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Sure looks pretty!
Rusty
Rusty
I'm not a U-33 operator but I"ll have to admit that is a nice looking loco.
From this angle of the photo I can't really tell, but it doesn't look like it's a high water model with too much air gap between the trucks and body.
Very interested to know what type of drive but I'll have to admit Lionel has made a very nice looking model.
Thanks for sharing.
Butch
From this angle of the photo I can't really tell, but it doesn't look like it's a high water model with too much air gap between the trucks and body.
Very interested to know what type of drive but I'll have to admit Lionel has made a very nice looking model.
Thanks for sharing.
Butch
At this point I am liking it. Not sure if I will need to fix the pilots or not. This pic is at a weird angle, but it does look pretty tight. About the only thing I can think of other than the pilots is that we need more than just 1 roadnumber per unit! Ironically this is only an issue because the Legacy sound system actually uses the roadnumber in the audio. Otherwise I would just change the number. It's a trivial thing I know, but an extra number or two would be an easy fix 
Or at least offer a non-powered unit.
Rusty
Rusty
Hi All
I was talking to my dealer today and was checking the status of my orders, he did tell me that he expected that U33 to be delivered as early as Monday at his facilities, so after 2 and 1/2 years it looks like they will be here soon!!!
I was talking to my dealer today and was checking the status of my orders, he did tell me that he expected that U33 to be delivered as early as Monday at his facilities, so after 2 and 1/2 years it looks like they will be here soon!!!
I was looking at the Lionel site two days ago and the status had not changed from Dec 11 to actually being shipped. Hopefully they are coming as I have a BN on order.
I saw that the SP and Erie passenger cars have now slipped to early spring 2012. This is not a way to run a railroad or a company!
I saw that the SP and Erie passenger cars have now slipped to early spring 2012. This is not a way to run a railroad or a company!
I have the BN on order too.
I read on the 3 rail side once that the items can be on the boat 1 to 2 weeks sometimes before the shipping schedule is up dated. Don't know if that is true.
Ben
I read on the 3 rail side once that the items can be on the boat 1 to 2 weeks sometimes before the shipping schedule is up dated. Don't know if that is true.
Ben
Hi
it is my experiance that my dealer has the product before Lionel updates there site this has happened the last few years. I got notice from dealer with a FED X tracking number on my Challenger that they were shipped and the Lionel site was just updated as shipped!
it is my experiance that my dealer has the product before Lionel updates there site this has happened the last few years. I got notice from dealer with a FED X tracking number on my Challenger that they were shipped and the Lionel site was just updated as shipped!
Hi Got nofication today that my u33 were shipped, scheduled to be received tomorrow 12/28. Checked the lionel site and they listed them shipped.
I have been wait since 2009 hope they will live up to expectation!
I have been wait since 2009 hope they will live up to expectation!
Hi all
received my two u33 today a SP and conrail, took both out of the box all all look good noticed that one hand rail was not attached to the fron step on the SP. I did not have much time today but did load the legacy module in both and programed the eng. put them on the track and gave them a run both performed amazing, they run fine and I was amazed how smooth they run at slow speed they will just crawl along! Well I waited since 2009 and I believe Lionel did a supper job, well that is it for today got to run!
received my two u33 today a SP and conrail, took both out of the box all all look good noticed that one hand rail was not attached to the fron step on the SP. I did not have much time today but did load the legacy module in both and programed the eng. put them on the track and gave them a run both performed amazing, they run fine and I was amazed how smooth they run at slow speed they will just crawl along! Well I waited since 2009 and I believe Lionel did a supper job, well that is it for today got to run!
quote:Originally posted by toy1:
Hi all
received my two u33 today a SP and conrail, took both out of the box all all look good noticed that one hand rail was not attached to the fron step on the SP. I did not have much time today but did load the legacy module in both and programed the eng. put them on the track and gave them a run both performed amazing, they run fine and I was amazed how smooth they run at slow speed they will just crawl along! Well I waited since 2009 and I believe Lionel did a supper job, well that is it for today got to run!
That is good to hear considering how poorly it ran in the Lionel video.
I found out mine should be shipping on January 5th. Since they were advertised with scale wheels, I hope everyone sends their proof of purchase to Lionel to ask for the scale wheels. Even if you don't use them, they might be useful in trade or including with the engine if you decide to sell later.
