Opinion Desired - Purchase Lionel N&W Y6b 6-82340 vs. Wait for Vision Version (Someday)

I have the JLC version and the detail and sounds are awesome, especially after I had the chuff rate changed from the 2 chuffs per ref to 4 chuffs.  I guess I do not see Lionel offering it in the future as a Vision offering so the only significant improvement I can imagine is  the whistle smoke effect (which I never get to use because I am allergic to smoke).  As a regular offering, you will not get the engine specific announcements (which I like a LOT).

The 6-82340 Y6b is wonderful  engine!

Why miss out on enjoying one of Lionel's truly great engines in the hope that it may be offered perhaps years in the future

I have the 6-82340 Y6b, it's a magnificent locomotive.  I can't imagine a VL version being that much better.  FWIW, my Y6b has whistle steam.

I can't imagine what Lionel could do to improve the Legacy Y6b if they came out with a Vision Line version. It's an awesome engine.

DGJones,

Thanks for your note on Y6b. I guess I am falling into the mindset you stated rather than miss out on fun with this nice 2014 model.

Ken

GRJ,

Glad to hear such a strong statement about this 2014 Y6b from someone who has one. I am a strong N&W fan! Will do a little research on the preferred # for this 2014 model: 2171, 2175, 2186 … they all look the same in Lionel catalog, not sure what diff if any in the real engine’s history?

The whistle steam is one great feature that I am glad this 2014 year had. Did you add any mods to yours? I have seen in some of your posts that you can and / or have done to some of your engines.

Thanks for the feedback,

Ken

Hello Ironman1,

I was wondering if Lionel might do the same for a N&W Y6b that they did for the Vision  “Big Boy” in 2023 after its nice Legacy 2014 showing.

But will that ever happen? While waiting I guess I would miss out on all that is in this 2014 Y6b.

thanks for the input,

Ken

While anything is possible, for example; JLC "Big Boy" to Vision Line "Big Boy"........I would be surprised if Lionel released a Vision Line version of the Y6b.....what would be added that we have not seen already?

The JLC and subsequent releases of the Y6b are exquisite models......there is more detail  offered on the Sunset 3rd Rail versions but the Lionel sound in the latest release is awesome.......

I wonder if any improvement on a Vision Line version would only be "gimmicky" to a large extent.

The legacy model from 2014 is awesome in all ways. My train prized possession. Also, this Legacy model behaved and sounded much better than a similar 3rdRail version I owned back then. The level of detailing was similar, but different. Perhaps the 3rdRail's detail was more "correct." I don't know.

Good luck in your search.

Just food for thought, regarding the 2014 engine that is approaching ten years of age.  Even if the Legacy electronics are available for it right now, how much longer will that be the case.  There were recently some early Legacy engines with reasonable prices offered for sale here on the forum.  I was tempted until I realized that they would probably not be repairable (for example - no R4LC boards available from Lionel) should there be any electronic problems in the future.  

@Ken Gillig posted:

GRJ,

Glad to hear such a strong statement about this 2014 Y6b from someone who has one. I am a strong N&W fan! Will do a little research on the preferred # for this 2014 model: 2171, 2175, 2186 … they all look the same in Lionel catalog, not sure what diff if any in the real engine’s history?

The whistle steam is one great feature that I am glad this 2014 year had. Did you add any mods to yours? I have seen in some of your posts that you can and / or have done to some of your engines.

Thanks for the feedback,

Ken

No mods to mine, I just added a water tender and called it good.

SusieQ,

I appreciate your view that the latest Y6b has about all you need - nothing major missing.

-Ken

@GregM posted:

Just food for thought, regarding the 2014 engine that is approaching ten years of age.  Even if the Legacy electronics are available for it right now, how much longer will that be the case.  There were recently some early Legacy engines with reasonable prices offered for sale here on the forum.  I was tempted until I realized that they would probably not be repairable (for example - no R4LC boards available from Lionel) should there be any electronic problems in the future.  

Since the RCMC was used up to 2020, I don't see them going obsolete for some time.  Since they're all programmable, a single board type stocked can supply parts for most of the 2010-2020 Legacy locomotives.  Actually two board types, there is one with smoke thermistors and one without thermistors.

GNJ Jim,

Similar endorsement to 2014 - already has all the “right stuff”. Glad to hear that from one who has one.

Ken

GregM,

You do raise an increasingly scary thought, especially as these engines rise in price when new models come out, as in the newer Big Boy, failing down the road to repair a $2500 engine will get hard to swollow.

