Skewed Values/Perception?

I saw that, tempting, but I'm spending big time on getting my layout finished.  I'll be back to buying locomotives after that happens.

Beautiful! Lower the bodies 1/8th inch fix the pilot and put closed doors on it and you have a great 3RS loco set.

Even back to the first runs in the 50's the F3s were great value. As for modern era, the FTs used to be amazingly affordable.

The first set of the Santa fe’s Has issue with melting number boards and very bright cab light. I believe this issue was fixed On the second run where the body was high on the trucks. Just wondering. Also, was the Odessa’s lurch fixed before these units?

Yes Shawn, I believe they fixed the 'lurch' within a year or two. Was mostly an issue with the steamers was it not? Don't recall any of the diesels having it but could be mistaken...

I agree with you Sam and if those were PRR units I would have purchased them.

-Greg

Sam, that’s a great buy, the main difference between that UP ABA set, and Legacy is the Cab lights remain on and the start up sounds, and maybe some other small change, however the 5.0 crew talk, tower com, and horn, bell, diesel sounds RPM’s are fantastic. Congratulations on your find. Beautiful set, thanks for posting. Happy Railroading...

c.sam posted:

 

The other locomotive offered (by the same seller) is available for $475 shipped.  It has Legacy and is one of the Heritage series.  This is likely a fair and reasonably good price for the piece. If so, the 3 unit Union Pacific F3 is a steal for only $25 more!

As nice as the new modern diesels are ( SD-70, AC-6000, SD-40 and the like) I still hesitate to spend $500+ for a single diesel unit...     Guess I'm 'out of date'

 

 

Sam, you are letting the cat out of the bag. The Odyssey years ~1998-2007 were what I consider the high water mark for Lionel. Rarely since has the detail been improved on subsequent runs and in many cases gone backwards. The "high water" F3s were replaced by the higher water Legacy F7s. While not without fault most of those faults could be remedied by most with basic mechanical skills or easily replaced relatively low cost electronics. Example, broken Odyssey magnets. Few items had to be returned to Lionel for service.  

In this modern age, the Odyssey years might be considered as many think of post war. Easy to repair solid units.

Pete

I am sure these units are fine.  However,  there was a rash of these at the Lionel repair store with bad motors. this particular set has the larger diameter worm. No longer available at Lionel with the oddessey board.  While no big deal.  You can buy the regular motor and add the board to repair.  Just note the repair procedure . Also,  these have the infamous binding idler gear in the trucks. Some are fine ... others ....

One major downside is to try to find a matching B unit that will travel at the same speed.  

The Legacy versions have fixed all these pesky issues . I have seven of these... all need new motors or new trucks. ...

Interesting observations and comments fellas, thanks.

Larry, I've had my set for about a year and bought it (the ABA) here on the Forum. The K-Line cars were previously purchased from Doug (L.O.S.) a couple of years ago and I picked up the powered B unit somewhere since. Have not actually operated the full train together as yet. Hopefully, all with be well with no issues as Norton suggested.

J Daddy, sorry to hear you've had problems with them sir.  Had not heard this before. I'm counting on a smooth run!

I'm sure yours will be fine. Just wanted to share that there good refinements over the years.  Also, the smoke units always seem to stop working on these. Replaced the smoke unit and still nothing . 

J Daddy's observations do not make one feel very confident in purchasing those products new, unproven & blind.  There seems to be a disregard for consumers.  

I was raised on orange boxes, and the product appearance is remarkable.  However I am only confident with secondary market  purchases, well after the performance is proven.

As  I mentioned on another thread.  I have three new locomotives from the same importer with the electronics removed.  The are absolutely beautiful and run like a Swiss watch all day long.  They are always on my main line and run every time my RR is operated. 

I wonder how successful this business model would be if it was under mandatory government recall law.

J Daddy posted:

I'm sure yours will be fine. Just wanted to share that there good refinements over the years.  Also, the smoke units always seem to stop working on these. Replaced the smoke unit and still nothing . 

Replace the voltage regulator module, it fails more often than the smoke unit.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

J Daddy posted:

I'm sure yours will be fine. Just wanted to share that there good refinements over the years.  Also, the smoke units always seem to stop working on these. Replaced the smoke unit and still nothing . 

Replace the voltage regulator module, it fails more often than the smoke unit.

I think your right John. They seemed to always be the weakest link in the chain.  Don't get me wrong though . I'm holding back not buying these. They are stunning and why Lionel never made them in Legacy is beyond me.