American Flyer Legacy Berk production photos

@Brendan posted:

Good.  Now they can concentrate on the tooling for the next most popular loco, the BL2.

Brendan

You mean, like this one? 

Serious or not, it would be cool.  But there's not a lot of room inside for Lionel's high end electronics that a lot of guys want.   BTW, this one is my Bill's Train House kit I assembled in 2004.  With an all but bullet proof AM drive mechanism,  it's still running great.  I can even swap in a set of scale wheels for operation on a scale layout.  The only electronics inside is a Dalee reverse unit for AC use and a DPDT switch to allow DC operation if desired.

Still,  I can't deny that the Berk looks pretty good...

@poniaj posted:

You mean, like this one? 

Serious or not, it would be cool.  But there's not a lot of room inside for Lionel's high end electronics that a lot of guys want.   BTW, this one is my Bill's Train House kit I assembled in 2004.  With an all but bullet proof AM drive mechanism,  it's still running great.  I can even swap in a set of scale wheels for operation on a scale layout.  The only electronics inside is a Dalee reverse unit for AC use and a DPDT switch to allow DC operation if desired.

Still,  I can't deny that the Berk looks pretty good...

BL2's are definitely cool, but Lionel doesn't have one in O, so you won't see it in Flyer.

Let's see the Legacy Berk delivered before we start fantasizing about what Lionel's not going to make next. 

Rusty

This is what Lionel should make!

A modified Gilbert 0-8-0
See video and details at:
http://tuveson.com/Custom-0-8-0/0-8-0.htm

Carl

Carl, I agree, it is fantastic!!! Lionel will likely not make one, but if you are up for doing another one you have a customer.

@Rusty Traque posted:

BL2's are definitely cool, but Lionel doesn't have one in O, so you won't see it in Flyer.

Let's see the Legacy Berk delivered before we start fantasizing about what Lionel's not going to make next. 

Rusty

Nice BL2, Jerry.  Your paint skills?  I say it tongue in cheek, but I do love me some BL2.  I have the BTS version, but still need it painted in Monon livery.  My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.  

Brendan

@Brendan posted:

  My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.  

Brendan

S Folks have been asking/begging/pleading for an SD40 or SD40-2 ever since Lionel backed out of making one in 1998.

While Overland imported brass ones in the late 80's early 90's, pre-owned 25+ year old brass is not what most folks are looking for today.

Rusty

It would seem like a no-brainer but I am not a Lionel or American Models bean counter.

Brendan

Well, I'd go for any one of these three. Note recognition of the photographer for the 4449 & 25 pic.  The 1727 photographer is unknown, taken in 1956 at Dunsmuir. I think 4449 would sell like hotcakes, or even like flapjacks.

@Brendan posted:

Nice BL2, Jerry.  Your paint skills?  I say it tongue in cheek, but I do love me some BL2.  I have the BTS version, but still need it painted in Monon livery.  My serious wish list would start with an SD40-2.  

Brendan

Brendan,

Thanks.  I did the painting myself and also had to have the C&O script custom made.  Stripes are stripes.  And as soon as I was finished with mine, commercial decals were made available.  Story of my modeling life.  I also did a few other C&O BL-2s for other guys, but am out of the custom painting business.  It wasn't worth my time since I wasn't getting any of my own projects done. 

I wanted to answer off list, but couldn't find an email address for you.  Sorry, rest of the list....

I thought it was visible.  Too late for this topic but now fixed.

Brendan

I downloaded the product manual for the Legacy Berk and read through it looking for mention of the Kadee coupler compatibility that was originally to be included. I couldn't finds any reference in text or on the diagrams. I have a feeling this feature will not make it to production which will be very disappointing. 

Had Lionel offered the legacy SD40-2 in S I would most likely still be there in S with you all.  It was my most wanted locomotive.  I have many in O now.  I can’t resist them.  I spend a pretty good amount of disposable income every year on trains, and I wanted it to go to S, now it’s just a bit of a dabble in the S waters for me.  Oh....if only the S gauge/scale SD40-2 would have come true.  

Ben

@jonnyspeed posted:

I downloaded the product manual for the Legacy Berk and read through it looking for mention of the Kadee coupler compatibility that was originally to be included. I couldn't finds any reference in text or on the diagrams. I have a feeling this feature will not make it to production which will be very disappointing. 

Kadee mounting holes or bracket are not listed in the catalog feature sidebar, either.  Nor was it listed in the 2018 V1 catalog.

Rusty

I sure hope that's not true. We were specifically told on this forum by Lionel that these would have Kadee mounting pads.

@Chuck K posted:

I sure hope that's not true. We were specifically told on this forum by Lionel that these would have Kadee mounting pads.

You are right, Chuck.  Here's the quote from the thread:

"Now onto the tender:

The tender has many separately applied grab irons. There are also separate steps, ladder, and coupler cut bar. There's a working backup light. The hatches on the tender deck do not open; the volume pot will be accessible from the bottom. The bottom has the track IR and a few separate details. It will have mounting for a scale coupler. Lastly, it'll have a separate coal load like the O Scale steamer."

The thread is at https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ire-information-2018

Thanks, Mike A.

@Chuck K posted:

https://www.facebook.com/47655...ts/3295879517126384/

Looks awesome!

I will be buying one.

Thank You!

@Roundhouse Bill posted:

Well, the doubters were wrong.  Lionel is really going to produce this engine.  I can't wait for the one I ordered from Charles Ro.

Me too!

@Chuck K posted:

In an earlier "Dave and Ryan" video, Dave Olson mentioned that the Legacy Berkshire had Mars light that would light/fade/light/fade in a simulation of an oscillating light. The 2018 and 2020 catalogues show that only the American Railroads #759 has the Mars light, but the Nickel Plate #765 did have such a light for a good portion of its life. The restored version today no longer has the light. However, there have been a few Lionel O gauge Nickel Plate #765 releases that did include the light and a number that have not. I'm hoping that the American Flyer version of the Nickel Plate does include the light in addition to the American Railroads #759 and that Dave was not referring to just one of the Berkshire offerings. I remember the NKP Berkshires running near my house with both of those massive lights ablaze.

@TOKELLY posted:

In an earlier "Dave and Ryan" video, Dave Olson mentioned that the Legacy Berkshire had Mars light that would light/fade/light/fade in a simulation of an oscillating light. The 2018 and 2020 catalogues show that only the American Railroads #759 has the Mars light, but the Nickel Plate #765 did have such a light for a good portion of its life. The restored version today no longer has the light.

The prototype 765 currently does have it's Mars light.  As I recall, it was reinstalled in 2016.

Here she is on the Joliet Rocket in 2018:

Rusty