Lionel UP 9000 Opinions Needed

I don't think the legacy versions have shipped yet, the older Lionel up9000 like Lee has has "half" the chuffs,3 as opposed to 6 per rev. Heres a link to some actual audio posted by JC642 on you other thread about this in case you missed it.http://www.utahrails.net/up/up-4-12-2.mp3 Seems like MTH got it right, I'd guess Lionel will too.

The new Lionel "Legacy" versions are indeed shipped and photos/videos have already been posted on this forum.

The MTH versions (#20-3293-1 = road number 9000, and #20-3294-1 = road number 9009), have working Gresley valve gear, as do the Sunset/3rd Rail models.

The Lionel Legacy version has the working third/center cylinder, as do the MTH and Sunset/3rd Rail models, but the Gresley valve gear does NOT move on the Lionel version.

Personally, I have found that the MTH versions track and sound the best out of the three different manufacturers models (in spite of the 'extra' detail on the Sunset/3rd Rail model).   

Are you sure Hot? The only videos I can find are Lee's TMCC version. FWIW Lionels website says the legacy versions are not shipped, due in May.Dealer websites say the loco is not in stock yet either.

I am appreciative of three cylinder engines as used in the UK. They do have a rather unusual sound and probably are a maintenance headache.

The UP made this engine and for some reason did not continue the three cylinder technology.

If you like the model buy it! =) I myself am shoehorning 0-82 track hoping that will be enough for essentially everything MTH may sell.

The UP didn't need to "continue the three cylinder technology", because they up-graded to four cylinder technology;  called the Challenger type, simple articulated 4-6-6-4.

The 88 9000 class, called the "Union Pacific" type, provided excellent service right up thru the end of steam (1957/1958?), but when higher horsepower was need to haul larger freight & passenger trains at faster speeds, UP and Alco developed the 4-6-6-4 Challenger.

Three-cylinder locomotives were never popular with U.S. railroads due to the additional complexity and maintenance compared to a two-cylinder engine. Alco came out with a 3-cylinder 4-10-2 in 1925. Union Pacific and Southern Pacific were the only customers. The SP was satisfied with theirs and bought 49, but didn't pursue the type any further. The UP, on the other hand, bought ten and then told Alco it wanted more of the same, only bigger. The UP bought 88 4-12-2's and set up its maintenance shops for them in the area where the type was in use. This overcame the problems caused when shops used to working on conventional engines had to deal with a large, unfamiliar three-cylinder. UP and SP were the only U.S. railroads to make extensive use of large 3-cylinder locomotives for mainline freight service. 3-cylinder engines were much more popular in Europe. The Gresley valve gear was invented in Great Britain by Sir Nigel Gresley and widely used there.

Here's a link to a sound recording of #9009, made by Howard Fogg in 1954. The first clip is muffled and overshadowed by the clanging bell, but wait for the other two, which are quite clear and definitely show the six-chuff rhythm. 

http://www.utahrails.net/up/up-4-12-2.mp3

>>>Lionel has undoubtedly improved the sound on its new model, and perhaps the detail as well. Before buying one, I would want to get a good look at the detail and hear the sound <<<

I agree. I too am very interested in ordering this engine. I'm sure sounds will be beyond great, smoke whistle is aanother plus, but unlike the MTH version the Lionel original had a tracking problem that barely navigated O-72 curves. 

I'm hoping this one tracks better but it probably won't.the

Also, not sure which detail on Lionels original other then a working Griesley valve is missing when compared to the newer MTH model.

Joe

Here is the thread with my comments/video on it.  

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/5512461208376091

I have both the MTH and the Lionel, and the MTH is far more prototypical. The third cylinder sound on the MTH is fascinating.

So its here. No, not the engine itself but the last day to preorder before the cuttoff and I'm still undecided on the fence.

Love to have a 9000 series engine but just not sure about this one.. Especially so  since I have not heard of one committed soul as of today... 

Has anyone on OGR actually ordered it or should I wait for a blowout sale?

Joe

Well, I'm passing on the Lionel model and am currently looking to purchase the MTH version of the "other road number", #9009, item number 20-3294-1.

I should have mentioned I have an MTH version, too, an old one, I think, that I bought used, but as the discussion I posted about concerned the forthcoming Legacy 9000, I just mentioned Lionel only it.  The MTH  is just as sensitive to the track change problems I put in my video.  I don't think that is a Lionel or MTH thing - just the nature of having such a long, straight set of drivers.  

My MTH 9000 never ran really well -- I'm not sure how well they ran when new, but mine always jackrabbited in conventional - just would not run really slow.  Anyway, I bought mine used,  ran it a bit, then managed to pick up the Lionel which I hoped would run better (it did) and be less sensitive to track issues (it wasn't).  It think looks a bit better and sounds better for sure.  I would assume newer models from either Lionel or MTH would both run a bit better and sound better . . .  Personally I'd recommend the Lionel only because of the additional features (whistle steam, etc.) and because lately among those I bought, Lionel sound has been much better than MTH, even their PS3.