Lionel Reading T1 2102 Rambler (Video added!) (new pics)

Rich,

    Great looking engine and layout. Thanks for posting. I also like the bridge scene.

JohnB

Love the steam whistle. Did Lionel change the type of fan used to blow the smoke out of the whistle? It looks like real steam now, as though they somehow increased the air pressure the fan creates. Earlier engines I viewed videos of, the steam (smoke) just rolls out. Even the smoke stack seems to blow out with more force, getting a higher and thicker smoke cloud. Could it just be the type of smoke fluid your using?

I looked around for this engine after seeing this video and noticed that Charles Ro is sold out.  They usually have extras. They are out there, but I guess that is a sign they are selling well.  

Lionel should hire you to promote their engines

Ben 

I hope Lionel will make a Western Maryland 4-8-4 in the next catalog.

banelson posted:

I looked around for this engine after seeing this video and noticed that Charles Ro is sold out.  They usually have extras. They are out there, but I guess that is a sign they are selling well.  

Lionel should hire you to promote their engines

Ben 

I looked around too Nicholas smith trains has some. 

Dave Zucal posted:

.... Did Lionel change the type of fan used to blow the smoke out of the whistle? ....Could it just be the type of smoke fluid your using?

Dave,

   I don't think they changed anything.  I have other older engines with whistle steam effects and they blast out a fast stream of smoke.  Maybe the engine that "rolls" out the smoke had a blockage or too much smoke fluid.  I took care not to overfill the smoke on the whistle steam to avoid blockage.  The last scene the smoke volume was low and needed a refill but still comes out fast and looks real. 

"Lionel should hire you to promote their engines "

Ben....I agree! 

Everyone...thanks for the nice comments.

Rich

And yes it would be very smart for Lionel to start making high quality videos to promote their high end trains. I had no idea I wanted this engine till I saw this 

I didn't know I wanted one either until I saw the pictures and video yesterday. I had been thinking about the AFT version all along but ended up buying the 2102. The Video put me over the top.

Thanks Rich. Lionel should hire you.

Rich, Both layout and locomotive are SPECTACULAR!  Your layout is an inspiration and the locomotive is exquisite - the sound of the dynamo is amazing.  Of course, nothing of this world is perfect.  There had to be one flaw in the entire picture and that is the locomotive whistle - no, that's not "authentic" Reading.  RDG used highly pitched "peanut" whistles, not to stir our primal emotions but to get the attention of the public and employees - the whistle heard at the very beginning of this video is authentic RDG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyx6o1Ob6fE

Of course the peanut whistle wasn't very romantic sounding, therefore, there were often substitutions that the fans found more pleasing.  It did seem incongruous that a huge, powerful locomotive should have such a high pitched whistle but it also seemed incongruous that she should be under the control of a little old guy such as the remarkable Charles W. Kachel but Charlie made her sing, literally and figuratively:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHy4rcf6Xc

I was privileged to spend time along the RBMN during the late '80's and early '90's when the 2102 was in her glory.  Pacing her at 50 MPH along Rt. 61, close enough to feel the heat of the boiler, was a spiritual experience.  Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories!

mwax516 posted:

And yes it would be very smart for Lionel to start making high quality videos to promote their high end trains. I had no idea I wanted this engine till I saw this 

I completely agree!  I think that would be a good thing for Lionel to consider.

Rich, Simply Awesome, and Lionel really hit a Home Run with this Really Beautiful Locomotive. The sounds are incredible, the Whistle does sound really different And has a beefy rich tone and  the chuffing is strong and pronounced and Your Layout is Icing on the Cake....WOW, just for the record, Your Layout is one of the Best I Have ever seen. I plan to buy your video's soon.  You, Marty Fitzhenry, and Bill Bramlage, and all of the other contributors to OGR the Forum, and the Magazine keep this wonderful Hobby Alive, even "Scrapiron, Elliott Sher", It's always FUN. Thank you for the pictures and Happy New Year.....

Great looking northern, but the real treat is glimpses of The Black Diamond

Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

Rich, Both layout and locomotive are SPECTACULAR!  Your layout is an inspiration and the locomotive is exquisite - the sound of the dynamo is amazing.  Of course, nothing of this world is perfect.  There had to be one flaw in the entire picture and that is the locomotive whistle - no, that's not "authentic" Reading.  RDG used highly pitched "peanut" whistles, not to stir our primal emotions but to get the attention of the public and employees - the whistle heard at the very beginning of this video is authentic RDG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyx6o1Ob6fE

Of course the peanut whistle wasn't very romantic sounding, therefore, there were often substitutions that the fans found more pleasing.  It did seem incongruous that a huge, powerful locomotive should have such a high pitched whistle but it also seemed incongruous that she should be under the control of a little old guy such as the remarkable Charles W. Kachel but Charlie made her sing, literally and figuratively:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHy4rcf6Xc

I was privileged to spend time along the RBMN during the late '80's and early '90's when the 2102 was in her glory.  Pacing her at 50 MPH along Rt. 61, close enough to feel the heat of the boiler, was a spiritual experience.  Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories!

I did not know there were any videos of the T1 with the original whistle. 

I thought by now the only videos existing were the T1's "excursion upgraded" to 5 chime. When 2100 was restored at Hagerstown it came away with a 5 chime and a steamboat. Can't tell you where from. 

Thank you. 

Lou N

Rich,

The engine and its sounds are great as are your video!