Greg Elems
Greg Elems
Got my Erie-Lackawanna today. Seems to have a decidedly downward rake towards the front. I removed the shell to get a look inside and before I removed the first screw, a small washer landed on my desk. Have no idea where from. Hopefully not a sign of things to come. The height difference appears to be between the rear truck and the chassis mounting. Sure is crowded inside the shell. I'll investigate further in the future to find the cause of the rake. Runs fantastic, smokes well, runs smooth with a great sounding quilling horn with Legacy.
Rich
Rich
On flat surface. Measurements are virtually identical.
Great photos. Can anyone provide some of the SP unit? Thanks, and best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year in 2012.
FlyerRich look at the fuel tank in your picture. Just like mine it is not parallel to the bottom edge of the shell. You can also see this on Major's picture.
On my engine the bottom edge of the shell also measures the same to a flat surface across its length.
I am wondering if the studs the tank is attached to are not the same length.
Have you noticed any hesitation or jerky motion at very slow speeds? Mine seems to have that problem going forward when turning left in particular. I think its the gears. When I turnoff all of the sounds you can hear the gears grinding in the turns.
On my engine the bottom edge of the shell also measures the same to a flat surface across its length.
I am wondering if the studs the tank is attached to are not the same length.
Have you noticed any hesitation or jerky motion at very slow speeds? Mine seems to have that problem going forward when turning left in particular. I think its the gears. When I turnoff all of the sounds you can hear the gears grinding in the turns.
I see what you mean now. But there's no 3/32 inch difference anywhere. My example of the Erie runs flawlessly in TMCC. No hesitation, no nothing. Did you perform the lube job recommended in the video?
Well my U33C EL is going back to the dealer tomorrow and they are shipping me out another. It consistently pulsates or hesitates when going slowly. Much worse on curves, especially when in a left hand turn. Very un-acceptable! I turned off the sound system and you can hear a noticable change in gear noise especially in the curves. Its not a pickup problem as the sounds and lights never cutout. I suspect a mechanical problem.
Sorry to hear of some of the troubles a few of you are having. A friend of mine brought his 2 EL U33Cs over the other evening. They both ran well in Legacy mode, sounded good, and looked fine. We lashed them together and they ran well that way too. Sounds off they ran quietly and smooth - - even at One Step speed, so I guess some of them turned out OK. Earlier, after 2 dud Challengers, I cancelled my order for a u-boat. Still not sure I'm going to buy one. I have TMCC converted diesels with sounds, even a b-unit with smoke, and while the u-boats look nice and sound pretty good, just really not sure I'm crazy about the swiveling steps or all that certain I need another engine.
My U33-c has performed well with TMCC. Horn, Bell, smoke, couplers and crew talk all perform as advertised. Performance is very nice. I run my locomotives slow and this one runs smoothly, even in convential mode. Some have commented on the fuel tank being at a slight angle. I took a careful look at mine because I did not notice it being at an angle. It is a little lower in the back but so little that it is not even worth mentioning.
The moving steps with the trucks while not correct are no worse in my opinion then the large openings in the pilots of other manufacturers locomotives. Since we run our trains on curves that would derail real locomotives, allowances have to be made in the models to negotiate the curves. The detail is great and the paint job is superb. I lubed the locomotive and the gear noise is minimal.
The only real complaint I have is that the gears should have been inside the truck housing. Being outside will exposed them to dirt and debris. However the exposed gears are not noticiable at normal viewing distances. This locomotive so far in my opinion is a winner!
I really smoked the place up over the week end with a challenger and the U33C running at the same time!
The moving steps with the trucks while not correct are no worse in my opinion then the large openings in the pilots of other manufacturers locomotives. Since we run our trains on curves that would derail real locomotives, allowances have to be made in the models to negotiate the curves. The detail is great and the paint job is superb. I lubed the locomotive and the gear noise is minimal.
The only real complaint I have is that the gears should have been inside the truck housing. Being outside will exposed them to dirt and debris. However the exposed gears are not noticiable at normal viewing distances. This locomotive so far in my opinion is a winner!
I really smoked the place up over the week end with a challenger and the U33C running at the same time!
