Lionel - Thank you for the steam effects! (Video Added)

Great video Rich! I was just in awe at 1:30.

The swinging bell is still the ultimate vision line "BFIMO" (no copyright infringement intended)

Very nice video. I hope that has a large reservoir for the smoke fluid. (LOL)

Does "whistle steam" work even with the main smoke unit off?

Many of our guests can't tolerate the "smoke" & Lionel has begun to catch MTH there.

Lima,

  The smoke volume controls will control all the smoke including the smoke stack and steam effects.  So if you turn off smoke, all the smoke will be off.

Zett,

   I knew you would appreciate the video.  Hopefully this can hold you over until I do volume 4.  Yes, I plan on doing it for the fall.  Send me an email if you have any suggestions on content.

As far as the reason for stopping steam effects, I agree with Eric, it was driven by cost and/or profit.  I believe it not just the cost of the parts but the engineering cost to add it.  Its not just a drop in.  Some things need to me moved and rearranged to have it fit and make it inexpensive to manufacture.  Mounting, power and control are probably factors also.  But it looks like they figured it out.  If there is a price increase its negligible and certainly worth it to me.

Rich,

GREAT video! Thanks for sharing.

When I first became the proud owner of the Lionel Legacy Challenger Cab 3976, I thought that the steam effects were really nice, but did not expect people other than RR modelers to appreciate or even to notice them.

Wrong! Everyone one who has seen my layout and the Challenger run, the majority of which are just family, neighbors and friends who are not RR modelers or RR fans, have noticed the steam effects; particularly the steam whistle, and have approvingly commented on them

Yes, thanks to Lionel!

Alex

I am not a steam engine person, even though I do like them, but I am very pleased and impressed with the way that Lionel has responded to their customers.  I think that this is a very positive step for both Lionel and the hobby in general. 

Rich - Outstanding video!  You have set the bar very high.

Art

Rich, an entire catalog cycle has gone by since Lionel pulled whistle-steam.  When it first happened, we discussed lots of hypotheses here on the forum as to the why's and wherefore's.  Eric has reiterated much of what was discussed here a year or so ago.  And the only twist I would add at this time now that we saw the HUGE drought in product delivered during much of 2013 is the whole element of scheduling production time in the factory floor.

The cynic in me agrees that it's always about the money.  But I don't think ANYONE here in the States has an ongoing day-to-day appreciation of the real overseas manufacturing issues facing importers these days.  And it's certainly not a business environment in which I would enjoy working.  So ANY change in production with existing tooling has an impact on cost, production scheduling and delivery time-frame.  Even if the engineering cost and design could be contained and executed quickly, the days of calling "downstairs" or "across the river from NYC to NJ"  to get stuff changed/scheduled/produced in the factory are part of distant memories.  Coordinating any change to existing tooling nowadays is no small task, and it's understandably dreaded by product managers and schedulers Who what they're gonna deal with overseas to get the final product out the door.

So kudos to Lionel for hearing the message loud and clear... And let's hope those ordering the new steamers with whistle-steam will see products delivered in a reasonable timeframe.  As a practical matter, my interests have moved into Standard Gauge trains, so I can "safely" look at Lionel's newest catalog without doing too much damage to my wallet.  I'm only in for the PE 1225 Berk, since I missed the earlier production run.  However, if whistle-steam ever found its way to Standard Gauge trains (highly unlikely due to the limited market), I'd be in big trouble.  

David

P.S.  Although the N&W Pocahontas passenger set featuring the #611 J hasn't been delivered yet, I have a hunch that the J locomotives WITHOUT whistle-steam have been sitting in a factory warehouse for over a year now waiting to be boxed up, with the soon-to-be-made passenger cars.  Were that not the case, it would have been SUPER to see the 611J locomotive produced with whistle-steam in the set -- even though the separate-sale #612 steamer has already been delivered.  It's gonna be REAL interesting to see how well that set sells now that whistle-steam is gonna be a reality again with other locomotives.  Looks like the "ghost" of pulling whistle-steam from the 2013 Legacy steamer line-up may haunt Lionel for some time.

I am gonna wait for the blowout on the 612 cause it will come..Then i add my own smoking whistle ..

Zett, Spence, Alex and Art,

   Thanks for the compliments, glad you enjoyed the video.  These are all the engines I have with steam effects so far and also the most recent steam engines I have purchased.  I'm looking forward to adding the Big Boy, Berk and M1a. 

Alex,

  Interesting that your guests noticed.  I'm too quick to point it out the features.  Next time I won't say anything and see if they notice or comment.  I used to worry about small imperfections or non-prototypical stuff being noticed but later realized that there is so much to see its overwhelming as my one neighbor pointed out.  One guest (non-train person) did not even notice the middle rail.  Take that two-railers. 

Hi Rich,

Great video, thanks for putting that together. I really enjoyed it !!!!!!

I already pre-ordered 4 engines!!!!!!

Hope to see you at York

Alex

I don't know about waving, but I've been meaning to use a fiberoptic cable to give a steam locomotive engineer a lit cigar... I guess I'll have to figure out how to make IT smoke too!