S gauge FlyerChief GP7's are arriving from dealers...tell us your views and/or reviews.

Got mine back from warranty repair service after 5 weeks.  Paper in the box says it was fixed and tested, however, it makes the same loud gear grinding noises in both directions. In fact it is so bad in reverse that it grinds to a halt. I guess I'll have to pay another $20 to ship it back.  That means I will have paid an extra 20% on top of the purchase price to get a loco that works.

HI All,

Finally had a chance to spend some time with my SF Geep.  I'm rather disappointed in the pulling power.  Tried a mix of PW Flyer and S helper cars and it couldn't start a train of 9 cars (Flyerchief Berk and Legacy Y-3 had no trouble).  Would just spin the drive wheels.  Any advice on taking the shell off?  I'd like to add some weight and see what happens.  

Thanks,

Tim

Shell comes off easy.  Two screws through the fuel tank and one ate each end - you will need to move the truck/coupler aside to get it.

Thanks!

HI,

I found an old tender weight and with a little carving, installed in my Geep.  Traction is better though still not what I expected.  

I just got a call from a guy in my train club with a UP and he proposed a new idea about why these engines loose traction.  He feels that the springs on the track pick ups are too strong on some engines and they create enough tension pushing down on the track to cause the slippage to occur.

Any thoughts?

Yes the problem most likely is the pickup rollers. Not the springs but the travel Of the post not having enought room to travel up all the way. I had to bend the  lead wire down on another loco with same roller set up. I have two f/c diesels that do not have a wheel slip problem and can pull 12 to 15 cars without any slippage.also check the the condition of the traction tires. They may be dirty, oily, or loose on the wheel.

The newly cataloged duel motor FlyerChief Baldwin’s will likely put their bigger Geep brothers to shame in the pulling power arena.

Ben 

Good point Milan.  The condition and functioning of those vertical lift small diameter pick-up rollers must be A-1 in every way - full vertical travel being a key parameter to check.  Had similar issues/needs with those on 6-48075 NH EP5.  Not the greatest design, but if your trackwork is nearly perfect and everything about every pic-up is too then they'll work pretty well.  Don't let one get hot - the square post travels up and down inside a plastic housing. 

Hi all, My first post on OGR -- Have had an AF 335 steamer since my grandfather gave it to me in 1952. For some reason, when I pulled it out of the attic this Christmas for the first time since 15 years ago, I can't put it away. So am going all in now building a 5 x 9' layout in my garage and I want to inaugurate it when I'm done, first with my steam engine, but also with a new Flyer Chief Union Pacific GP7. I'm hoping Lionel's second run of these will be released before my birthday next month (late April).

I'm also hoping that Dave Olson's efforts to solve the loose traction issue can be implemented by Lionel in the second run (Dave was talking about maybe adding some weight in the cab, and I hope he also sees these latest posts). I can hardly wait to get my hands on this engine.  Have any of you heard anything yet about when to expect them to be available again?

I love this forum,

Ken 

FOR ARTISTIC SENSE, i would paint the geep's sideframes gray to overcome the gaudy silver look as produced...the Berkeley specialist, Arnold k..

ARNOLD A KLOIAN posted:

FOR ARTISTIC SENSE, i would paint the geep's sideframes gray to overcome the gaudy silver look as produced...the Berkeley specialist, Arnold k..

The UP started painting trucks silver in 1955, so Lionel got it right for all practical purposes. 

It'd look better if the model's pilots were painted gray like they were supposed to be (and like Jerry did at the top of this page.)

Rusty

Thanks for the feedback...Yes, I knew about U.P. and their silver trucks, its just that the comparison of the long age

Gilbert diesels with the long wheel bases, in what I thought was gray seemed more complimentary to the rest of the colors ; gray and yellow.  but, it could be the photos, or the flash that is highlighting it too much....And as pointed out about the fidelity of the trucks to that of the prototype, I wonder what set off the designers at (lionel) or associated modelers, to not make the truck more narrow looking...And a hello and thank you again to Jerry Poniatowski for his fellowship when I was in Michigan,,,  

ARNOLD A KLOIAN posted:

Thanks for the feedback...Yes, I knew about U.P. and their silver trucks, its just that the comparison of the long age

Gilbert diesels with the long wheel bases, in what I thought was gray seemed more complimentary to the rest of the colors ; gray and yellow.  but, it could be the photos, or the flash that is highlighting it too much....And as pointed out about the fidelity of the trucks to that of the prototype, I wonder what set off the designers at (lionel) or associated modelers, to not make the truck more narrow looking...And a hello and thank you again to Jerry Poniatowski for his fellowship when I was in Michigan,,,  

Granted, the new trucks are less than perfect visually because Lionel's reusing the Baldwin switcher (which is also too short for the truck it's supposed to represent) truck as a basis. 

However, after the initial shock, I find the new trucks better looking than the "oversized gym shoe" Gilbert truck.  Combined with the new fuel tank molding and new pilots the overall look of the GP7 is vastly improved while still maintaining the "traditional" guise.

Now, if Lionel could only improve on the handrails a little bit...

Rusty

ARNOLD A KLOIAN posted:

Thanks for the feedback...Yes, I knew about U.P. and their silver trucks, its just that the comparison of the long age

Gilbert diesels with the long wheel bases, in what I thought was gray seemed more complimentary to the rest of the colors ; gray and yellow.  but, it could be the photos, or the flash that is highlighting it too much....And as pointed out about the fidelity of the trucks to that of the prototype, I wonder what set off the designers at (lionel) or associated modelers, to not make the truck more narrow looking...<snip>

Gray-painted trucks would appear less undersized than silver-painted trucks. I kinda like the old handrails, because they give the piece a more Gilbert-like 'look' that is in keeping with this GP-7's 'mission'. Given the price, my NKP sample continues to please.

Bob