Success! I called Lionel about the difference in truck heights and they said they have not recieved any U33C's back yet. I told him about my raked Erie and after getting the gist that they don't know much about them yet as the model was just dumped on them, I asked how much I could investigate before my warrenty was voided. He said short of breaking something I was OK. After removing the shell and disconnecting the 4 mini plugs, I removed the two trucks one at a time via the central screw on the bottom to get a look at how they were attached and what might be different. The trucks are fastened to the chassis via a post protruding from the chassis. The truck rotates on the post thru a shouldered plastic bushing not unlike the fiber bushings found on AF tenders. The problem was that the bushing was not seated in the truck properly. A little pressure and it popped right in. Now all is level and well.
Rich
Rich
Thanks for sharing that with us. Good to know you don't have to send anything back and that this DIY fix should address the rake should it show up for anyone else.
quote:Earlier, after 2 dud Challengers, I cancelled my order for a u-boat. Still not sure I'm going to buy one. I have TMCC converted diesels with sounds, even a b-unit with smoke, and while the u-boats look nice and sound pretty good, just really not sure I'm crazy about the swiveling steps or all that certain I need another engine.
Given it's less than half the price of a Challenger, I think it's a winner. But I do agree about the needing another engine thing.
quote:Originally posted by Sgaugian:
I have TMCC converted diesels with sounds, even a b-unit with smoke, and while the u-boats look nice and sound pretty good, just really not sure I'm crazy about the swiveling steps or all that certain I need another engine.
I'm pretty sure that most of us don't NEED another engine.
I know I don't, but....What strikes me is how many folks get upset about the swinging pilots. Must be a Flyer thing. I grew up with Lionel O gauge and the pilots don't bother me. Yeah, it looks a little funky on a curve, but looks fine on the straights.
I prefer a swinging pilot to that HUGE gap in the pilot that Flyer had. The opening always made the diesels look incomplete.
Besides, the standard Flyer curve is larger in comparision to the O31 curve of lionel and becuse of the smaller scale of Flyer, the swinging pilot should be less noticable.
Rusty
Received my replacement EL U33C. Much improved smoother operation at slow speeds. Engine does not seem to have that rake problem but still has the fuel tank on one side not parallel with the bottom of the shell. Going to try and remove and check the 4 mounting points. Might be a problem with one not seating properly. The engine has a slight lean to one side. Not sure why but might be same problem as Richabr found with a bushing.
Has anybody noticed that using Legacy the engine sound does not seem to increase in RPM as you accelerate or go up a hill. You can do that manually with the 3 and 6 key but I thought it should happen automatically. Even Railsounds 4 steam units adjust the chuff if you accelerate or go up an incline.
Has anybody noticed that using Legacy the engine sound does not seem to increase in RPM as you accelerate or go up a hill. You can do that manually with the 3 and 6 key but I thought it should happen automatically. Even Railsounds 4 steam units adjust the chuff if you accelerate or go up an incline.
I only have TMCC, and I have not notice any real difference in the U33C engine sounds at different speeds. No grades at present since I am running only a carpet central. For me personally I keep the noise at the lowest setting possible, but even when i have had the volume turned up it all sounded about the same at different speeds.
I do not much care for any of the diesel sounds from any of the manufactures, This includes Flyer's "Diesel roar", S- helper, American Models, Dallee sound systems and now Lionel. To me it is all background white noise and becomes annoying over time. I however like the volume feature with Lionel where the roar is subdued but the bell and whistle remains the same! You cannot do that with the other systems.
This is by far the best diesel locomotive Lionel has ever produced for S-Scale
I do not much care for any of the diesel sounds from any of the manufactures, This includes Flyer's "Diesel roar", S- helper, American Models, Dallee sound systems and now Lionel. To me it is all background white noise and becomes annoying over time. I however like the volume feature with Lionel where the roar is subdued but the bell and whistle remains the same! You cannot do that with the other systems.
This is by far the best diesel locomotive Lionel has ever produced for S-Scale
Fellow Train People,
My U33C arrived last night around 7PM. I unpacked the loco (along with
the accompanying caboose) and looked it over well. First of all, the
loco is perfectly level. Second, the paint and decoration is superb!
