Zephyr question

It's a carryover item from last year. Eric Segal of 'Eric's Trains' has done an excellent review on the set, they are very nice.

Thanks Mill.  I watched Eric's excellent review, and noted that the LL version is offered on eBay, so my questions are answered as to availability and production.  I'll look for one at York this spring.

You may also want to check some of the major online retailers. If not in stock, many are listing them on backorder for decent prices. If unsure of future availability, just give them a call.

I like the Zephyrs, and almost ordered one myself. I'm happy to see that they are still available, if not now, but in the near future.

I have the Williams A&B, Atlas A&A  and the B-unit from Lionel.  I wanted a powered A and unpowered B.

While the Williams is just OK ( and for the price the most reasonable) the Atlas and Lionel are very close matches; In retro, I should have gone for the Lionel only.

Oddly, I am pulling the MTH 70" Zephyr cars with the Atlas/Lionel combo.

Alan, I agree with your assessment. However, I believe the original post was in reference to a version of this...

oops! oh that Zephyr! Well my thoughts on that are:

If you have large radius track much greater than 72" the scale Zephyr will look ok if not then the overhang on 72" curves is more than I can deal with; which is why I traded my Lionel Scale version in for the MTH RailKing version.

There!

Unless you have only straight tracK! Then the scale version is fine!

That's when you look the other way. 

I think there's strong arguments that can be made that most of this stuff appears ridiculous on the tight radiuses that most O gauge layouts demand. I enjoy the models for what they are, and if certain aspects of a model are not prototypical, I simply employ John's solution and look the other way. I can also appreciate others not wishing to make that a practice.

Been wondering the same regarding the availability of the 38864 Lionel Lines version, as I've had one on order for quite some time.

Here it is on an 072 curve.  It is the only 072 minimum train I don't mind on 072 curves. For instance I don't like 21" passenger cars or 072 loco's my 072 layout . But this one looks OK to me. Not great but OK.  

Lionel had all 4 of them on sale for $700 at the Red Carpet Event back in March.

from the side it looks ok From the top not so much. It is a judgment call!

I have a few 21 inch pass cars as part of the the Acela and the Golden Gate 37 SF Super Chief sets they are too big for 072.

Sadly, 18" long cars are the best I can run with eyes open unless I want to go greater that 072.

Alan, again, I have to agree that 21" passenger cars can be hard on the O72" eye. Even 18" cars are tough, but anything less is silly going the opposite direction. As we have learned, O gauge is about compromises.

Alan, you had better not ever visit my layout. I run 18" coaches on O-36 curves.