Neal

Rapid Transit, 

I was going to repeat what Lou just mentioned.  The Lionel T1 whistle is not the Reading freight whistle, but it is, or is very close, to the one they've used on excursion runs like in the videos you posted.  I don't dislike the Reading freight whistle, but I'm glad Lionel used the one they did, it sounds great.  

Rich, 

Thanks for posting.  It's always a treat to see your layout and the trains you run on them!  What brand of smoke fluid did you use and how many drops did you add to get the engine smoking so well?  

Thanks, 

Rob

Rob N posted:

 

.  I don't dislike the Reading freight whistle, but I'm glad Lionel used the one they did, it sounds great.  

 

Can't imagine where they got the recording from. ;-)

Lou N

Very nice! Great smoke.

 Thanks for posting the pictures.

Richard

Thanks again for the nice comments, glad you are enjoying the pics and video.

Rob, I use MegaSteam. Typically I use a little over a half an eyedropper full, not sure how many drops that is.  There is that "sweet spot" where the smoke fluid level is not too low or too high.  I think the last scene I had too much smoke fluid because the airflow seemed obstructed.  When the engine stopped (not on video) the smoke stopped momentarily and you can see smoke fluid droplets on top of the engine, a sure sign its overfilled.  It would be a great feature if Lionel or MTH could figure out how to measure the fluid level and report it to the remote. 

This engine is a true sleeper. Sort of like the release of the Milwaukee 261 except for the price.

I like the Chessie version and remember it visiting our town when I was a kid.

Awesome engine - thanks for the video - this was not on my must have list and I think it is now.

He is another interesting thing about this engine.  Lionel must be Listening.  I have posted some 3-rail scale requests for future engines some time ago.  For steam engines, one of the requests included tight coupling between the engine and tender, which they did, and another  was the ability to adjust the pilot lower.   One spoiler to the realistic look of steam engines (IMO) has always been that the pilot is too high off the tracks.  Well guess what, they made it adjustable!  They made it very easy to lower the pilot on these engine.  This will not be a big deal to most people, but it is to me.  Thanks Lionel.

 Here are screen shots from the new video (I'm working on)

You simply remove the pilot with two screws and remove the ring spacers. 

I go a little further and add a thin strip of plastic on the back of the mount to tilt the pilot a little forward making it even lower.  This actually makes the pilot straighter because it is tilted up slightly before removing the spacers.  Overall the pilot is about 1/8 inch lower about the thickness of the yellow bar.

I think it is noticeably better.  Note you need good track work to avoid the pilot hitting the track and shorting out.  I add some clear nail polish to the bottom of the pilot to help insulate in case it does make contact with the track.

Nice and low.

Man this engine is a home run.  I rather they make 2 engines a year and get them like this one. I truly am dissatisfied with my Allegheny. 

I like the added touch of the cab gauges that light up... very nice... again this is one of the nicer locomotives that Lionel has released this year.

Great pics and video, enjoy!

Peter

Rich, great engine!

Can you tell me the lionel 6-?? part number for it; maybe, which catalog too?

Thanks,

If I am correct on this the Reading Lines was the 5th largest freight hauler during the 1950's and that might be why the Reading Lines model engines sell so quickly. Plus the love of a large steam engine.

Lee Fritz

phillyreading posted:

If I am correct on this the Reading Lines was the 5th largest freight hauler during the 1950's

Boy,,,,,I would sure like to see some facts & figures that back THAT up.

and that might be why the Reading Lines model engines sell so quickly. Plus the love of a large steam engine.

Lee Fritz

Hot Water posted:

phillyreading posted:

If I am correct on this the Reading Lines was the 5th largest freight hauler during the 1950's

Boy,,,,,I would sure like to see some facts & figures that back THAT up.

and that might be why the Reading Lines model engines sell so quickly. Plus the love of a large steam engine.

Lee Fritz

 

Have you tried www.wickypedia.com ? 

Any way the Reading was a very prosperous railroad for many years. In the 1890's the parent company Philadelphia & Reading Railway & Mining Company had the largest profit record of any company. However the 1920's spelled trouble for the P & R.

Lee Fritz

phillyreading posted:

Hot Water posted:

phillyreading posted:

If I am correct on this the Reading Lines was the 5th largest freight hauler during the 1950's

Boy,,,,,I would sure like to see some facts & figures that back THAT up.

and that might be why the Reading Lines model engines sell so quickly. Plus the love of a large steam engine.

Lee Fritz

 

Have you tried www.wickypedia.com ? 

Lee Fritz

Since YOU made the "statement",,,,,,,,,did YOU try Wickypedia first? 

Hot Water posted:

phillyreading posted:

Hot Water posted:

phillyreading posted:

If I am correct on this the Reading Lines was the 5th largest freight hauler during the 1950's

Boy,,,,,I would sure like to see some facts & figures that back THAT up.

and that might be why the Reading Lines model engines sell so quickly. Plus the love of a large steam engine.

Lee Fritz

 

Have you tried www.wickypedia.com ? 

Lee Fritz

Since YOU made the "statement",,,,,,,,,did YOU try Wickypedia first? 

Looks like you have to be specific when going to wikipedia.com

Maybe the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society may have something on their website.

Lee Fritz

Thanks Rich for posting these pictures. On the plastic that you laid down where did you get it? Is it prefab or did you cut it from something specific.

K

Hi Rich, excellent video!!

I noticed that your T1 smokes like a champ.  Can you tell me how many drops of smoke fluid you added to get it to smoke that way?  On your Cab2 remote, do you have smoke production set to high?  Never mind about answering my question on what the Lionel model number is - I found it in the 2016 catalog.

Thanks,