Third, the detail is on par with any item made by any other
manufacturer. Lionel has to be commended for this one. They're really
trying. Fourth, swing pilots are not the greatest thing, but my
American Models GG1 also has them, so it doesn't bother me all that
much. The loco is designed for minimum 36" curves, so if you want it to
function on those curves, allowances have to be made. BTW, I got the
Great Northern version. However, before I did anything I read the
instructions (imagine that!). Since I don't do TMCC or Legacy, I was
able to skip most of them. BUT, around 8PM, we got a call from our son
in Pittsburgh, who is expecting the arrival of our first grandchild.
First things first, after all. So, here we are in Pittsburgh awaiting
another arrival. Imagine, waiting all this time for things to happen,
and two nice things happen within an hour of each other! The loco can
wait, but the kid isn't, however, he/she is taking his/her time. All good
things are worth the wait, aren't they? Photos of my U33C will be
posted in my photo album and imbedded in a message when I get home. Photos of The Kid will be sent to family and friends.
I was planning on gutting the electronic stuff from the loco, but I'm
not sure if I'll actually do it. Some of the features of Legacy are
accessible with a standard transformer (horn, bell, engine sounds, cab
talk), which is what I plan on using. Note to the electronic fans-for
me it's not worth it to invest in the Legacy/TMCC controls. I have no
other items with it. A fellow club member, Bob Bubeck and I have been
ribbing each other on the merits of this stuff. He hasn't convinced me,
and I haven't convinced him. Suffice to say, that in spite of it all,
we remain friends and respect each others opinions.
Jerry Poniatowski
Waiting in Pittsburgh
My U33C arrived last night around 7PM. I unpacked the loco (along with
the accompanying caboose) and looked it over well. First of all, the
loco is perfectly level. Second, the paint and decoration is superb!
Third, the detail is on par with any item made by any other
manufacturer. Lionel has to be commended for this one. They're really
trying. Fourth, swing pilots are not the greatest thing, but my
American Models GG1 also has them, so it doesn't bother me all that
much. The loco is designed for minimum 36" curves, so if you want it to
function on those curves, allowances have to be made. BTW, I got the
Great Northern version. However, before I did anything I read the
instructions (imagine that!). Since I don't do TMCC or Legacy, I was
able to skip most of them. BUT, around 8PM, we got a call from our son
in Pittsburgh, who is expecting the arrival of our first grandchild.
First things first, after all. So, here we are in Pittsburgh awaiting
another arrival. Imagine, waiting all this time for things to happen,
and two nice things happen within an hour of each other! The loco can
wait, but the kid isn't, however, he/she is taking his/her time. All good
things are worth the wait, aren't they? Photos of my U33C will be
posted in my photo album and imbedded in a message when I get home. Photos of The Kid will be sent to family and friends.
I was planning on gutting the electronic stuff from the loco, but I'm
not sure if I'll actually do it. Some of the features of Legacy are
accessible with a standard transformer (horn, bell, engine sounds, cab
talk), which is what I plan on using. Note to the electronic fans-for
me it's not worth it to invest in the Legacy/TMCC controls. I have no
other items with it. A fellow club member, Bob Bubeck and I have been
ribbing each other on the merits of this stuff. He hasn't convinced me,
and I haven't convinced him. Suffice to say, that in spite of it all,
we remain friends and respect each others opinions.
Jerry Poniatowski
Waiting in Pittsburgh
quote:Originally posted by poniaj:
Fellow Train People,
My U33C arrived last night around 7PM. I unpacked the loco (along with
the accompanying caboose) and looked it over well. First of all, the
loco is perfectly level. Second, the paint and decoration is superb!
Third, the detail is on par with any item made by any other
manufacturer. Lionel has to be commended for this one. They're really
trying. Fourth, swing pilots are not the greatest thing, but my
American Models GG1 also has them, so it doesn't bother me all that
much. The loco is designed for minimum 36" curves, so if you want it to
function on those curves, allowances have to be made. BTW, I got the
Great Northern version. However, before I did anything I read the
instructions (imagine that!).
Reading the instructions??? Sacrelige!!!
quote:Since I don't do TMCC or Legacy, I was
able to skip most of them. BUT, around 8PM, we got a call from our son
in Pittsburgh, who is expecting the arrival of our first grandchild.
