@AmFlyer posted:<snip>
The new Y3 is a completely different matter. I have a PRR on order and for the price it better work perfect and use the O gauge speed step system like the Big Boy did. If not they at least need to change the gear ratio so they run at more realistic speeds at the higher speed steps. My personal opinion is any engine that can use only the first 25 steps out of 200 if operated at scale speeds is not a good runner. With the original Y3 and almost all other S gauge engines the "Railroad Speeds Steps" are useless, unless operating a Y3 at a scale 100mph is wanted. Ok, I won't complain any more.
A discussion of the new Y3's is for another time once they are delivered. However, I can not offer much (speculative) hope about changing the speed steps. Post L/AF Big Boy, Lionel developed a set of smaller-sized Legacy boards for Flyer scale-sized offerings that, among other positive attributes, are DCC capable. The AF Big Boy was the first Legacy Flyer offering in which the standard Legacy boards of the time were utilized because they could fit into what is originally a K-Line O gauge locomotive model. Regardless of its faults as a model, the AF Big Boy is a lot of fun to run and still has the best sounds of any AF Legacy locomotive. Changing gear ratios is a possibility, but one could risk stalling at slow speeds. My speculation is that the speed step arrangement will be as before by using the existing AF Legacy boards on hand. Having a perfectly nice PRR Y3 from the previous issue, I shall sit out the reissue and enjoy others enjoying their new ones.
For what it is worth.
Bob
