Why is it that the pilots newer Alcos are so hollow looking ? The early post-war Alco pilots seem not to have that open hollow look.
Anyone buying this set might want to watch out for the wires on the passenger cars. The yellow conventional classic anniversary set remake from circa 2013 was the first to have significantly downsized wires compared with all previously issued cars. I am curious whether they went back to a heavier wire size or maintained this cost-cutting measure at the expense of safety and quality. The issue with the extremely thin wires is that they are very easily destroyed in the event of a short, especially for people using postwar transformers. A simple derailment on a switch can smoke and melt these wires into a terrible mess both inside and outside the car in a matter of a second or two.
GregR posted:Anyone buying this set might want to watch out for the wires on the passenger cars. The yellow conventional classic anniversary set remake from circa 2013 was the first to have significantly downsized wires compared with all previously issued cars. I am curious whether they went back to a heavier wire size or maintained this cost-cutting measure at the expense of safety and quality. The issue with the extremely thin wires is that they are very easily destroyed in the event of a short, especially for people using postwar transformers. A simple derailment on a switch can smoke and melt these wires into a terrible mess both inside and outside the car in a matter of a second or two.
Hi Greg, Given all of the electronics in the engine, the post wart transformer should have a TVS added to protect the engine. There are several threads on the topic, here is a link to the most referred to source on how to construct one.
http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/TV...ar-Layout-Protection
I have a question? Plastic bodies. plastic based bulbs. Where do you think this short will occur that will burn the wires? Also, is it possible they are using led's in the passenger cars.
From the very first post in this thread;
"The cars have 18 volt mini bulbs that when I ran them at normal speed of 8.5 volts, the cars are virtually unlit. "
No leds.
shawn posted:I have a question? Plastic bodies. plastic based bulbs. Where do you think this short will occur that will burn the wires? Also, is it possible they are using led's in the passenger cars.
Derailment. Roller at one end is on center rail. Roller at other end is on outside rail. Now you have a short. Result: Burned up, melted, chared wires from one truck, into the body, through the body and back down to the opposite truck. Typical issue, over and over, with the cheap wiring on these, and the Polar Express cars. I do repairs for our LHS and have rewired dozens of passenger cars with cheap, insufficient wiring in the past few weeks alone. The postwar cars had heavier wire which would usually trip the breaker before going ablaze. Plastic bodies and bulb holders don't stop these shorts one bit. The bulbs in the green cars are not LED's apparently.
GregR posted:shawn posted:I have a question? Plastic bodies. plastic based bulbs. Where do you think this short will occur that will burn the wires? Also, is it possible they are using led's in the passenger cars.
Derailment. Roller at one end is on center rail. Roller at other end is on outside rail. Now you have a short. Result: Burned up, melted, chared wires from one truck, into the body, through the body and back down to the opposite truck. Typical issue, over and over, with the cheap wiring on these, and the Polar Express cars. I do repairs for our LHS and have rewired dozens of passenger cars with cheap, insufficient wiring in the past few weeks alone. The postwar cars had heavier wire which would usually trip the breaker before going ablaze. Plastic bodies and bulb holders don't stop these shorts one bit. The bulbs in the green cars are not LED's apparently.
Depends o the way the car is wired..
I should be receiving my set today. Not too happy with reading these comments...May send it back before opening it......
ZWPOWER13 posted:I should be receiving my set today. Not too happy with reading these comments...May send it back before opening it......
Me too, Mark. In fact's it been delivered but am at the office! 
Lots of negative stuff being thrown around (including several posters who don't even own this set) but take a look at Dave B.'s excellent review -- with lots of pictures -- in another thread. He seems to be happy with his. 
Well after seeing that other thread, the set doesnt look too bad. Just have to put in different bulbs in the cars.
johnstrains posted:ZWPOWER13 posted:I should be receiving my set today. Not too happy with reading these comments...May send it back before opening it......
Me too, Mark. In fact's it been delivered but am at the office!
Lots of negative stuff being thrown around (including several posters who don't even own this set) but take a look at Dave B.'s excellent review -- with lots of pictures -- in another thread. He seems to be happy with his.
Well, when your told the plastic bodies are so flimsy they squish, the engines must be cradled from the bottom for fear of the body imploding, and car light wiring that'll burn the house down because the rollers are going different directions than the trucks, I'd say my hunch is probably correct without having to purchase it.
