My impression of my new Atlas F-3 Burlington engines

The Atlas set is nice. I personally have the Lionel Legacy set and love it! Get the best of both worlds, good detail and awesome sounds. 

I got the Grand Trunk Western set from this latest and I converted the front pilot to the scale pilot. I like the detail and it’s great runner.I give Atlas a double thumbs up for this set.

I got two WP units from this run. I'm very pleased with them. The sounds are so so, but it would be the same thing if you spent the big bucks for 3rd Rail. The fixed pilot is what sold me on them. I got them for $430 a piece, which i think is a pretty good deal. I haven't swapped the pilot yet, but i have no regrets about them.

The third unit is from Lionel. As you can see it rides higher than it should. It also has longer couplers and the steps are not body mounted. 

Will Ebbert posted:

I got two WP units from this run. I'm very pleased with them. The sounds are so so, but it would be the same thing if you spent the big bucks for 3rd Rail. The fixed pilot is what sold me on them. I got them for $430 a piece, which i think is a pretty good deal. I haven't swapped the pilot yet, but i have no regrets about them.

The third unit is from Lionel. As you can see it rides higher than it should. It also has longer couplers and the steps are not body mounted. 

I see the difference.  Enjoy your engines.  I hope to also.  I was shipped 2 of the c units by mistake.  Sent one back and will wait for the A unit.  On whole, I am not disappointed.  I just expected better sounds based on the love I see poured out to Atlas on their engines.

I wanted 1 Atlas set for my collection.  The Burlington F-3s are a very nice selection for a person that will most likely only have 1 of their engines.  I think the fact that the other 2 players have their own sound systems and one of them is selling Atlas the prior version of sounds puts them at a huge disadvantage.  They should be Legacy at this late date.

When I opened them it reminded me of Jerry Williams back in the day.  Pricing was obviously different.  I just wanted to get some feedback based on my experience.

Lionel only licenses out TMCC, not Legacy. Atlas, 3rd Rail, and previously Weaver and K Line can only use what's available. Certainly not worth the money to invest in their own system. In a perfect world, we would have DCC and you could use whatever sound decoder you want. 

Will Ebbert posted:

Lionel only licenses out TMCC, not Legacy. Atlas, 3rd Rail, and previously Weaver and K Line can only use what's available. Certainly not worth the money to invest in their own system. In a perfect world, we would have DCC and you could use whatever sound decoder you want. 

Kind of my point.  When Legacy II comes out (speculative only) then Legacy will be available to the other lines.  It perpetually puts them behind the curve a bit.

I'm for a perfect world (DCC), but as a business man I don't believe altruism will drive anyone to improve their sounds and level the playing field.  Completive advantage to the big 2.  

Other than sounds, there is no obvious difference when comparing.  At Atlas price points, they are probably paying a premium for an obsoleting sound system.  Sounds are the only discernable difference between Atlas and MTH & Lionel.  Rivet counters will disagree, but I'm coming from the 10 foot level of viewing.

Legacy II?   Oh, boy, can't wait...... I need a drink.

I have two sets of Atlas and Lionel Legacy F units.  I agree with everything stated above.  The one thing I would add is that both of my sets of Atlas engines periodically forget they are MU'ed as a TRain.  I have to stop the train and reprogram them pretty often.  My Legacy engines always run flawlessly in a train.

Not thrilled.  Got a set because it was a road name / paint scheme that nobody else has made for a long time.  Missing a windshield wiper, lots of overspray flakes, and wimpy smoke in conventional.  All that for a premium price after waiting for 2-1/2 years.  I'm done with Atlas engines.

Mallard4468 posted:

Not thrilled.  Got a set because it was a road name / paint scheme that nobody else has made for a long time.  Missing a windshield wiper, lots of overspray flakes, and wimpy smoke in conventional.  All that for a premium price after waiting for 2-1/2 years.  I'm done with Atlas engines.

I'd contact Atlas. In my experience their customer service is fantastic. I bet they'd make it right. 

I am told that the smoke unit in conventional doesn't come up when the engine is in neutral as one of the features of the TMCC board. It takes quite awhile to heat up. I am also told that it can be wired around the board, straight to the pickup  roller lead and that will improve its performance, but that will take it away from board control if you ever want that down the road. 

I had Lionel Legacy GTW F3's.  I sold them because Lionel painted them the wrong color green and used a CN herald instead of the correct GTW herald.  For those reasons they were shelf queens on my layout. 

While the Atlas sounds are only about 80% of what Lionel and MTH delivers everything else is great!  The attention to detail on the model is fantastic and with 100 speed steps you'll hardly notice it isn't Legacy.  My AA's run very smooth MU'ed. 

MichRR714 posted:

I had Lionel Legacy GTW F3's.  I sold them because Lionel painted them the wrong color green and used a CN herald instead of the correct GTW herald.  For those reasons they were shelf queens on my layout. 

While the Atlas sounds are only about 80% of what Lionel and MTH delivers everything else is great!  The attention to detail on the model is fantastic and with 100 speed steps you'll hardly notice it isn't Legacy.  My AA's run very smooth MU'ed. 

