Lionel Vision Line Crane Cars?

If anyone actually has one of these, how much different are the sounds over the older TMCC crane boom cars?

The cranes are Legacy, not VL.

Shipping shows delivery 5/2016.

I'd just like to upgrade my boom car if the Legacy sounds are significantly better than the TMCC model.  I can't see them doing a whole lot with the functionality of the crane, so I'd keep that.

Hello all. I've been following the saga of these two operating cars closely because the shipping dates have moved around something cruel. Also these were the only products I had the chance to ask Mike Reagan about York before last.

GRJ, MR said that the "Legacy" aspect of the sound is the quillable horn - I'm not sure any of the new boom cars has a steam whistle sound whereas some of the TMCC sets did. Actually the TMCC sounds are very good so realistically I don't expect - or want - Lionel to change them much. (There were other issues with the crane that I hope they have addressed.)

Some time back Lionel reported on this forum that they were working on compatibility between the Legacy boom cars and TMCC cranes. Not heard anything about how that has been implemented if it has.

In a recent thread here MR said that the boom cars would ship when the cranes do in May as who wants a boom car without a crane? Well my SP boom car is at Nassau Hobbies and ships today!

I'm not at all surprised the cranes are delayed. Inside the TMCC versions are the most complicated operating rolling stock I have ever seen. I can imagine it is a nightmare getting these manufactured.

The crane is one complicated item, and if you have ever had to restring one, you know just how complicated it is!   It is a very intricate item, way more trouble to work on than a locomotive of any type. 

I doubt I'd by the Legacy boom car just for the quillable horn.  Besides, I have the steam version.

I have a first run Pennsy with the steam whistle boom car.  It had issues, for some insane reason I turned it around, thinking I could fix something, which was not going to happen anyway, the cables came loose and I remember being up till 2 am till I got it back restrung properly.  I finally sent mine into Lionel and it worked perfectly since then.  The whistle kind of has a quill to it anyway.  Not sure how you can improve that.  The laborer's voice can be annoying at first, but anyone who has worked on the job learns to live with guys like that.  As long as it pays.

Hancock52 posted:

Actually the TMCC sounds are very good so realistically I don't expect - or want - Lionel to change them much. (There were other issues with the crane that I hope they have addressed.)

Issues with the previous releases of the crane? Or, issues in the ones in production now? I didn't have issues with my TMCC crane. (that I know of?? lol)

gunrunnerjohn posted:

The crane is one complicated item, and if you have ever had to restring one, you know just how complicated it is!   It is a very intricate item, way more trouble to work on than a locomotive of any type. 

I'm one of those that didn't secure the boom in storage/moving .... and had to restring it. Lots of patience for that one. lol

Still .... a very fun toy.

Matt

They are complicated.  I had to replace the "Hub".  I was not sure I could manage it but I surprised myself (a little luck as well  ).

The crane MUST be packed for shipping as indicated as well as properly in it's packaging.

Dave

Ouch babe.  I'm glad I didn't get that far.  You have the patience of... Job?  He must have been a very patient dude.  I'm a crane guy.  I was a union laborer back in the day and worked with a crane operator every day loading and unloading, chaining and unchaining, giving hand signals, big heavy construction stuff, all day, forty a week.  Man, that was fun.  That crane is the best model I have had.  My second favorite crane is the gantry crane with the magnet.  I set mine up with the IC Controls AMC box to run TMCC.  Very cool.  My Pennsy crane was the first run, as I mentioned, I ordered it as soon as I saw it in the catatog.  The boom car was easily a year or two later.  The crane had issues with some kind of board.  I tried to work with it for at least three years, I think I tried to have it fixed once or twice even.  Finally it seemed Lionel service got their act together, and they said send it in, it's sixty bucks plus parts.  Got fixed and works perfect since.  After that, I kind of got the idea that it's best not to jump in on a new technology first time out.  Wait till the second run, after they get the bugs out.  That said, with the Legacy models, let's hope they are better than ever.  I swear I can quill the whistle on my boom car with my Cab1....

Thanks to all who replied to my post regarding the new Legacy Crane and Boom Car ( not Vision Line, my mistake). Can't wait to receive mine. Should get the Boom Car next week from TW. Hope the Crane Car follows soon. 

William

I have the Gantry crane too and operate with TMCC.

You can program the boom car with the same ID as your Gantry and you will have sounds to go with the movement.  Works very well!

Dave

Kind of odd but Lionel has actually posted the manual for the as yet undelivered Legacy cranes on their support website but not one for the now delivered boom cars, or not yet. Had a look at the manual (it's attached below) and it doesn't indicate anything really new in the operation of the crane, which is probably a good thing.

Merry Christmas!

I'm really at a loss as to what they could add to the crane of any substance.  I'd opt for an easier method of restringing it as a worthwhile improvement!

I received my MOW boom car the other day; fortunately, no problems.

Miken gave us a good demonstration of the sounds.  Now I have to wait until May (maybe ) for the matching crane.

Interestingly, there is no startup or shutdown.  Pressing any of the buttons starts it but nothing shuts it down.  You have to cut the power.

Danr posted:

I received my MOW boom car the other day; fortunately, no problems.

Miken gave us a good demonstration of the sounds.  Now I have to wait until May (maybe ) for the matching crane.

Interestingly, there is no startup or shutdown.  Pressing any of the buttons starts it but nothing shuts it down.  You have to cut the power.

I press the sound off button on my 990.  It shuts the car down.