New Lionel Consolidations

I have the previous run that featured whistle steam. Great small, reasonably priced engine. Re decorated it into a Rutland. My only knock in this engine is the pilot. On my RR. The ability to doublehead is important. The Rutland did this a lot with a variety of engines. The pilot itself is okay. Just needs the removable coupler. I guess you could always make it the lead engine.

With some work. I adapted a pilot from a Mountain. Ended up with pilot steps which the Rutland had. Functions well and looks okay.

@tumbleweed56, that’s a beautiful locomotive, I like the white sidewall wheels, the yellow numbers on the side of the locomotive, the yellow lettering on the tender, the gray color on the smoke stack area, the white side walls on the pilot’s wheels, it’s a Wow. I’m waiting in the B&O version from Patrick’s Trains… it’s on the way. Thanks for posting this fine picture. Happy Railroading Everyone

I'm going to renumber mine to the locomotive that regularly ran the Buckingham Branch between Bremo and Dilwyn Va.

I understand why Lionel numbered the locomotive 701 as it survives in Covington,VA.

The Lionel model is a good representation of the unrebuilt C&O (proper) Consolidations with inside valve gear and inward slanted valves, vs the 701 which is a bigger engine with outside valve gear and more conventional valve placement.

I sure wish Lionel would make a model of the 701 or Southern 630.  I'd buy both.

@leapinlarry please post some pictures of your custom run when you get it!

While the updated version from Legacy Station is a big improvement the boiler is still incorrect for being a Southern Ks-1 class 2-8-0. I haven't run it but the price was a good buy for being a legacy locomotive. There are some smaller details I plan to add such as painting the dials and gauges. I'm really looking forward to running it under the Christmas tree this year.

I also would like a good model of the C&O 701. It still exists on display in Covington, Va and has in recent years been cosmetically restored. It is  sort of famous in the area as it was the primary power for the Hot Springs branch mixed trains that ran between Clifton Forge, Va and the Homestead resort at Hot Springs passing through Covington on the way. My wife is from Covington and her father worked for the C&O on that train. Recent photos and info can be found here:

http://www.rgusrail.com/vaco701.html

Unfortunately the Lionel version is based on an SP engine and other than being a Consolidation it doesn't look much like 701. To my eye its just another fantasy engine from Lionel.

NHVRYGray is right about redecorating his to better match a G7 class engine, #884 that ran on the Buckingham subdivision. That G7 had canted steam cylinders, inside valve gear, and a tender that's closer to Lionel's. However that particular engine looks like the cab had been replaced with the smaller "sports" cab. Pictures of the 884 can be found on the C&O HS website by going to the archives tab and put #884 in the search box.

https://archives.cohs.org/

Ken

Regarding the Southern K class 2-8-0s, there were some that stayed around relatively late that are closer to the Lionel engine..

The real 630 had it's cylinders replaced and Southern valve gear added during a rebuild..

I personally can't take the major differences, but if it makes someone happy, more power to all.

Thanks everyone for the additional detail on 701.   While not 100% prototypically correct, it is still a beautiful model. It is now my second favorite steamer behind my MTH premier NKP 763 Berkshire.  I’m from central Ohio, so I like to buy engines with ties to this area.

In the box it came with a Lionel coupler for the pilot, but no instructions on how to swap it out.  Anybody done this or know how to do it?  I want to be able to use this engine for switching and having a front coupler would be great.  

@Casper, I’ll be happy to post pictures of my B&O Consolidation locomotive, and I’m fairly certain at the low price for even this being a Legacy controlled steamer, it’s going to look great but will not be an exact replica of the real locomotive. It’s not a VisionLine piece.  I wish it was a brass hybrid version at even a higher price then it would be more accurate. I purchased it for the fact that it runs on 031 curves and although my minimum circles are 072, it should look fine on my layout. It’s going to pull a few B&O heavyweight passenger cars.
I do have a Question for those in the know, is the motor in back of the cab area, or is the motor under the headlight? Someone might be able to get a diagram of this feature. I purchased a K-Line TMCC Hudson and the motor was in front, not at the rear of the chassis. Harmonyards did his famous surgery on my hudson replacing the small can motor with a giant Pittman and Wow, it’s a stump puller.
Happy Railroading Everyone

A few pics of the Maine Central 2-8-0 with a Rutland boxcar in tow. Looks and runs great except the whistle steam seems to be non-existent. Regular smoke is excellent and I can see/feel the air coming out of the two small holes on either side of the whistle, but no smoke  - any tips or suggestions ?

