Photos of new Lionel Santa Fe F3s?

These are on the shelf at forum sponsor The Imperial Train Company today. Personally I didn't think the finish was as shinney as I expected them to be.

That's a bit disappointing. Hard to tell on different lighting conditions, but the red doesn't appear all that much different from the red on the Atlas F-7s, which was criticized for being too dull. The "stainless" silver part doesn't have the sheen that the Atlas engines have, either.

Then don’t buy it.  Simple.  Problem solved.

That is way closer to being right than T&P or the NYO&W!

But, then of course they would get AT&SF Warbonnet right.

Lionel has had lots of practice as they are in practically every single catalog!

*Shakes head is disgust....

I'm not sure if it's right or wrong. It looks good but was expecting a more shinney chrome look from what Ryan was saying. 

I am surprised that the chroming I was expecting is simply not there. The photos above of the Legacy Warbonnet F3 from Lionel show that it looks exactly like the TMCC scale version I already have. I can see no differences and if the body was lowered, I do not notice a difference. I have the Atlas F7 ABA version and the GGD F7 ABA version. Both of the latter have incredibly beautiful chroming on the side panels that make this Lionel version pale in comparison. The GGD versions has a more profound red shine (not glossy but not matte) than the Atlas and about equal to the Lionel. The ultimate scheme is my GGD Warbonnet ABA Alco PA which is simply magnificent.

The issue of price is always important. As I understand it, with a powered B, the Lionel ABA would be slightly less than $1,000 and I have to question whether it could pull a GGD aluminum Super Chief or El Capitan up a grade. I don't think the four motors are sufficient. The consist is too heavy. My four motor Lionel TMCC scale version did a shake, rattle and roll up a 2.2% grade. I have six motors in the Atlas and GGD versions and off goes the consist. No problem. Of course the GGD version is double the Lionel in price. An Atlas ABA with six motors is about $200 more than a four motored Lionel version. 

For absolute beauty in an F3 or F7 Warbonnet, I would vote for the Atlas version. When you have them all next to each other, the differences are fairly clear.

Scrappy

Heres the new santa fe f 3 set we got today.

I'm not an authority or anything like that but they look really nice to me.  I really like what I see that you have shown.  I have enough F-3's what I need is a set of good SF passenger cars to go with them.  I guess in due time for me.  However, if they're not to your liking, I'd just pass on them.  As I see it, Lionel can't please each and every person all the time, someone is always going to complain about something.  Someone will probably rag them when they finally close their doors.  I think everyone looks at the products differently.  It's a human nature thing.

William 1 posted:

Then don’t buy it.  Simple.  Problem solved.

Well, that's not an answer to someone making observations about an engine.

My set is being delivered Monday, in any case. So problem not solved. But it'll be fine, I'm sure. Not to say it couldn't have been better.  

In the nice video above, it certainly looks great with all four units producing smoke! 

Scrapiron Scher posted:

 

For absolute beauty in an F3 or F7 Warbonnet, I would vote for the Atlas version. When you have them all next to each other, the differences are fairly clear.

Scrappy

Had planned to acquire a set of these rather than the Atlas mainly for the sound, but so far now I'm glad I waited and just may hang onto my train #18 ABBA with the nice-sounding Breakdown B unit.

A capitol idea Scrappy - can you post a shot for us set up like that?

For what it counts, I think that they are a great new addition to my train collection. I love the colors and the sounds. I haven't lost any sleep with pre-orders on any train from any maker. And I buy lots!!! There is one thing, I don't have time to complain, I have trains to play with.

I like what i see. I have a set on order and i have a set of atlas F7s. I will do side by side pics. 

I really want to hear the super bass unit. I have i high hopes for it.

 They look and sound pretty awesome to me 

 Thanks for posting the video 

You guys are making it hard to pass on these. LOL. Great video. I have the PW paint scheme F3s from 2010 with a powered ABB and dummy A and with Legacy they'll pull a stump. 

MartyE posted:

You guys are making it hard to pass on these. LOL. Great video. I have the PW paint scheme F3s from 2010 with a powered ABB and dummy A and with Legacy they'll pull a stump. 

Hey Marty, your PW style Legacy F3s are why I ordered the new ABBA.  Specifically, I wanted them, but couldn’t find any!  When I converted to scale back in 2012, I was surprised to find Lionel had only done Legacy warbonnets once - your set - and they were really hard to find. Yeah, there was the occasional posting from the same seller with the same crazy price on eBay, but I otherwise never saw them. I’m stoked for mine to arrive from Mr Muffins. 

The 2010 models.

What do you guys thinks of the price on these? Maybe my memory is bad but it seems like a a lot more than what I paid for the Neil Young Legacy F3s.

BradFish1 posted:

What do you guys thinks of the price on these? Maybe my memory is bad but it seems like a a lot more than what I paid for the Neil Young Legacy F3s.

What did you pay for the NY F3s?  Looks like $649 in the 2014 catalog.  They were not scale, not that they were all that different.

The MSRP on these is $849.

I picked up my Warbonnet F3 A-A set and Superbass B unit at Charles Ro on Saturday and was overall very pleased with the way they turned out and ran on their test track. The colors may not be exactly prototypical but as this is my first , and probably only such paint scheme, I found the colors to be well done and pleasing to look at for me, at least. 

The sound was great and I'm looking forward to getting them set up on my almost completed new layout.

My only "objection" is the different length couplers resulting in different gaps on each end of the B unit. While it's not enough of a turn-off for me not to buy the set, this should have been something Lionel could have compensated for in the design and manufacturing of the set.

