The Big Illinois Central A-B 2363 freight set

Where is she ??

Gunny

How about some pics?

I'm glad to hear these Conventional Classics are coming in. I know the Navy Alco Set has arrived at dealers and the UP Anniversary Set (I'm waiting on that one) arrives within the next week or so.

ahh, dont be a humbug, share some pics 

Sorry, gents...I spent my camera money on ....chooch!

Can you elaborate on the 1" key ring and the problem with the rear truck.  I hadn't heard about this problem before.

Yeah, the powered F3 sits low on the rear truck, because Lionel "removed" the nubs from the top plate that locates the sideframes to the truck.  It's still OK on the front truck, so you'll be able to see the difference right away.  Easy fix; get a 1" or very slightly larger keyring, and dremel the crossover joint out of it.  You'll be left with two "C" shaped rings.  One of these is installed between the attaching truck plate and the frame of the F3.  Mine were all the correct size for thickness, and lifted the frame up to the right height off the truck.  Works like a champ on all my CC Lionel F3's aquired thus far.  FWIW, just added the black paper baffles to the bay window caboose, and all is now perfect with this car.  Best Lionel freight set since the C&O GEEP 2347 set from last year.

What is this black paper thing with the cabooose?

Lionel left out the light baffles that occupy the bay window in the caboose. It avoids having the bulb shining directly out of the window. The guides to hold the paper are still part of the clear plastic insert, so just cut some black paper and stick it in.  I also found that the roof was glowing red ...as the paint is too thin on my cabin. A bit of black paint or electrical tape inside fixes this too.  Bon appetite !

Yeah, the powered F3 sits low on the rear truck, because Lionel "removed" the nubs from the top plate that locates the sideframes to the truck.

I complained to Lionel about that when I got my NYC F3.  They said they hadn't had any complaints and didn't know what I was talking about.

Thanks for the fix recommendation.

Marker.... I'm surprised you didn't get a 3AM visit from the NKVD !!

"I complained to Lionel about that when I got my NYC F3.  They said they hadn't had any complaints and didn't know what I was talking about."

Yeah, that is exactly what they told me when the CC GG1's came out with serious problems. I got two with the same problems and one was worse. Thanks for posting about the new CC F3's.

Rob

Thx jaygee for the quick review

The pilot sticks out to far ???  

What have they changed since last postwar style F-3's ???

Any chance of some photos/

Thx again

Joe S  

PS

How are the autos placed in the 6414 automobile car ???

Thx

All the CC F3 powered units (not the dummies) have pilots that stick out a bit too far, and while this is not a huge deal, it bugs me enough to go ahead and fix it.  The pilot itself can be moved back about 3/16" and look a lot better, IMHO.   Takes about a half hour's work with drill and dremel to get 'er done.  The 6414 auto loader now has two plastic trays of vacuuformed clear material, which holds the autos in place without you having to rip the car apart to get them loose on the bottom. One huge improvment!  I also reinstalled the horn board in the powered A unit as it was pushing the side of the body shell outwards from being installed too far to the right, on the frame.  These are all minor issues, AFAIC, and this is a great set overall.  Mighty glad it finally made it!

I am also very happy with the set and echo all the other comments made

The set looks and feels like 1955---good job Lionel

Two observations---

All the cars came out of their boxes a lot easier than some of the earlier CC sets

I feel like repacking will not be a nightmare---a little more wiggle room---nice

Also the bumpers on the autos are painted silver and not chrome plated like the originals   ????

No big deal---I didn't even notice it at first---oh well

However they look really good

Just my take

Thx

Joe S  

I found that out the hard way. I got the Sears set for Christmas and could not get the cars out of the Evans Auto Loader. I called Mike Reagan and he said to take her apart to do it..It was not that hard but did scratch the top of the Auto loader..

I am also very happy with the set and echo all the other comments made

The set looks and feels like 1955---good job Lionel.

I think Lionel picked a great set to bring out.  I remember spending hours going through the catalog in 1955.  I ended up getting the Wabash on the same page as the Illinois Central.  Back in 1955, I was always troubled by how Lionel cheapened the engine compared to my NYC 2344.

I was happy that Lionel brought back the way these engines should have looked in the first place back in 1955.  They are much easier on the eye.  Very nice set!

I do wish someone had a picture.

The more you run this set, the better it gets!  I've run it so much that I've already burned out the light bulb in the 2363 A !   This seems to be the quietest, and fastest of the CC F3's so far.  Is Lionel just starting to get it right, or is it that Rocket Action

Power kickin' in !?  Once people start to break this set up, I'm getting another big A-B set of these 2363s....the Streakliner rules !