UP FEF-3 "8444" "Living Legend" Locomotive & Tender

You probably should indicate the maker, part number and perhaps a picture.

I neglected to do that!  Anyway the subject Locomotive is the Lionel 6-82808 UP FEF-3 "8444" Legacy 2015 model they produced.  New in perfect shape.

Here's a picture of this beauty!

@Eliot B. Willauer Jr. 051719 posted:

Here's a picture of this beauty!

Still no pic

It's worth whatever someone will pay for it.

Careful what you wish for, ….techs in the field report seeing cases of zinc rot in the chassis,…..I’ve spoken to a couple that have come across this issue,….inspect before purchasing,…l

Pat  

That's terrifying. I have the 2015 release of the 844.

I know this was an issue in the first run locomotives in 2008, but I'll keep an eye on my 2015 model. So far, I haven't noticed any rotting, fortunately...

I have one each of the Legacy 2008 and 2015 844/8444s, both of which I have had apart for maintenance purposes (smoke units) and never noticed any zinc issues. Nor have I seen any reports of such.

The only thing I do not like about the 8444 is that Lionel opted for blackened side rods despite the fact that the engine is otherwise in pristine excursion duty livery. This photo was posted here by AlexM some time back when he was selling one and it reflects the very handsome scheme:

P.S. "Rarity value" I have no exact idea of any (if any) but a MIB one would probably fetch near enough the 2015 street price, which as I recall was near enough $1,000 if not slightly more.

I've never heard of any issues either and I have both the Gray and Black versions from 2008.

Yeah I have the 2015 8444 and it is in fine shape. No zinc rot to be found. The 2008 definitely is showing signs of zinc rot. I know a few people who have had the issue.

Which begs the question is it just too soon for the 2015 version to show it?

@Randy_B posted:

Which begs the question is it just too soon for the 2015 version to show it?

It is unlikely to show since it is a totally different batch. Its not a tooling issue, its a metal issue that pertains only to the metal used during a specific time.

@Randy_B posted:

That's terrifying. I have the 2015 release of the 844.

Yesterday, I happened to notice that my ebay feedback was 844! Odd coincidence considering that I do not own a model of it; nor plan on getting one.

Sid corrected me, ….it is indeed the 08 model that had the issue ……I know of two top shelf techs that had run into this …….I do not know of any problem with the 2015 model, and to be sure that’s made from a different batch of metal by then,……

Pat

Thanks all of you for your informative comments.  My UP "8444" is 6-82808.  We have it on our layout and it runs just AMAZING!  I've had a chance to get on 8444 in the late 70's at Omaha.  When I run my 2015 model it produces "chicken skin" when it's whistle is operated!  No problems for the past few month's.  Inspected it off track closely.  It's looking 100% healthy.  Reason I asked about valuation is for insurance purposes.  Definitely not for sale!  In my opinion this is one of the finest Scale models Lionel has produced.  They should produce a 2022 version with all the bells and whistles pardon the pun!

I've seen the Zinc Rot on the 2008 original version doing repairs, haven't seen it on any of the 2015s YET!

Jim

@Hancock52 posted:

I have one each of the Legacy 2008 and 2015 844/8444s, both of which I have had apart for maintenance purposes (smoke units) and never noticed any zinc issues. Nor have I seen any reports of such.

The only thing I do not like about the 8444 is that Lionel opted for blackened side rods despite the fact that the engine is otherwise in pristine excursion duty livery. This photo was posted here by AlexM some time back when he was selling one and it reflects the very handsome scheme:

P.S. "Rarity value" I have no exact idea of any (if any) but a MIB one would probably fetch near enough the 2015 street price, which as I recall was near enough $1,000 if not slightly more.

I didn't like the dark rods with my Lionel Chessie Steam Special T1.  I took all the rods off and painted them with the Rust-Oleum Nickel Matte Spray Paint from HD and it looks so much better.  If you took yours apart to fix the smoke units, taking the rods off should be pretty easy.