New CSX SD80 in motor city set

I don't put too much stock in a catalog picture.  Maybe they'll have it on display at York and we can see it then.  If they do and the fuel tank is undersized you can at least ask the Lionel reps about it.

This is the older tooling that has a high fuel tank so that it would clear most switch stands.

 

What you need to find out is if Lionel will cast a new scale tank.  And, while at it, find out if they can fix the arch of the body as well.  The arching of the side rails and walkway are why I got rid of mine and went with the MTH versions with scale fuel tanks.

 

Fred

What Conrail SD80's in the "Motor City Express Set"? The catalog shows CSX Diesels.

And When will some Mfg make the Sd80 Demo unit?

OOPS!!! i did say Conrail, I meant CSX

 

 

I just play with my toys, not worried about the size of a fuel tank.

I guess I can scratch the motor city express off my list. I'll pick up some of the cars when released. Guess I'll pick up a MTH sd80. 

Strange.  In Lionel's recent blog post, they say the following:

 

"The trucks, frame, pilot and fuel tank are all metal. The fuel tank will be the larger, deeper profile as found on our more recent production, not the shallow tank shown in the catalog."

 

Now this doesn't say scale...so I am not really sure what it means.  I for one did not pre-order these because of the really shallow tanks. 

I thought I read somewhere (perhaps lionel's Facebook/blog site) that the engine in the set is the same one available ala carte -- and recently delivered with the less than scale tank.   So I wouldn't get my hopes up too high here.  But we'll know for sure soon!

David

Just to clarify... here's an extract from Lionel's recent blog post about the Motor City Express.

 

...

The CSX SD80MAC is available in the Motor City Express set (Road No. 809), or as a seperate model 6-38582 (Road No. 812) for $529.99. For really big consists, you could also add in a non-powered “dummy” unit, 6-38583 (Road No. 804) for $259.99. Although the auto racks are limited to O-54, the 80MAC will negotiate an O-36 curve.

...

 

So I'm interpreting this to mean... aside from the road number for powered units (i.e., #809 in the set vs. #812 ala carte), we've already seen what the locomotive will look like, since the "separate sale" power/dummy units shipped last month.

 

That may just be your answer right there, if you think fuel-tank size is a real deal-breaker.  For me, this would not prevent me from purchasing the set as delivered, since the cars will be very popular anyway.  But everyone has their priorities.  And there will always be a buyer for a locomotive priced accordingly on the secondary market. 

 

David