Not sure there is reliable resolve to what might happen, short of never going to newer versions and features … wondering about suc a train’s lifespan?

Thanks for your view.

Ken

Ken,

I’m also an avid N&W fan. Having owned 2 MTH Premier versions, & Premier Class A and the JLC Y6B, I was never satisfied 100% with the sounds, although the Class A had a nice hooter whistle. Even the JLC lacked the proper sounds. Now all sold.

After I purchased the Legacy Y6B, I liked it so much, I purchased a second! Although I never heard the real engine in person, I don’t think anyone has come close to Lionel’s Legacy steam sounds, switching from simple to compound. It sounds awesome to my ears, & the quilling steam whistle is hard to beat!

I think if you can find one for sale, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

Joe

Thanks ironman1. The search is on!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Since the RCMC was used up to 2020, I don't see them going obsolete for some time.  Since they're all programmable, a single board type stocked can supply parts for most of the 2010-2020 Legacy locomotives.  Actually two board types, there is one with smoke thermistors and one without thermistors.

Hopefully one less thing for the Ken to be concerned with in this case.  

I think you are probably right concerning RCMC obsolescence but that “parts unavailable” issue can rear its ugly head anytime these days.  

@ironman1 posted:

After I purchased the Legacy Y6B, I liked it so much, I purchased a second! Although I never heard the real engine in person, I don’t think anyone has come close to Lionel’s Legacy steam sounds, switching from simple to compound. It sounds awesome to my ears, & the quilling steam whistle is hard to beat!

Lionel has really set the standard for sounds in many of their steam engines.  I confess, the sounds are what sold me on the first Vision Line Big Boy in 2014.  I heard it at York and went home and ordered it!   The Y6b sounds are superb as well.

You don't know how much time your have left.   I knew too many guys who kept waiting to build a layout or buy this or that and never did.    If  you can find an acceptable one, my reccomendation is go with it vs waiting for something that is not even in the pipeline.

I will admit, having to face a repair on one of these engines is a bit frightening. So my question is, what would be the most likely component on the Legacy Y6B that could fail, that would make it un-repairable & send it to the scrap yard?

@GregM posted:

I think you are probably right concerning RCMC obsolescence but that “parts unavailable” issue can rear its ugly head anytime these days.  

Well, I find it very hard to argue with that statement!

Prrjim,

Totally  agree with you! I am 71 and am building a big layout, for my grandkids and to prove to myself I can do this so I can enjoy it with the kids, with my son whom I promised to build one but did not when he was young, and by myself as my imagination takes off with such trains as this 2014.

Thanks much for your thoughts!

Ken

I would get the one that you are talking about as you can always "upgrade" in the future if they ever do a VL version. From what others have said here, a VL version just might not really be much of an upgrade anyway!

@ironman1 posted:

I will admit, having to face a repair on one of these engines is a bit frightening. So my question is, what would be the most likely component on the Legacy Y6B that could fail, that would make it un-repairable & send it to the scrap yard?

I'd be more worried about mechanical failures than electronics.  It's quite possible to replace all the electronics if it came to that.  Probably one of the early upgrades I'd do is get rid of that crappy Canon motor and upgrade to a Pittman.

Try to get the Legacy version over the JLC version! The JLC version has the simple to compound sounds backwards!

Hi Big Jim,

Agree fully. Thanks for the  note!

Ken

Hi PRRMP54,

I guess I did not realize how much can be done with these newer engines and the kinds of knowledge and expertise you guys in OGR have. That's reassuring that i won't get boxed IF something dwn the road suits an upgrade.

Thanks for your note! Appreciated!

Ken

@Big Jim posted:

Try to get the Legacy version over the JLC version! The JLC version has the simple to compound sounds backwards!

I fully agree, the Legacy version has great sounds!  I never had the JLC version, so I can't compare, but I sure do like my 2014 Legacy version.

I agree with everyone that the Legacy version sounds and looks awesome. No t sure how much it could improve with a Visionline except for an additional speaker and another smoke feature. I you want to know how it looks and sounds, look at Eric’s Trains review of it.

John,

GregM posted his concern about electronics not being available in the future for repairs. You said "I'd be more worried about mechanical failures than electronics.  It's quite possible to replace all the electronics if it came to that." Why & what kind of mechanical failures?

I guess what I'm looking for is a straight answer. If my $2000.00 Legacy Y6B BRAKES, electronically or mechanically, can someone repair it back to the same functioning condition? If yes, what would the cost for a worst-case scenario be? Or the cost to repair it, for a more common failure?

Thanks,

Joe