First things first, after all. So, here we are in Pittsburgh awaiting
another arrival. Imagine, waiting all this time for things to happen,
and two nice things happen within an hour of each other! The loco can
wait, but the kid isn't, however, he/she is taking his/her time. All good
things are worth the wait, aren't they? Photos of my U33C will be
posted in my photo album and imbedded in a message when I get home. Photos of The Kid will be sent to family and friends.
Congratulations!!! And your grandchild's coming in LESS time than the U33C!
quote:I was planning on gutting the electronic stuff from the loco, but I'm
not sure if I'll actually do it. Some of the features of Legacy are
accessible with a standard transformer (horn, bell, engine sounds, cab
talk), which is what I plan on using. Note to the electronic fans-for
me it's not worth it to invest in the Legacy/TMCC controls. I have no
other items with it. A fellow club member, Bob Bubeck and I have been
ribbing each other on the merits of this stuff. He hasn't convinced me,
and I haven't convinced him. Suffice to say, that in spite of it all,
we remain friends and respect each others opinions.
Jerry Poniatowski
Waiting in Pittsburgh
Looking forward to how the GN unit looks.
Rusty
Happy to report that my Erie-Lackawanna sample arrived yesterday and emerged from its box in fine shape. My sample sits level when viewed from the ends and from the side. The wheels indicate some factory trial wear, which is a good thing from a QC standpoint. I had an opportunity to run it conventionally, with Cab-1, and with Cab-2 (Legacy).
Likes:
1. Very good detail and appealing decoration.
2. Nice horn and bell, electrocouplers, and smoke. Cab light turns off when motion commences. The brake squeal was encoded into the Railsounds and functions properly when stopping from higher speeds. Motive power sound intensity may be accessed via keys 3 and 6 (but, labored EFX and feedback effects via Cab-2 are not functionally present). Motive power sound does increase and decrease with track voltage in conventional mode.
3. 'AF speed control' functions well in conventional or under TMCC (once one selects a high momentum setting). Somewhat finer and more extensive speed control is attainable using Legacy Cab-2 over Cab-1.
4. Generally smooth operation. Break-in went pretty easily (slightly more power train noise is noticeable running at speed on Gilbert curves compared to running at on straights). The U33C has good pulling power.
5. Good value, overall, for the price ($310.00) when all of the features are considered. The inclusion of the means of obtaining all the features in such a small space is a true design accomplishment.
6. Scale flanged wheel sets and coupler mounting for the scale crowd.
7. Its arrival gave me the excuse to finally unbox the L-AF E-L BW caboose that has set M/OB for about a year and a half.
Nits to pick:
1. AF speed control (back emf system) is not the true equivalent of Odyssey II, which gives a greater gradation of speed control when using Cab-1 or Cab-2. The usable speeds (i.e., rational smph settings) are concentrated on the lower end of the range of train speed selection normally available via a Cab-2.
2. The swinging pilot arrangement is a slight negative for me, although the fully enclosed pilot utilized does look better on straights and broad curves.
3. Legacy labored EFX and feedback sound effects via Cab-2 are not functionally present. The AF Big Boy does labored chuff via EFX and Train Brake on Cab-2 beautifully. The new AF diesels should have the motive power sound equivalent.
Overall, a very good effort, but with some room for improvement.
Bob Bubeck
Likes:
1. Very good detail and appealing decoration.
2. Nice horn and bell, electrocouplers, and smoke. Cab light turns off when motion commences. The brake squeal was encoded into the Railsounds and functions properly when stopping from higher speeds. Motive power sound intensity may be accessed via keys 3 and 6 (but, labored EFX and feedback effects via Cab-2 are not functionally present). Motive power sound does increase and decrease with track voltage in conventional mode.
3. 'AF speed control' functions well in conventional or under TMCC (once one selects a high momentum setting). Somewhat finer and more extensive speed control is attainable using Legacy Cab-2 over Cab-1.
4. Generally smooth operation. Break-in went pretty easily (slightly more power train noise is noticeable running at speed on Gilbert curves compared to running at on straights). The U33C has good pulling power.
5. Good value, overall, for the price ($310.00) when all of the features are considered. The inclusion of the means of obtaining all the features in such a small space is a true design accomplishment.
6. Scale flanged wheel sets and coupler mounting for the scale crowd.
7. Its arrival gave me the excuse to finally unbox the L-AF E-L BW caboose that has set M/OB for about a year and a half.