Now to have some fun.  The way the Atlas engines are controlled will allow you to entertain your company, or the better half that you are trying to get on the same page as you:

Place the A B & A units on the track about 6-10" apart uncoupled. Put a string of cars on the trailing A unit.  Then fire up the lash-up.  It is strange watching 3 separated locos run up and down in unison.  It is the strangest sight you will see in a long time.  The gap stays the same as the engine speeds are so close.  Have a blast when you are looking for distractions.

My upgraded F3 set from some years ago...

I now have completed my 1st week with the 3 engines now that I have the proper "A" unit in the lead.  Very reliable and a great runner.  Only issue is losing MU once in a great while.  They kind of remind me of the reliability that Jerry Williams put in his products. Keep it kind of simple.  I will add sound to one of the passenger cars on the MTH CZ set.  Sounds from the car(s) are the only ehnancement that I will definitely do.

Will I buy Atlas again?  Probably will buy something that was pre-ordered and cancelled.  I am not going to wait as long as some did after ordering these engines.  I wish they did have Legacy, but realize that aint going to happen.

I've considered adding the guts from a Lionel Station Sounds Diner to my Cal Z diner. 

To make the MU issue easy I just gave all of my units the same ID. I know there's multiple horns and bells but they're all timed perfectly so you really can't tell. 

Will Ebbert posted:

I've considered adding the guts from a Lionel Station Sounds Diner to my Cal Z diner. 

To make the MU issue easy I just gave all of my units the same ID. I know there's multiple horns and bells but they're all timed perfectly so you really can't tell. 

Looking for the right car with sounds.  I will probably hold of and wait for one that might be more related to the California Zephyr.  Don't want one that says the name of the train that does not match.  I looked at the L & N that has a reasonable price.  Don't know what the sounds are to make a decision to purchase.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Will Ebbert posted:

I've considered adding the guts from a Lionel Station Sounds Diner to my Cal Z diner. 

To make the MU issue easy I just gave all of my units the same ID. I know there's multiple horns and bells but they're all timed perfectly so you really can't tell. 

Looking for the right car with sounds.  I will probably hold of and wait for one that might be more related to the California Zephyr.  Don't want one that says the name of the train that does not match.  I looked at the L & N that has a reasonable price.  Don't know what the sounds are to make a decision to purchase.

I was thinking the same thing, but with the nice Atlas CZ I'm not sure if Lionel will try doing one. When they did the 18" version it appealed to a different market. The train sounds are more important than the dialogue to me though.

Will Ebbert posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Will Ebbert posted:

I've considered adding the guts from a Lionel Station Sounds Diner to my Cal Z diner. 

To make the MU issue easy I just gave all of my units the same ID. I know there's multiple horns and bells but they're all timed perfectly so you really can't tell. 

Looking for the right car with sounds.  I will probably hold of and wait for one that might be more related to the California Zephyr.  Don't want one that says the name of the train that does not match.  I looked at the L & N that has a reasonable price.  Don't know what the sounds are to make a decision to purchase.

I was thinking the same thing, but with the nice Atlas CZ I'm not sure if Lionel will try doing one. When they did the 18" version it appealed to a different market. The train sounds are more important than the dialogue to me though.

One of our sponsors had a L&N Railsounds Diner for a very good price.  I plan to do a transplant into one of the CZ cars.  The name may come out as "Hummingbird" during announcements.  May be generic enough for my taste.  I like the "Timmy of Jinny" dialog.  It's so corny, its perfect.

Will Ebbert posted:

I was thinking the same thing, but with the nice Atlas CZ I'm not sure if Lionel will try doing one. When they did the 18" version it appealed to a different market. The train sounds are more important than the dialogue to me though.

The Lionel 18" Aluminum California Zephyr set was a disaster.

They painted the cars rather than the beautiful bright, reflective finish of the previous sets, shortage of Vista Dome cars, no skirts, etc. Probably one of their worst executed product deliveries of this century.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Will Ebbert posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Will Ebbert posted:

I've considered adding the guts from a Lionel Station Sounds Diner to my Cal Z diner. 

To make the MU issue easy I just gave all of my units the same ID. I know there's multiple horns and bells but they're all timed perfectly so you really can't tell. 

Looking for the right car with sounds.  I will probably hold of and wait for one that might be more related to the California Zephyr.  Don't want one that says the name of the train that does not match.  I looked at the L & N that has a reasonable price.  Don't know what the sounds are to make a decision to purchase.

I was thinking the same thing, but with the nice Atlas CZ I'm not sure if Lionel will try doing one. When they did the 18" version it appealed to a different market. The train sounds are more important than the dialogue to me though.

One of our sponsors had a L&N Railsounds Diner for a very good price.  I plan to do a transplant into one of the CZ cars.  The name may come out as "Hummingbird" during announcements.  May be generic enough for my taste.  I like the "Timmy of Jinny" dialog.  It's so corny, its perfect.

I did the change to add the "Hummingbird" Railsounds Diner into one of the CZ Baggage Cars.  Very nice, and the "Hummingbird" reference gets past the visitors looking at the layout.  I'm very happy with the added dimension.

Last night I converted the A unit to have the fixed pilot option.  In baggies it does not seem dramatic.  After the install, WOW. 

In summary, I am pleased and inmpressed that I did not have to address "bugfarts" getting it to run properly.  Lube and inspect, ready to roll.