Well I contacted Regis at The Imperial Train Company yesterday and had him put a sold sign on the F3s.  They just look too good for me to pass up.

I'll be getting the AA, powered B, and super bass B.  I originally ordered the Super Bass B for my older set and purchased a B unit shell to match but once I saw the As I decided to just buy them.  So I'll have 2 ABBA sets.  

My ABBA set will arrive today from Legacy Station....I cannot wait. I model more current times but I could no longer resist the pull of the Lionel ATSF War Bonnets. My only other set I owned was the MTH DAP set from a long time ago. I sold that when I made the switch to TMCC.

Now we need a good set of passenger cars. I just saw that GGD is "re-running" the '38 to '47 "Super Chief". What I really want is the re-run of the "El Capitan" with the high level cars and that really cool transition car.

Plus, it is obvious that Lionel will be making a run of their 21" cars once they get their factory situation straightened out...I most likely will purchase a set but will keep an eye on the GGD offerings too.

Thanks for posting the pics.

Donald

3rail 2 posted:

My ABBA set will arrive today from Legacy Station....I cannot wait. I model more current times but I could no longer resist the pull of the Lionel ATSF War Bonnets. My only other set I owned was the MTH DAP set from a long time ago. I sold that when I made the switch to TMCC.

Now we need a good set of passenger cars. I just saw that GGD is "re-running" the '38 to '47 "Super Chief". What I really want is the re-run of the "El Capitan" with the high level cars and that really cool transition car.

Plus, it is obvious that Lionel will be making a run of their 21" cars once they get their factory situation straightened out...I most likely will purchase a set but will keep an eye on the GGD offerings too.

Thanks for posting the pics.

Donald

There is a GGD El Cap set on the auction site that shall not be named right now.

Pete

Thank you very much Pete.....you just made my day a lot more interesting.

Donald

Here is mine. Just got them from Legacy Station. I think they look great.

Donald

They look awesome Donald. 

My question is, why did EMD decide to not to use the "stainless" on the A unit panel with the louvers, unlike the the B unit?

EMD didn't....there's no louvers in the B unit 

Too difficult to do those louvers in stainless

3rail 2 posted:

Here is mine. Just got them from Legacy Station. I think they look great.

Donald

Need some videos Donald!

MartyE posted:

3rail 2 posted:

Here is mine. Just got them from Legacy Station. I think they look great.

Donald

Need some videos Donald!

Hello Marty. I would love to do that for you guys but I need to be a little careful with how much of my layout I publish. Allan is planning to do a "full feature" hopefully next year in the magazine and we both agreed not to "spill the beans" when it comes to posting too many pics or video.

All I can say is "stay tuned"..I will say the sounds from the "super bass B" unit sound good.

I saw you purchased the set, you will not be disappointed.

Donald 

3rail 2 posted:

Hello Marty. I would love to do that for you guys but I need to be a little careful with how much of my layout I publish. Allan is planning to do a "full feature" hopefully next year in the magazine and we both agreed not to "spill the beans" when it comes to posting too many pics or video.

All I can say is "stay tuned"..I will say the sounds from the "super bass B" unit sound good.

I saw you purchased the set, you will not be disappointed.

Donald 

Thanks Donald.  I understand.  If you do get a clip without exposing much of the layout I'd love to see it.  Have fun!

Does anyone know when they changed from the screens to the grills on the #22's?

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/581911/

Mine are at my dealer, and on September 20th, I plan to pick them up....I think from the pictures presented here in this thread, I will be well pleased. I have the older El Capitan Set, Lionel 18 inch aluminum, 7 Car Set, being updated with LED controlled lighting by Royz Trains.  Wow, merry Christmas in September.....I am excited that these are the very best to date, and Blue Tooth compatible..... I am happy with the colors shown here, and the detailing. Happy Railroading.... (for real power, one could get 2 powered B’s..?) Wow!

Stainless steel grills much happened in 1949 with the introduction of the F7.  Although there were some unofficial "F5's," (late model F3's) in 1948 that may have had grills. 

Railroads could later upgrade their F3's with the grills.  Santa Fe eventually upgraded all their passenger F3's with grills along with other external changes.

Rusty

Got my AA set today. One small piece of plastic on the outside of the dummy truck was broken but I repaired it with CA. I wish the red was a little more glossy but they are really nice units. I don't know about the packing though. It seemed like they just  placed pieces of styrofoam in random spots around the trucks. Overall very nice!

Picked up my ABA Super Bass set last week at Charles Ro and, even though my new layout is still under construction, I couldn't resist temporarily hooking up a transformer and Legacy and running this beautiful set with a few MTH El Capitan passenger cars and taking a video and a few pictures. Very pleased !

Richie C. posted:

Picked up my ABA Super Bass set last week at Charles Ro and, even though my new layout is still under construction, I couldn't resist temporarily hooking up a transformer and Legacy and running this beautiful set with a few MTH El Capitan passenger cars and taking a video and a few pictures. Very pleased !

Nice, enjoy! 

Could you post an image of the A unit coupled to the baggage car so we can compare the stainless panels? Thanks!

There is a gap between the frame and the shell at the nose of the locomotive that allows some light from the number boards and head light to bleed through illuminating the pilot and trucks.

Also the number board LED's light up the cab and front head lights when the cab lights are turned off and the head lights are tuned off. 

I just wondered if anyone has light insulated the number boards and what method used. 

I called Lionel today and they won't replace the different length B unit couplers. She said they are the correct ones for this unit but may be changed on future runs. I wish I knew what coupler to order to make them even.