Hi All,
Any known problems w/ the Lionel UP Veranda Turbine engine? Would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Tom.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
No significant or unusual issues that I know of. One thing to be aware of is they do use a unique motherboard with logic to do the switching of the smoke units, that's obviously not used anywhere else. I bit the bullet and picked one of those up to inoculate myself against any future failure of a part that might be impossible to replace.
Thanks John,
I'm Looking at brand new one that probably won't see a whole lotta use.
Tom.
It's an impressive beast, and IMO they did the whole effect very well for the time period it was produced in.
Thanks John
I got mine at an auction and it worked reliably out of the box and for several years afterwards. Currently needs servicing because of what I think is an Odyssey issue but in every other respect is one of the finest model locos Lionel has ever produced, IMHO. It was practically a Vision Line engine of its time.
I once suggested to Lionel that they re-issue the Veranda as a VL model. Got the usual form of email brush off but I’ll keep on saying that!
I really like mine and agree with the fact that for the time of manufacture it was nicely done. Plenty of smoke with the 8 OHM resistors they used...same resistors Lionel now uses in their Legacy models.
And HEAVY. Both of course are diecast (engine and tender). Just as nice simply as a display model.
Dave
Incidentally, on the shipping carton the Veranda set is clearly identified as made in Korea, not China. Make of that what you will.
gunrunnerjohn posted:No significant or unusual issues that I know of. One thing to be aware of is they do use a unique motherboard with logic to do the switching of the smoke units, that's obviously not used anywhere else. I bit the bullet and picked one of those up to inoculate myself against any future failure of a part that might be impossible to replace.
GRJ is correct! That Motherboard was only used in the Veranda! Had trouble with mine, and Mike Reagan told me, at the time, the last one was used to repair my Veranda!! Other than that, I loved it! So you might look up on the Parts List to see if it is available, beforehand!
Just saying!!!
This is the only engine on my "must have" list. It's time Lionel remakes it. I'd be fine if the shell was plastic.
GRJ - Is the correct part number for the motherboard 691PCB108F? If so, Lionel's 'Replacement Parts' website appears to indicate it's available and costs $48.
MartyE posted:This is the only engine on my "must have" list. It's time Lionel remakes it. I'd be fine if the shell was plastic.
Martye,
Don’t blame U!! Sorry I sold mine! Wish they would remake it!!
PH1975 posted:GRJ - Is the correct part number for the motherboard 691PCB108F? If so, Lionel's 'Replacement Parts' website appears to indicate it's available and costs $48.
That's the board, I figured it was unique enough that I wanted one in case of disaster. 
Many Thanks GRJ!
Tom,
Buy it as it is the ultimate in diesel/turbine engine and it is diecast. Seen them sell for about $700 these days. I bought mine years ago from an OGR forum member and extremely happy that I have one. One of my favorites. It was made in Korea probably by Korea Brass back when Richard Maddox was president of Lionel.
I bought mine on OGR as well, it was a great buy, and considerably less than $700.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I bought mine on OGR as well, it was a great buy, and considerably less than $700.
That was a real bargain! When cataloged in 2001 it was marginally less than twice that. And worth it. The only better bargain was the VL GE Evo, IMHO.
I have never had any problems with mine, and have had for over ten years. Yes, very impressive, and heavy. Now, with my MTH Veranda, want to put ERR into it, but it is the sounds that delays me. Have searched and have not found where the same Veranda Turbine sounds are available to use in my second Veranda, the MTH model. Would like to be able to run them as a train on the cab control.
Jesse TCA
I Recently Sold My Last LionMaster Steam Engine a Pennsy T-1 Duplex. It was also manufactured in Korea. I Purchased it new and ran often at train shows and it never gave me a "Lick of Trouble". I hung on to it because I loved the Melodious Steam Chime Whistle, not to mention it was a real puller w/ 2 motors. I Loved the Maddox Years & Lionel put out some amazing engines & accessories during that era. I recall paying $641 at the time from Island Trains. I sold it for $450, a small price for the years of fun I had running it. Using the $ to buy the Veranda. Purchased that for just under $500.
If you want to enjoy the T1 Duplex Whistle, check out the you tube video I used to sell the engine. It sold in 2 days last week on Ebay. #113850911385
You Tube (https://youtu.be/UGY5U3J4qcc).