Nits to pick:
1. AF speed control (back emf system) is not the true equivalent of Odyssey II, which gives a greater gradation of speed control when using Cab-1 or Cab-2. The usable speeds (i.e., rational smph settings) are concentrated on the lower end of the range of train speed selection normally available via a Cab-2.
2. The swinging pilot arrangement is a slight negative for me, although the fully enclosed pilot utilized does look better on straights and broad curves.
3. Legacy labored EFX and feedback sound effects via Cab-2 are not functionally present. The AF Big Boy does labored chuff via EFX and Train Brake on Cab-2 beautifully. The new AF diesels should have the motive power sound equivalent.
Overall, a very good effort, but with some room for improvement.
Bob Bubeck
quote:Originally posted by poniaj:
Fellow Train People,
......BUT, around 8PM, we got a call from our son
in Pittsburgh, who is expecting the arrival of our first grandchild.
First things first, after all. So, here we are in Pittsburgh awaiting
another arrival. Imagine, waiting all this time for things to happen,
and two nice things happen within an hour of each other! .....
Jerry Poniatowski
Waiting in Pittsburgh
Harty congratulations!
Bob B.
My U33C S/P ran in TMCC for 16 minutes!
Had short circut at rear truck wire was aganst wheel flange and cut through
insulation
I did the repair used two coats liquid electrical tape to cover cut in
insulation. Pushed wires into shell.
Now have 4hr running time everything works.
In 100 speed steps with low momentum slow speed is outstanding.
Front end platform has major upward angle on one side. Looks fike shell warp
in injection molding process.
Had short circut at rear truck wire was aganst wheel flange and cut through
insulation
I did the repair used two coats liquid electrical tape to cover cut in
insulation. Pushed wires into shell.
Now have 4hr running time everything works.
In 100 speed steps with low momentum slow speed is outstanding.
Front end platform has major upward angle on one side. Looks fike shell warp
in injection molding process.
Well, I’m kinda late to the party, but I got my Erie Lackawanna U33C last night. Test ran it at the LHS, ran fine. Had to go to work today, so I didn’t get a chance to gaze longingly at the unit until tonight.
Yeah, it’s got a slight slope, looks like the body’s not seated all the way down on the frame. I half expected that from previous reports.
I was going to take some comparison shots with the AM U25B and some other "scale environment" shots, but my party’s been pooped. So instead, I shot a few quick pics for show ’n tell:
The right side, all looks well:
Ah, but turn her around and a problem I didn’t catch while basking in the glow at my LHS becomes evident. It's what I get for not removing the styrofoam packing during the test run:
There’s no yellow striping on the left side of the hood. It’s present on the cab, which would’ve been decorated separately, but not on the hood.
So back she goes on the next trip to the LHS next Friday. Hopefully, Lionel can still replace it.
Rusty
Yeah, it’s got a slight slope, looks like the body’s not seated all the way down on the frame. I half expected that from previous reports.
I was going to take some comparison shots with the AM U25B and some other "scale environment" shots, but my party’s been pooped. So instead, I shot a few quick pics for show ’n tell:
The right side, all looks well:
Ah, but turn her around and a problem I didn’t catch while basking in the glow at my LHS becomes evident. It's what I get for not removing the styrofoam packing during the test run:
There’s no yellow striping on the left side of the hood. It’s present on the cab, which would’ve been decorated separately, but not on the hood.
So back she goes on the next trip to the LHS next Friday. Hopefully, Lionel can still replace it.
Rusty
Wow. This has been a sad thread to read. Issue upon issue. Overall, the unit looks pretty good. However, there's WAY too much radius on the top of the nose. That makes the short nose look very "Alco" instead of U-Boat.
In all: So close... yet so far away.
Hopefully those of you with U-Boat issues will be able to get them resolved.
Andre
In all: So close... yet so far away.
Hopefully those of you with U-Boat issues will be able to get them resolved.
Andre
quote:Originally posted by laming:
Wow. This has been a sad thread to read. Issue upon issue. Overall, the unit looks pretty good. However, there's WAY too much radius on the top of the nose. That makes the short nose look very "Alco" instead of U-Boat.
In all: So close... yet so far away.
Hopefully those of you with U-Boat issues will be able to get them resolved.
