Has anyone received their new Lionel BTO 0-8-0s?

 Had mine for more than a week. Nothing has really changed since the first run of these years ago as far as details. Lionel did a good job on this one the first time. The biggest improvement is the wire tether. No longer does the engine sit a grand canyon away from the tender. Coupled closer and can easily be brought in more. The sounds seem much more robust than even my previous Legacy version. I run Boston & Albany steam. I opted for the Wabash version. It will be relettered and renumbered into B&A 52. It will also get a center mount headlight.

 Mine has a running issue. Seems to run way to fast. Only has about 10 usable steps for yard work. Cruise works fine. Just a drastic change in speed from one step to the next. I have a Legacy switcher to compare it to. Night and day difference. In fact I'd rather run my older Odyssey version. I'm sure Lionel will take care of it. I was hoping to get some feedback on the Forum as to how others ran. One odd note. When I added the Legacy module to the remote. Didn't catch it at first. Decided to run it with my I Pad. It came up on the Roster with a caption American Flyer Pullmor. Thought that was odd and checked the info in the remote. Same thing. Cleared the remote and re added the info manually and set it as a Steam Switcher. Thought this may fix it. But it still runs the same. Was hoping to use this one in pusher service. Legacy should adjust the speed steps to keep up with a road engine. It already outruns all of them. I'll be calling Lionel.

This photo shows the new tether. The coupling could still be closer but it's much better than the wireless tether. The added bonus is your rollers and all your wheels are now connected. You will have a hard time stalling this one.

Does anyone have any videos to post?

It's my understanding that Lionel's Steel City Switcher set with a Bethlehem Steel 0-8-0 switcher has hit some dealer shelves.  I had thought about getting the set, but wasn't gonna pay $1,100 for it.  So perhaps we'll be seeing a photo or video of this soon by either a dealer promoting the product, or by someone who wasn't put off by the steep price.

David

Someone else posted their having the same issue with a N&W class A. Says its running like a jet and remote says AF/Pullmore.. might be a new issue poping up.

We also have break up on the Steel City sets

Jon Z from Lionel explained why there is a speed difference on the Lionmaster Class A. It has to do with space considerations and using a BEMF setup vs an encoder. So the setting and operation is correct. Just doesn't match a Legacy engine using an encoder. 

This most likely explains the speed difference on the 0-8-0 as well since it requires the FLYER / Pullmor as well. 

MartyE posted:

Jon Z from Lionel explained why there is a speed difference on the Lionmaster Class A. It has to do with space considerations and using a BEMF setup vs an encoder. So the setting and operation is correct. Just doesn't match a Legacy engine using an encoder. 

This most likely explains the speed difference on the 0-8-0 as well since it requires the FLYER / Pullmor as well. 

Thanks MArty,

You are correct the 0-8-0 has BEMF, just like the LM Class A

.....but there was no "space for electronics" issue with the previous legacy 0-8-0's...

What's the point of a switcher with poor low speed perfoemance?

Sounds more like a cost cutting move.Areal shame considering these 0-8-0 prices are so inflated.

What is this? lion chief electronics in a so called legacy loco?

 Jon, first thank you for jumping into this but is there a way by number codeing or something that we can tell if a loco has this type of board in it. I mean will this be the norm on all small switcher engines? If it's doesn't work well for low speeds than that's an issue.

This BEMF is beginning to sound like a dumb idea...but then it sounds like BEMF or nothing. So it should work for some but not for most probably.

I was thinking about an 0 8 0...my old one is looking good to me now.

I don't like this new approach by Lionel.

Since this is not an improvement - possibly a cost cutting measure................

Factor in the way it was introduced to the marketplace certainly  leaves a person suspicious.

And as mentioned earlier........how do we know which engines will have the new system.

I'm on hold for any new purchases until this becomes much more clear.

Dave

Low blow by Lionel in my opinion.   Glad I didn't get a new one over my RS 5.0 version from a few years back.   Lionel better not do that to the mogals coming out next year. Another small engine with limited space.

Crap, I got the GTW, but haven't run it yet. I also have an order in for the GT Mogul. Lionel should not market the locomotive as Legacy if it doesn't perform as a Legacy.

This sucks I want a switch to run super slow. The new NW2 better not be like this. 

Whoah, folks.... this reported slow-speed performance issue can be a real show-stopper for a "switcher" locomotive.  When I hear Legacy "switcher", I'm expecting SUPERB slow-speed performance.  Actually, if I hear Legacy "anything", that's what I'm expecting.  Anything less, and it's NO SALE.    Why on earth would I even consider paying premium $$$ for this product, if it doesn't have silky smooth slow-speed performance?  

Sounds like another hurdle for Lionel to overcome, if they want to be successful in the BTO space. 

David

So, does not perform as described here?

Charlienassau posted:

We also have break up on the Steel City sets

But Charlie, you're taking a page out of Lionel's pricing strategies... you have the loco at $900 and the caboose at $130.  Even if we wait for a 15% sale, that's $765 for a switcher loco that may not perform well at slow-speed. 

We only paid $560-ish a year ago when the 0-6-0 B6's were delivered.  Are the extra pair of drive wheels really worth $340???    I'm clearly missing something. 

David

Rocky, the Steel City engine is priced at msrp. for 0-8-0's. It is a BTO item and broken up out of a set. 

Charlienassau posted:

Rocky, the Steel City engine is priced at msrp. for 0-8-0's. It is a BTO item and broken up out of a set. 

I hear ya, Charlie.  And thanks for even offering set break-ups.  I'm sure folks appreciate that option from time to time. I was just sending you a friendly reality-check on prices. 

Here's another...  I have a brand-spanking-new N&W #612J on my forum for-sale listing that's been out there for several months now.  I lowered the price to $700 for York/Allentown shows, and there have been a few tire-kickers, but it's still hasn't sold.  So if I can't sell one of the venerable Legacy "J" steamers for $700, does Lionel REALLY think anybody's gonna pay $900 MSRP for an 0-8-0 switcher?  THAT's where the disconnect resides in Lionel's new pricing.  Just sayin'....

OK... now returning back to our regularly scheduled programming for this thread.

David