If you decide to go with the legacy version I have two that are new and test run perfect. 6-83193 and 6-11420. Good prices too.
@Hancock52 posted:That is the Daylight auxiliary water tender cataloged at the same time as the VL GS series although it actually shipped numerous weeks before the engine sets. The Lionel SKU for this item is 2031680.
The AWT is not prototypical but nonetheless is a fun addition to the set. I forget which tooling Lionel used for the series of these that were issued to go with various engines - it may have been an old Mohawk tender.
In case it matters, the Daylight paint scheme of this matches the VL models and the earlier Daylight AC-12 cab forward that I also have. There's a whole series of other threads on (non-)matching passenger car colors from Lionel (and other brands).
Just my two cents...and many will disagree with me....but I think the issue of the non-matching colors was largely overblown.
I added a Vista Dome car to my five car passenger set that supposedly don't match.....and they look just fine together, IMHO.
I would certainly expect a manufacturer to be consistent with stuff like this. But I'm not sure that it's really all that visible....at least on my layout with my lighting.
Berkshire President - I think the Vista Dome is a great addition, in fact the Full Dome would be cool too. After all these are toys so go with what you like!
@Catonsville Central Railway posted:I bought the 2016 model when it came out, and after seeing the vision line model, I decided to stick with mine, for what it's worth. The biggest thing that bothered me about the Vision model is the way Lionel painted the sides of the boiler a grey/silver color. Imho, the 2016 model with black boiler sides looks much more prototypical.
Other thoughts:
- Lionel did a really good job with the speaker enclosure on this 2016 run, and it has the best, deepest sound of any of my Legacy steamers. While the Vision is better, I am sure, if there was one model Lionel didn't NEED to do the Vision 3-speaker upgrade on, it would be this one.
- I'd rather have the whistle steam than the dynamo effect. The cylinder steam however is very, very cool but does seem problematic, from the stories I've heard.
- I much prefer the blackened side rods of the 2016 run to the Vision.
- A point for me in favor of the Vision model is the 5 selectable whistles/horns. The 2016 run only has a horn and a whistle which could, to my ears, pass for an SP six-chime which 4449 wore in her early excursion days. It's missing the "steam boat" whistle.
- The Vision model I am 99.9% sure uses the exact same tooling so don't expect any further detailing, only upgraded gadgetry.
- I went ahead and painted the cab interior and engine and tender ladders to match the prototype. Neither model gets the tender ladders correct.
Here's a video of mine running...
I would also vouch for the 2016 model over the VL. Aside from the sounds (which really aren't that bad), it is the best looking GS that Lionel has made to date. I don't like the class light color, or the actual molds themselves on the VL engines; they look too big, nor do I care for the gray smokebox or polished rods. I prefer everything darkened. My local shop has the 2016 AFT 4449 that I've been considering for a long time now.
I have both the 4449 in AFT scheme and 4436 in Daylight. The main difference between the 2 is that 4436 has a smoking whistle. They both are great looking and perform extremely well, IMO. The sound system is what got me hooked on both of these.
RAY
@Ken Gillig posted:Berkshire President -
...After all these are toys so go with what you like!
Here's the thing: I agree that a manufacturer (or importer) should be able to match colors from a previous run. To excuse a mismatch because "these are toys" gives no incentive to do better.
In the crazy world of 3R, you have:
1. a strong desire for prototypical features (nothing wrong with that) while at the same time;
2. a light hearted approach of whimsy and fun, such as any one of the literally dozens of "fantasy" paint schemes available.
The Menards $200 F unit is a "toy"; the engines being discussed here are, (in my opinion anyway) expensive "models" and therefore should be held to a higher standard.
Mark in Oregon (home to 4449 🙂)
PS: I know the color mismatch is about cars, not these engines; but the same rules should still apply, no? 😁
Sure the cars should match. No doubt. Especially in this situation when there is plenty of SP material available that shows what the colors should be.
My point was simply that I've run mismatched SP passenger cars in the same train.....and it looks better than I would have guessed.
ETO: S44AC - thanks for additional views on the 2016 model.
TO: Ray of sunshine, Strummer - I appreciate your comments on color matching. My focus on that is between engine and cars and are the colors the same or very close or not, and do the lines of the different colors align or not.
TO Berkshire President: I will agree again with you ... that mix-matching cars can be not only interesting and fun for as "model railroaders" when we play with these, but in real life I remember seeing some Daylight pics and video clips that were not always so perfect because they were put out for a press release so they showed a mix-matched car. I am sure the RR companies use the equipment they have at the moment to get the service delivered even if a mix-match must be used.
Golden Gate Depot has/had a set of 3r Daylight cars left. Doesn't get any better
Surefure - Thanks! I have looked at them much. Guess I should.
Ken,
When Legacy was first introduced Lionel made either a GS2 or a GS4 with just Legacy control no whistle smoke, swinging bell or other Legacy features. Their next few GS releases included the steam whistle after one or two releases with just the steam whistle they came out with the Vision Line of the GS engines GS1 through GS6. Everything I watch a video of these engine I could poop in my pants what great smoke/sound features plus correct steaming cylinders……..its the poop that is well worth the price increase. Get a Vision Line version if you can find one.
JohnB
Thanks JohnB for your comment on SP Vision vs. Legacy steam engines.
Ken