MattR posted:johnstrains posted:ZWPOWER13 posted:I should be receiving my set today. Not too happy with reading these comments...May send it back before opening it......
Me too, Mark. In fact's it been delivered but am at the office!
Lots of negative stuff being thrown around (including several posters who don't even own this set) but take a look at Dave B.'s excellent review -- with lots of pictures -- in another thread. He seems to be happy with his.
Well, when your told the plastic bodies are so flimsy they squish, the engines must be cradled from the bottom for fear of the body imploding, and car light wiring that'll burn the house down because the rollers are going different directions than the trucks, I'd say my hunch is probably correct without having to purchase it.
Suit yourself.
When I open mine this evening I'll let you know right here.
Derailment. Roller at one end is on center rail. Roller at other end is on outside rail. Now you have a short. Result: Burned up, melted, chared wires from one truck, into the body, through the body and back down to the opposite truck. Typical issue, over and over, with the cheap wiring on these, and the Polar Express cars. I do repairs for our LHS and have rewired dozens of passenger cars with cheap, insufficient wiring in the past few weeks alone. The postwar cars had heavier wire which would usually trip the breaker before going ablaze. Plastic bodies and bulb holders don't stop these shorts one bit. The bulbs in the green cars are not LED's apparently.
I understand there can be an issue with the insulation on wires melting, maybe even portions of the car body/roof that were in contact with the hot wire melting. But "going ablaze"? Who has seen evidence of a train catching on fire?
Does this happen when running the trains with a current power supply, or only when people are using old school power without adequate external protection?
Well my set arrived, but I did not open it yet. I will do that tomorrow, from watching the video in the other thread, the set looks great. I dont think the shells are too thin from the photos I have seen, and I would always pick up a train from its trucks and not grab it and man handle the plastic shell. Especially with a metal frame. Johnstrains, what do you think of your set?
ZWPOWER13 posted:Well my set arrived, but I did not open it yet. I will do that tomorrow, from watching the video in the other thread, the set looks great. I dont think the shells are too thin from the photos I have seen, and I would always pick up a train from its trucks and not grab it and man handle the plastic shell. Especially with a metal frame. Johnstrains, what do you think of your set?
Mark,
Have literally spent last 45 minutes or so opening it. Everything looks great! I carefully unpacked the locos from their individual boxes with no problems. Reminds of the CC packaging. Fit and finish is fine and of course really love the green paint!
So far have unpacked only one passenger car so I could look it over. All is well !
Lubed and lightly oiled the AA units and just ran them on my layout for about 20 minutes for first impressions. Smooth runners and really like the LED headlights.
Am going to add to my review later -- probably tomorrow -- and hope to get some pics posted.
Good job, Lionel! 
Btw, I totally agree with you. I just compared these new Alcos to three different Alco AA sets from the Conventional Classics line --- UP Anniversary Set, Orbiter Set, and the 218 Santa Fe Diesels. I can't tell any difference in the shells.
johnstrains posted:ZWPOWER13 posted:Well my set arrived, but I did not open it yet. I will do that tomorrow, from watching the video in the other thread, the set looks great. I dont think the shells are too thin from the photos I have seen, and I would always pick up a train from its trucks and not grab it and man handle the plastic shell. Especially with a metal frame. Johnstrains, what do you think of your set?
Mark,
Have literally spent last 45 minutes or so opening it. Everything looks great! I carefully unpacked the locos from their individual boxes with no problems. Reminds of the CC packaging. Fit and finish is fine and of course really love the green paint!
So far have unpacked only one passenger car so I could look it over. All is well !
Lubed and lightly oiled the AA units and just ran them on my layout for about 20 minutes for first impressions. Smooth runners and really like the LED headlights.
Am going to add to my review later -- probably tomorrow -- and hope to get some pics posted.
Good job, Lionel!
Hi Guys, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
A few quick pics of the AA units on the layout. Great Stuff! 
Full passenger consist later.
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They look good, maybe us naysayers are wrong. Glad things are sounding better so far.
MattR posted:They look good, maybe us naysayers are wrong. Glad things are sounding better so far.
Well, so far so good. I've only scratched the surface with a quick run of the AAs but I like what I've seen so far.
