Mark in Oregon, If I could get regular wheels on my Steam engines I would gladly do it. I have been running one of my six Big Boys without traction tires and it pulls thirty-five plus cars without any difficulty. As far as having the tools to do the work, unfortunately mine are well used. I have replaced them several times. I guess I will need a new set now. The China sets are a soft metal so they do not tear at the screws. They don't last long with regular use.
WHEN YOU SPEND $1,709.00 ON A VISION LINE NIAGARA, THE ENGINE SHOULD ARRIVE IN PERFECT CONDITION.
I have done many repairs on the 100 plus Lionel engines in my collection. All are under 5 years old, except a Santa Fe Whiskers ABBA freight set. Dean has sent new traction tires for many of my GP35 three engine sets. The original tires were too fat, raising the wheel flange so it did not track properly through my Atlas O switches. I have replaced all those tires.
I am a life-long model railroader, but why should I continue to correct Lionel's errors. I have three engines currently at Lionel including two Vision Line GG1 engines with bad gears. One is back for a third time. They did not do all the repairs on my new CSX F40PH #9999 the first time. I was counting on that engine to pull my seven-car set of CSX 21" passenger cars I detailed with Preiser figures I hand-painted. Those cars are among the 131 Lionel and Atlas 21" passenger cars I have detailed for my collection in the past five years.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
