Lionel Pioneer Zephyr Set

I have received mine but haven't had the opportunity to open them up

Yes.  Inspected, but have not run it yet(finish looked good on mine, no manufacturing induced blemishes).

 

While I can live with it, unfortunately the Mark Twain version did spell Huck Finn with only one "n" on the nameplate for that car.  (Or I have a rare variation, but I think I saw someone else suggest that either here or another board over the last week or so - I suspect thay are all like that)

 

I hope to check it out operationally today or tomorrow, I'll follow up if I have any significant operational comments.

 

-Dave

 

I have had mine for week and s half. The set looks good, runs well.  The only issue I had was the horn. It is very loud. I found you could reduce the horn volume by pressing aux 1 as you pull the horn control down on the cab two. The volume of the horn then stays at the reduced level until the engine is powered down.

 

i wonder if any others have had this issue.

 

Fred

Does anyone have any photos of these?

This was discussed under a topic of "typo errors".  I figured it would get fixed in the final production.  Guess not.  You know have a Lionel Merrmac factory error rarity.

A few pictures: 

 

Great photos, but the cars look like they are made of painted plastic unlike the TMCC version, which was chrome plated. Are they ABS/plastic?

They are metal, definitely not as shiny as the pictures of the TMCC version I've seen though.

The train is die cast, 17#. I think the paint looks better than the chrome of the last release. The chrome was too shiny.  This look is closer to the look of the train in Chicago. Just my opinion. Fred

Thanks again for the photos and for the info. It looks like they are not plated but the finish is still better than the MTH version I have. 

Video:

 

Of course the Museum of Science & Industry preserved prototype is great (and the best reason to visit the Museum) but I still like the plated TMCC version. Now, does this Legacy model have metal articulated diaphragms between the cars or plastic ones like the MTH version(s)? 

 

Ah, just saw your video (for which extra thanks) after posting my message. Looks like metal between the cars. I'm sure some rivet counter will point out that the Winton diesel sounds are not accurate but it sure sounds good to me!

Sweet!!!!!!  Wish the video was longer.

 

George

 

Hancock, everything is metal including the diaphragms.

 

Audi, I believe pressing AUX 1 activates the rear facing smaller horn on the loco. There are two separate horns/sounds on this model.

Surefire,
Thanks for the photos.  I decided not to get a set, fearing it would be highly chromed like the TMCC models.  Yours is beautiful.  Eventually, I will be looking for a set.  Enjoy yours!

The pictures look great. I also think this one looks better than the chromed one which is too shiny. I hope to get one too someday.

Nice windows.

 

Surefire

Very video and photos.  Thanks for sharing. 

If anyone looks to pick one of these up, be aware that some (all? - anyone else have an example?) of the master cartons are somewhat mislabeled.

 

For my Mark Twain version, the correct catalog number for Mark Twain is on the sticker of the master carton, but it is listed as a Lionel Lines  version.  (This is just the shipping carton, there was no issue with the actual grey box Surefire included in the pics above)

 

-Dave

 

When I read your post I thought I better check. I ordered two variations. The Mark Twain and the Lionel Lines version. OK I just like this train. Anyway, to your point both outer boxes were marked Lionel Lines.  Inner boxes were correct. I guess I lucked out.

Glad it worked out for your order. 

 

I didn't get the full story, so it could be as simple as just all the Twain ones have Lionel Lines in the textual description on the master carton label, but have the right catalog #.  The dealer just mentioned there was an issue, so we made sure to check to be sure I left with the right one. 

 

I'd guess Lionel discovered this during distribution and gave dealers a heads-up.

 

-Dave

Will Lionel fix the misspelled Huck Finn?

I have one on order and I would like the correct spelling.

Regarding the mis-spelled "Huck Finn" car, I examined the set at my local hobby shop and noted that the nameplates appear to be cast into each car and not an applied plate like you would see on many Lionel passenger cars. It appeared to me that the cast-in nameplate just wasn't long enough to accommodate another letter. I'm not sure what Lionel can do to solve the problem. I opted for the Pioneer set.

 

 

I just got mine and yes, the spelling is wrong. To correct it would require a new plaque as the existing one is too short simply to add in the missing letter. I assume that the existing plaque is just glued over the ribbed side of the car but frankly, I am not keen on trying to get it off.

 

On the plus side, the finish on these cars is very nice indeed although I would not say it's that much closer to the Zephyr in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago than the TMCC chrome plated version. It's more of an aluminum finish than stainless steel and indeed the engine and cars look like they are made of extruded aluminum although the catalog description is die cast; I think that the TMCC version was definitely die cast. Either one is superior to the finish on the MTH PS2 Zephyr I have.

 

I have not had a chance to put this model on the track yet. The two horns, "city" and "country" versions, may be a nice effect, which I don't think was advertised as feature in the catalog.

 

Overall, I am very glad that I got this model - assuming of course it runs right!

Thank you for the info on the nameplates. Not sure what I will do. The Huck Finn book is one of my boyhood favorites. Having Huck's name misspelled is not too good.