Your Thoughts on Lionels BB1

Also look at the BB1 single unit... Pensy #4751. It's a single unit with

TMCC, with no sound, but better detail and actually I think it runs a little 

smoother than the dual package.

I think it has an updated oddesy system in it. The BB1's you are looking at have

a little surge problem now and then. Mine do it, but it's not that bad. I'm sure

others will chime in...

If you like the BB1's also take a look at the MTH DD1.

Bruce...

Bruce. Thank you very much, and this is exactly what I was looking for. Apparently I've been living a sheltered train life on what's available. I didn't realize you could buy a single engine nor that MTH had the DD1. Thanks for all the great information. Terry

Not a problem, that is what the forum is for.

Now it's going to be harder to decide.

Ah what the heck, Buy all three of them...

I have the PRR model, it comes in a track maintenance set.  It is a very nice runner, but I do miss the sound.  I have no Odyssey "lurch" with mine, so that's a plus.  I bought it used on the forum here, the only thing I had to do is replace one marker light.  Neat looking little model.

You have more BB3's Ben?

I have the dual unit PRR set (3900 and 3901) and love them.  I got a great deal on them at a show and couldn't pass it up.  They are just about all metal, I think the only plastic is in some of the detail and electronic parts.  The traction tires were shot on mine, so they can't pull a ton, but with the tires I would imagine they'd pull beautifully.  I put them in front of on of my fellow club members Lionel Lines 50th Anniversary set passenger cars (5 of the scale heavyweight cars), and it struggled to pull them, but it made it around the layout.  With tires it wouldn't have had any issues.

They do have a slight oddessey lurch, but under legacy control it seems to smooth that out.  I love the lighting on them, all the marker lights and headlights operate and can be shut off completely with a few switches.  The sounds are interesting.  The whistle is kind of annoying, but unique.

They're just different and I think that's why I like them.  Whenever I run them on my club's layout people usually start asking me about them.

They were running on my TMCC system in this video

John

I was a BB3 junkie at one time as these were the most common engine working the Bay Ridge yard which was close to where I grew up.  At one point I had four of the Lionel version, two of the Third Rail version and three of the MTh version.  I am down to one set of the MTH version which ran the best out of all of them.  The Third Rail version was the worst.  Ran like junk and sounded like a staticy radio station

I've never seen the MTH version, how do they look?  I'd like to get one that has sound.

So, that's a two car set as well to get sound?

I would think so John.  As far as I know, nobody's offered a separate sale sound and powered unit.