Thanks Everyone for all the Good Intel.
Tom
love it - a great locomotive! Wish Lionel would redo in Vision Line and I would buy again!
😎
Harold
hclarke posted:love it - a great locomotive! Wish Lionel would redo in Vision Line and I would buy again!
😎
Harold
This is such an obvious Vision Line candidate that you wonder why it hasn’t been done already. Tooling issue maybe but I would also settle for a plastic shell if the operating features were there. Lionel, are you listening? I have asked you before . . .
hclarke posted:love it - a great locomotive! Wish Lionel would redo in Vision Line and I would buy again!
😎
Harold
I agree with U & Harold, I would buy one as well!!! Die Cast or plastic! Vision Line or not! I loved the sequential smoke operation!!
It seems to me that this thread is worth drawing specific attention to so here’s a shout out to:
I know MTH has issued a number of UP turbines over the years but none of them is a patch on the Lionel version. This would be one instance of a repeat run that would garner a lot of customer support.
Have had mine for a few years now and it works perfectly. The sounds are fantastic!
It will only run on 072 or greater curves and watch out if it goes on overpasses, trestles or bridges, its heavy!!!
I thought I’d put in a postscript to this not so old thread as you are meant to be careful what you wish for, but in this case it has come to pass.
New Legacy version of the fabled die cast Veranda Turbine - which some of us agitated for (see above posts) and, lo and behold, seems like Lionel heard our noises.
I’m not sure how they intend to implement the original sound, speed and smoke synch but I assume some Legacy board or other can handle it. (If I thought I’d get an answer from Lionel at this stage I’d ask but I would not be surprised if they don’t exactly know yet!)
Somebody has been able to see or decipher what’s in the 2021 catalog, which is copied below and I hope/trust is accurate. With a die cast body and seemingly most of the operating features in the TMCC version PLUS SuperBass this strikes me as VL in everything but name:
“This is what is listed on page 32.
Legacy + Die-cast body + Cab interior + Dual smoke units + SuperBass sound from tender + ElectroCouplers on Loco front and Tender rear + Operating Couplers on Loco rear and Tender front + LED Mars and Emergency stop lights + Diesel and Turbine sounds matched with smoke and speed + Length 30" + Minimum curve 072 + (LVC, Bluetooth tech features)
Including real and fantasy, 4 UP versions, 1 Alaska, 1 Pa, 1 D&RG, 1SP, 1GN, and 1US DoD.”
P.P.S. My other wish was for a turbine start-up sequence that mimics the HO version of the Veranda that Lionel made years ago, but that’s DCC and I guess Legacy can’t handle or replicate a sound set that is pretty extensive (although I have never understood why not).
@Hancock52 posted:P.P.S. My other wish was for a turbine start-up sequence that mimics the HO version of the Veranda that Lionel made years ago, but that’s DCC and I guess Legacy can’t handle or replicate a sound set that is pretty extensive (although I have never understood why not).
I'm sure that the current Legacy sound system could duplicate the sound, maybe they will. OTOH, I'll wait until they're released to see if it's worth the huge bucks to upgrade my already very cool TMCC version. As insurance, I also have a spare motherboard that has all the smoke switching smarts on it, so I think I'm set with mine.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I'm sure that the current Legacy sound system could duplicate the sound, maybe they will. OTOH, I'll wait until they're released to see if it's worth the huge bucks to upgrade my already very cool TMCC version. As insurance, I also have a spare motherboard that has all the smoke switching smarts on it, so I think I'm set with mine.
In that case I might just ask them but I am not hopeful they’ll go to that length,
Price-wise I see what you are saying bearing in mind the bargain you got (posted above) on the TMCC version, which listed at about $1.5K in 2001(!) when issued. But I’ll go in for a Legacy version anyway, which I don’t expect to be delivered any time soon. Gulp.
Like you I have a spare motherboard too - but I would not know how to install it if I thought I had to. Over to you in that event.
Almost jumped on a used one at a third the new price. Burned up electronics will mean serious deals for 2-railers. This and the MTH Bipolar are on my over-the-horizon” radar.
Did the Veranda 6-18149 come with an orange module?
No TMCC products ever had an Orange module, that was only for Legacy locomotives. New Legacy has dropped the Orange module as well, so that's history as well.
Thank you John. After thinking about it, made sense. Too early the technology.