Was having trouble downloading this video of the Maine Central 2-8-0 with BN ore cars and caboose , but all good now. Enjoy !!

Good afternoon everyone, today my special order from Patrick’s Trains arrived, my B&O 2-8-0 Consolidation Steam locomotive in Lionel Legacy command control. You will notice the high gloss finish as if it just came out of the paint shops. I’m impressed with this version. I do not have any other steamers with this wheel arrangement nor in high gloss black shiny finish. It’s a great looking steamer in my thinking. I need to read the manual before I run this little fellow. Happy Railroading Everyone

Has anybody received the Grand Canyon RR set with a 2-8-0?

@leapinlarry I really like the high gloss paint! Thanks for posting.

@leapinlarry posted:

Good afternoon everyone, today my special order from Patrick’s Trains arrived, my B&O 2-8-0 Consolidation Steam locomotive in Lionel Legacy command control. You will notice the high gloss finish as if it just came out of the paint shops. I’m impressed with this version. I do not have any other steamers with this wheel arrangement nor in high gloss black shiny finish. It’s a great looking steamer in my thinking. I need to read the manual before I run this little fellow. Happy Railroading Everyone

Is it missing the bell

Richie C - I’m not sure what the secret is to the whistle steam feature.  Mine is inconsistent. Sometimes the whistle steam is heavy, other times you can barely see it.  The regular smoke is always heavy (set to medium smoke level), so I know it has fluid. Next time I run it, I’m going to blow down through the smoke stack to eliminate any bubbles.  

Yes, Yes, Yes, I didn’t catch it at first, I took the engine out of the box, out of the beautiful wrapping plastic, did not notice the bell at all. Placed the new steamer on my ready track, took pictures, was really happy. Then, my friend saw my pictures and text me that there was no bell. Wow, so, I looked on the floor near my layout and there it was, laying on the floor. So, now it’s a complete locomotive. I do love the glossy finish very much. Happy Railroading Everyone

Hello Larry. Awesome new locomotive. Would love to see more of your fantastic layout.

Guys they all look great. Considering these engines are on the lower scale pricing of Legacy steam. I’m amazed as to how they cosmetically all look different. Not just a different roadname pasted on the same Loco. . The Southern with the red & white trim, red cab roof and tender deck. The Maine Central with the red cab trim, blackened smokebox and white striping. The C&O with the white striping and gold lettering.
I usually weather everything. I really like the gloss black on the B&O. Looks like it was just delivered or shined up for a special trip.
I was looking to pickup a Western Pacific at some point. I model the Rutland and it comes with a correct rd. number and the white striping. It looks like Lionel has a winner with these.

tumbleweed56,  you mentioned the dummy coupler. Not sure anything’s changed by looking at the pictures as far as the pilot. The stock coupler looks like it’s pinned in there. Just curious if there were screws and spacers in the bag. The Ten Wheeler I recently purchased had holes tapped for a Kadee coupler on the tender chassis.

@tumbleweed56 posted:

Richie C - I’m not sure what the secret is to the whistle steam feature.  Mine is inconsistent. Sometimes the whistle steam is heavy, other times you can barely see it.  The regular smoke is always heavy (set to medium smoke level), so I know it has fluid. Next time I run it, I’m going to blow down through the smoke stack to eliminate any bubbles.  

Just as an update, it seems that you just have to keep running the engine for a session very day or so for a few days with smoke on before the whistle steam kicks in and starts working and that is what happened here. I also used a can of compressed air with the thin straw a few times to clear any bubbles or blockages in the system. It seems like it also wants a good amount of smoke fluid and to let it soak in - maybe overnight - before the whistle steam gets "primed" and starts working properly.

I'm happy to report it works well now - difficult to see when the engine is moving (especially with all the smoke blowing backwards from the main stack), but at rest you can now see a good blast of smoke ("steam") coming out.

P.S. - Dave C - my Maine Central did come with a spacer block and screws in a small, clear plastic bag. I assume that's what they were for.

Richie, I had the same problem with the whistle steam. The whistle steam shares the fan driven smoke unit with the stack. After a couple of runs it definately works better. John

Lionel has certainly cranked up the brightness of classification/marker lights on its steam engines recently. Noticed this on the (fairly) recent SP Daylights as well. The green classification lights are almost blinding. Not a deal breaker by any means, but certainly not a prototypical look. It's a very nice engine, though.

