Opinion on Legacy Large Steamer

Mark,

I would go with the UP H7. I posted a note about my UP H7 this past weekend. It is a highly detailed engine, runs and pulls great, and has a very nice whistle.

I have the older TMCC version of the NKP Mallet. It is a very nice engine. I did not know the Legeacy version of the NKP Mallet had Whistle steam. Although the NKP Mallet is highly detailed, it  does not have the level of detail found on the UP H7

The two Y3's you mentioned are also very nice engines. I have the older TMCC Pennsy  version of the Y3.

You have a tough decision to make.

Richard

What the heck, just get all three!

Rod

If I had to make this decision, I would go with Richard's suggestion, the H7.

Go with the H7 if you can, it is a fantastic model.

Not sure if the Legacy version has the correct 8 chuffs, the TMCC version has 2 chuffs IIRC.

Lionel used the exact same sound set in each of those 3 locos, the reason I never picked up an H-7.  

I have both the H7 and the Mallet.  Both are lovely.  The H7 is big and imposing, and as already said, just impressive in every way.  The Mallet is smaller but lovely in its own way - detailed, great sound, fantastic runner, etc: but it is smaller than the H7 by a lot, just ever so slightly larger than a Northern, in fact.   I like mine a lot.  The big guys like the H7 and Big Boy and Yellowstone are fun, but sometimes a bit overwhelming in size and boiler stick out on curves, etc.  So often I prefer something a tiny bit smaller, which case the Mallet and the Vision CC2 are the only articulated locos I have that aren't so big.  

Since you mentioned the word big in the title of this thread, I'd assume you want big and recommend the H7.

The USRA 2-6-6-2 is always my "go to articulated"; six-coupled, big but not enormous...

I have the TMCC and Legacy versions; both run very well.

BUT - you have one, and the H-7 is a beautiful thing, so I'd go that way...but the Y-3

in ATSF (i have the TMCC version) - love the silver lettering - is pretty hot...

I'm sure all that helped A LOT. You're welcome.