Andre
One of the boys on Yahoo S-Scale also pointed out the incorrect nose radius. Funny thing is, Lionel's O-Gauge model has a correct nose...
In olden days, the missing stripes would be hailed as a "unique factory error" and the locomotive would actually go UP in value on the collectors market!
Hmmm.... Maybe my U-Boat's now worth bazillions and it can help fund my retirement!
Well, not really, the world has changed...While I'm not going to write Lionel/Flyer off yet, the O-Gauge side has had praise for Customer Service, so I'm giving them a chance to rectify my problem.
But, with this combined with other reports, they're beginning to stand on shakey ground.
Rusty
Rusty, that striping issue REALLY sucks. I hope L steps up for you. I still have not gotten my BN, but that is because my LHS is a one man show and the one man is out for a while.
quote:However, there's WAY too much radius on the top of the nose.
Yes. It is possible to find photos of prototypes within a minute's search on the internet that show this to be so.
Bob Bubeck
quote:Originally posted by Rusty Traque:
In olden days, the missing stripes would be hailed as a "unique factory error" and the locomotive would actually go UP in value on the collectors market!
Hmmm.... Maybe my U-Boat's now worth bazillions and it can help fund my retirement!
Rusty
That was my first thought when I read your first post and looked at the photos....
Why is that not still the case? An error is an error,regardless of where the factory is located,right?
Mark in Oregon
quote:Originally posted by Rusty Traque:quote:Originally posted by Strummer:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rusty Traque:
In olden days, the missing stripes would be hailed as a "unique factory error" and the locomotive would actually go UP in value on the collectors market!
Hmmm.... Maybe my U-Boat's now worth bazillions and it can help fund my retirement!
Rusty
That was my first thought when I read your first post and looked at the photos....
Why is that not still the case? An error is an error,regardless of where the factory is located,right?
Mark in Oregon
I think what aggravates the situation, is the extended delays and longer wait times for this stuff nowadays.
Also, in general, the overall model train market has shifted from collectors to operators. And with the prices being paid nowadays, people are expecting a quality product.
Rusty
Please don't misunderstand my last post:
I totally agree and am sympathetic to your situation; as a relative newcomer, I was merely asking, and in no way was making light of your ( and others, it seems) frustration.
I hope you and all the others who have paid good $ for these products will get some degree of satisfaction when all is said and done...
Mark in Oregon
quote:Originally posted by Strummer:quote:Originally posted by Rusty Traque:quote:Originally posted by Strummer:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rusty Traque:
In olden days, the missing stripes would be hailed as a "unique factory error" and the locomotive would actually go UP in value on the collectors market!
Hmmm.... Maybe my U-Boat's now worth bazillions and it can help fund my retirement!
Rusty
That was my first thought when I read your first post and looked at the photos....
Why is that not still the case? An error is an error,regardless of where the factory is located,right?
Mark in Oregon
I think what aggravates the situation, is the extended delays and longer wait times for this stuff nowadays.
Also, in general, the overall model train market has shifted from collectors to operators. And with the prices being paid nowadays, people are expecting a quality product.
Rusty
Please don't misunderstand my last post:
I totally agree and am sympathetic to your situation; as a relative newcomer, I was merely asking, and in no way was making light of your ( and others, it seems) frustration.
I hope you and all the others who have paid good $ for these products will get some degree of satisfaction when all is said and done...
Mark in Oregon
Don't worry Mark. I'm less frustrated than it appears. While the missing stripes are dissapointing (and I am VERY disappointed) it's not the end of the world for me. It's been turned over to my dealer for resolution.
I work in a manufacturing environment and it's amazing the obvious problems that sometimes come to my bench for repair that got missed by very competent people. Sometimes, in the repetetive nature of manufacturing, the mind fills in what the eyes miss. Still, when something slips past multiple eyes and makes it out the door, the customer has a right to be disappointed or upset.
Back when dinasours and collectors ruled the Earth in the 1980's, it seemed like almost every little boo-boo out of Lionel was considered a "factory variation" and the occasional frenzy that would accompany it. The SP Trainmaster I mentioned earlier was one such thing.
But still, I believe my statement about delays is true. Expectations are much higher now than they were 30 years ago. Delays between cataloging and delivery only add to the frustration when a problem occurs.
Rusty
