J Daddy posted:kanawha posted:Bryan,
I doubt if you will find a NOS JLC H7 at a great price. It's over 12 years old so the better discount dealers sold them out long ago. Most likely a dealer with an old, never used engine still has it because he didn't want to discount it, and still doesn't want to discount it off MSRP. Your best bet on better pricing is a used one from ebay, a train show, or an auction. With the Legacy version in the marketplace now I wouldn't pay over $700 - $800 for the JLC version in good to excellent condition.
The downsides of what I found in my JLC H7 were:
- 2 chuffs/rev (fixed this)
- anemic smoke unit which I've rebuilt several times (rarely run smoke at home)
- it leaps to the first speed step too quickly especially for an engine with such small drivers. I've found that problem in most Odyssey engines especially the C&O F19 which has large diameter drivers.
- Replacing the traction tire on the rear engine is an adventure. The wheel with the traction tire is behind all the valve gear. You have to remove most of the running gear to get to it.
I would imagine the Legacy version fixed all those issues except for the traction tire replacement.
Ken
That's right. you have to look at Hobby shops that have product that may be about 8 months to a year old. Items that just did not move. Right now my LHS has extra Reading T1, Virginia 4-6-6-6, and Vision Line Niagara's on blow out. For the H7's you will just have to watch the for sale forum, the bay, and maybe a trip to York
And that hobby shop might be - by name please...
