 2-8-8-0 rebuilt as a simple.
"Frankly, I have no idea what the actual 9000 sounded like . . . if the Gresley gear made it sound different, etc., so I would not know . . .""
Here you go. Very unique sounds for sure..
Sounds to me like one angry sounding, snorting smoke belching monster of an engine..
Joe
I guess the answer to the question is in the catalog description.
"True to the prototype, the Lionel 4-12-2 includes detailed Gresley valve gear in front of the third cylinder and an operational, reciprocating third drive rod in the locomotive frame." So apparently the Gresley valve gear is "DETAILED" where as the thied drive rod is "OPERATIONAL."
Originally Posted by PRRronbh:
I guess the answer to the question is in the catalog description.
"True to the prototype, the Lionel 4-12-2 includes detailed Gresley valve gear in front of the third cylinder and an operational, reciprocating third drive rod in the locomotive frame." So apparently the Gresley valve gear is "DETAILED" where as the thied drive rod is "OPERATIONAL."
Excellent observation! So,,,,,just like the first model Lionel issued, this new one will NOT have working/moving Gresley valve gear equipment.
Sure hope they get the exhaust and whistle sounds correct. Most folks couldn't tell if the Gresley gear was moving or not anyway, when the locomotive passes.
