Question about the new Lionel FEF

My prior scale FEF from a few years back runs on O54. 

Thanks, Marty.....I appreciate your insight.

i hadn't noticed that.  don't see why the new one wouldn't fit the same configuration as the old one.  mine runs on O54 just fine.  it did, however, find every kink in my track.

the engine might, but the tender will not

So 2 of us have already stated that the old one will run on O54. Most likely the new one will.  What am I missing? 

Before you reply or post ask yourself... Is it relevant?  Does it add to the discussion?  Am I repeating something already posted? Am I just posting to show how smart I think I am with some non-witty snipe at my fellow forum members? 

 I love it.  Each time you post you repeat this?

Bob, it's automatic since it's his sig line

I appreciate your comments, Forrest. I've heard many positive comments on the previous FEF; I'm sure this one will not disappoint. That's one great thing about this forum- there usually is someone who can pass along actual hands on experience. Thanks again.

I will say this, and most likely it will have changed, but please Lionel used the exact smoke unit for this new model and just add continuous stream of smoke in idle.  The FEF I have has the best smoke unit of any Lionel engine I own. 

The past FEF is one of my all time Lionel favorites-excellent runner, prolific smoker (especially with a saturated wick-thanks LOS), fantastic sound, and the list goes on.

The Legacy steamers just get better with each introduction/reissue.  The new FEF will be no different.

My FEF smokes circles around any Legacy steamer I have. 

I've never owned an FEF in any scale. This locomotive sounds like it's a great combination of performance and detail, and it can negotiate my O60 curves.

I appreciate everyone responding; I'm thinking a black 844 may have to join the stable.

I think exactly the same. Why I even have a spare 630-112-2200 smoke unit, AC regulator and 6 Ohm resistors; the smoke unit itself is no longer available from Lionel and hasn't been for a few years.

But/so I am thinking that the new FEF3s are practically bound to have the now standard plastic bowl smoke units. The smoke output on the newer Legacy engines I have that are equipped with these units (including the VLBB) is good but my original FEF3 literally blows rings around them.

Sigh. This is what they call progress I guess.

Not to hijack the OP's thread, my 2¢ on the O-60 issue is that you may well encounter a problem with running the tender over any switch that is less than O-72. I had a problem trying to reverse my FEF3 through an O-54 switch because of the centipede wheelset not being able to handle the angle. It negotiates O-72 tubular track switches, both going forwards and backwards, with no difficulty, but you can see the wheel displacement (if that's the right word) while it does so.

Hancock:

If I'm reading you right, if the locomotive stays on the main route of the switch, all is good? I'm planning to run this locomotive on an O60 loop that will pass thru O48 switches, but staying on the main route.

Yes, that's essentially what I have found. It may depend on what brand of switch you use (I had my problem with an Atlas O-54 switch) but when the loco and tender are on a straight section of track approaching the switch there's been no problem just traversing it.

Thanks for your input.

I also concur about the smoke on the original. very impressive. 

Catalog says new "ALL New" so is this all new tooling or just a re-release of the old?

Were any of the FEF-3's painted with the silver/gray lettering and stripes rather than the yellow? Or has Lionel only done yellow?

I think that "all new" must refer to the electronics in this model as (a) that's what I understood Mike Reagan to say in the Notch 6 podcast and (b) you could not realistically expect Lionel to do all new loco/tender shells when they have recent tooling to 'recycle' essentially by providing a steam whistle opening as they have done with other steamers.

I stand to be corrected but I don't think that Lionel has done the gray and silver version of this engine (or at least not in the first Legacy issue any more than in this new one). On the other hand I believe MTH has done it in both O and HO. 

Except at idle.   I have the previous FEF.  Its a fantastic engine and a prolific heavy smoker, but its not realistic. 

For me, the perfect smoker award goes to the Legacy/Kline Berk. more realistic then the VL Bigboy..   

Joe

I think that when they say "All New" in the Vol. 2 catalogs, it means that the item is not a repeat from the Signature (Vol. 1) or previos catalogs.  Usually, the catalogs state "New Tooling" when the item is being made from new tooling.

Andy

I'm excited about the new FEF.  The Legacy steamers just keep getting better.  Each release/re-release is awesome.

Kudos to Lionel for a number other than 844.  Most 3Rs don't care about the FWH/road numbers except a few of us.

A smoking dynamo or cylinder steam would've been cool also.