I have a couple of first run U33C's that run pretty good. I see little operational difference between them and my SD70's.
The SD70's have the hardware included to anchor the pilot. The ES44 takes a little drilling and tapping, but it's pilot can be anchored, also. You're probably never going to see swinging pilots go away as long as there is R20.
I get the feeling that if the SD70's and ES44's ever return, once the supply of scale wheel conversions is depleted, that's the final blow for scale from Lionel.
Seems like the Y3 was a pretty good seller, while they didn't fly off the loading dock like the FlyerChief Berkshires, only two roads of the five remained in the 2013 catalog and they were given different numbers.
I see Charlie Ro still has some of the F/C Northerns, only the Frisco version is sold out. There's a message there, somewhere...
The Challengers probably suffered from"sticker shock." Flyer folks weren't used to paying almost a grand for a new locomotive.
Right now, there's only one locomotive I'd be willing to preorder and I can't even talk River Raisin into it...
Rusty
