Real Differences Between Norfolk & Western Legacy Locomotives

Still searching for a J-class after the last discussion?

Well, first things first recap:

https://ogrforum.com/...-j-stripe-resolution

Excerpt from that post:

Please read the details of this offer below, this pertains to the following LEGACY J locomotives: 1931340, 1931350, 1931360, and 1931370.

So from the 2019 Catalog, major differences are tender features (example Doghouse) blackened side rods VS polished siderods and other details like antennas headlights, and vents. http://catalogs.lionel.com/19bb/ page 8-9

- Lionel sku 1931340 - #600: ??? Possible incorrect paint color of stripe

- Lionel sky 1931350 - #603: ??? Possible incorrect paint color of stripe

- Lionel sku 1931360 - #611 (c1982): ??? Possible incorrect paint color of stripe

- Lionel sku 1931370 - #611 (c2106): ??? Possible incorrect paint color of stripe

- Lionel sku 1931390 - #746: ??? I personally would say subject to stripe color being wrong, but since original 746 was bright yellow stripe, how wrong is wrong? It's all about frame of reference of what you want 746 to represent to be honest.

My bottom line takeaway is, these all were from the same run, the same basic paint used, so depending on how you feel about the exact shades of the stripe, it may or may not be to your liking. And with that, the other question was were any of these that you are looking at buying sent off to Harry and got repainted under the program that is now no longer within those dates? Implies you might have to send it off and pay for painting if not to your liking.

As stated before in the previous discussion, the electronics are more modern in these and they have a lot of features and sounds should be excellent- one of the advantages of the modern electronics.

Thanks Vernon Barry - I completely overlooked the reddish-brown captions in the 2019 catalog photos. I appreciate your reply being complete.

- Ken

FWIW, I saw the topics about the paint and so rather than go the big "L" I went with the MTH version since I run both systems. I know that answer isn't for everyone and I'll give a nod to Lionel on the sound system is better as is whistle steam in how it is controlled and functions.

However, between the Canon motor, the plastic smoke units, and Lionel not getting the paint right, and then we get into the price differences, well all that drove me to the other brand. Besides, I was already pulling MTH passenger cars.

Hi Vernon,

On the Lionel versions, is the only tender with backup lights the #611 (C1982)?

Also, on all versions except the #603 with darkened rods, are all the main side rods polished?

Did Lionel try to mimic the real versions?

- Ken

@Ken Gillig posted:

Hi Vernon,

On the Lionel versions, is the only tender with backup lights the #611 (C1982)?

To my knowledge, all versions have backup lights in the tender. That said, I do not own any of these and was coming up short finding detailed pictures on the web. Further research and details from an example forum sponsor " Directional lighting including operating headlight and back-up light on rear of tender Illuminated classification lights on the front of locomotive " . What you seem to be confusing is that SPECIFIC types or styles of lights on some models. Example the specific mention of Pyle lights. Again, 611 to my knowledge always had some form of a backup light.

Also, on all versions except the #603 with darkened rods, are all the main side rods polished? Tough call on "Polished". One person could call one thing satin and another could call it polished. That said, I found an example of 1931370 video showing both the stripe color and the side rods are not blackenedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S-L8Lg_-Mw I see why people might not be pleased with that color and wanted it repainted.

Here is a video of 193160 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96K9igCkkXs

Here is 193150 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv9Em0-DzMQ

Did Lionel try to mimic the real versions?

I would think so- especially given the specific years or details as points in time when the engine changed.

- Ken

I am no history expert on 611 J class. I do love the engine and enjoy trying to learn about it. It is a thing of beauty and I luckily got to see it run in person (briefly) in fall of 2019 while at the museum for fall York that year. It was pouring rain, but even then, still a moment I will never forget and that whistle and seeing it run was just amazing.

But, because I had seen some pictures, heard all the ruckus about this paint on these models, I instead first got an older MTH PS1 Premier for $425 and upgraded it to PS2. Then, last year, I decided to upgrade to the PS3 model and sell off the PS2 upgraded version. I'm into it for way less money, the paint color is more correct IMO, and it didn't cost me a mortgage payment

Bottom line, take some time over on youtube and search for "Lionel 19323X0" replacing the X with 4,5,6,and7 to represent these various models. Not all of them I could find (example 40) but people did reviews, clear videos of the sounds and running, even closeups of the details. The one takeaway I had and still have, yep, that was definitely a color problem and see what the fuss was all about.