@breezinup, your right, the classification lights do look brighter, but, all being said, these inexpensive legacy steamers are a joy to run, and do to the 031 minimum curve diameter, there’s a lot of folks out there in our market that can operate these on there model railroads. Of course the big articulated steamers are fun to run, however not everyone has the room for those long locomotives on their layouts.  I haven’t had time to go over the manual yet but will soon, then I’ll post a short video of my 2-8-0. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry - I just read the manual for my new CN Consolidation and it doesn’t take very long since, as is Lionel’s practice, much of it is divided into sections depending on whether you operate in Legacy, TMCC or Conventional mode. Based on the videos you’ve posted on your layout Larry, you’re a Pro and it should only take you a few minutes to glean the manual 😉.  So hurry up as many of us want to see your 2-8-0 running around your layout. Cheers!

Well....I have not posted since March.  Too many outdoor activities...gardening, bicycling, etc.

I just got my C and O Consolidation and I love it. It is my first legacy engine and looks great with 042 curves.  Another plus is that this C and O version was former Hocking Valley RR, as previously mentioned.  We had a family member work for the Hocking Valley.  My whistle steam works wonderfully with no extra prep work!

Fendermain

@Southern Railway Sean posted:

There are some smaller details I plan to add such as painting the dials and gauges.

I would appreciate seeing a picture of your cab once the dials and gauges are painted. My Consolidation is at Harry Hieke's being weathered. Hopefully, will be here soon.

Bob

@breezinup posted:

Lionel has certainly cranked up the brightness of classification/marker lights on its steam engines recently. Noticed this on the (fairly) recent SP Daylights as well. The green classification lights are almost blinding. Not a deal breaker by any means, but certainly not a prototypical look. It's a very nice engine, though.

Wonder if masking them off and shooting with Dullcoat would help ?

@Richie C. posted:

Wonder if masking them off and shooting with Dullcoat would help ?

It may be best to add some resistors or something to the wiring, but I don't know how that would be done.  They sure are bright. It doesn't appear that the rear markers are as overly bright.

Well the marker lights sure are bright, but I really like that they can be toggled between colors and on off. Sometimes I think the bright geen or red takes your eye away from the beautiful paint jobs on some of these locos. Its great to have so much functionality packed into an engine that runs O-31.

New York Central #960

@NYC Fan posted:

New York Central #960

Don't know what's going on with that photo, but original color photos of steam engines are very rare. Could have been colorized. In any case, look at the engine behind it. Those appear normal. I'd be curious to know if anyone has ever seen an operating steam engine with classification lights that bright. None of the ones I've ever seen had anything close to that. And no other manufacturer of model steam engines has made them with classification lights anywhere near as bright as the new ones from Lionel (including all earlier engines Lionel made).

@breezinup, I think you have a good point regarding the brighter lights, here’s my thinking, these newly rebuilt steamers have been totally upgraded with the best technology offers, new LED lights, an advanced walky talky system, new engineers with the ability to make these steamers strut there stuff, walk the walk, and make their appearances note worthy. So, in a nut shell, I love mine.(Sorry I hit the wrong photo and added a Genset, my age is showing)  Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry, everything looks pretty bright in your video. That firebox looks like a nuclear fission reaction is going on in there.

@breezinup, yes, I have to confess, all of the lights are brighter than other Lionel steamers, the fire box glow puts out a lot of light.  I couldn’t make the video I wanted to make as my wife was sleeping. Soon, I’ll do a couple of videos, one with little light, one with more light. The little steamer seems to do fine in legacy command, the whistle steam takes time working, but it works. All in all, I’m well pleased with this new acquisition. Happy Railroading Everyone

@breezinup posted:

Larry, everything looks pretty bright in your video. That firebox looks like a nuclear fission reaction is going on in there.

It always something. I wonder what changed with the LEDs?

@RickO posted:

It always something. I wonder what changed with the LEDs?

The LEDs that most everyone has been using for the past 25 years in markers and class lights are no longer made by the manufacturer Lumex. Lionel should be at least commended for finding a replacement the fits and can produce green and white light like the prototype. If you find them too bright you could add a resistor in series to dim them down.

Pete

I've just received my CN Lionel 2-8-0 Consolidation. It seems to perform exactly as advertised. Yes, the lights are a bit bright. Yes it is easy to quible with details, every model has them. IMO this is an excellent locomotive at the price.

Is it possible hat the new LEDs are being over driven? That would shorten their service life.

Today I finished replacing some track and after my new Southern 630 sitting patiently in it's box for over a week, I carefully extracted it, programmed it, and gave it a test run.   All I can say is I'm quite pleased with everything, a very sweet locomotive.