Tiffany . . . . .
I have two of these FT diesels, 158 El Capitan, 162 Super Chief, and I really enjoy them. I have added add-on cars and dummy units making consists of six to nine units behind the power unit. My engines pull like a 4-wheel drive pick-up in bulldog low! I've had no problems, operationally. The 162 had to go back to Trainz immediately upon receipt for warrenty repair - the side plates on one of the trucks were loose and would drop down far enough to catch the ties of my fastrack and stop forward movement. Trainz sent me a return label, replaced the side plates and sent the engine back in just a few days. (The side plates are merely a "press" fit, depending on pressure and friction to adhere). Not the most durable attachment, but a quick, easy and cheap assembly line procedure. At any rate, no problems since.
I tried to get gear info off the lionel website, but "parts and repair" indicated "no items found" when I entered FT diesel in the parts search. The large gear on the drive wheel looks to be metal, but I can't tell for sure if the three smaller black gears are. I keep mine lubricated with a very light application of synthetic oil. The 158 (older model) has a lot more running time than the 162 and the gears look the same as the 162 (only a year old). The dual motors are a big plus in my book.
I have adjusted my layout by replacing the 036 curves with 048 everywhere
possible - especially on the main line. Since these engines don't have a fixed pilot, they look a lot better on wider diameter curves, but that probably holds true for all engines.
Bottom line . . . I love my Santa Fe engines, I've had no problems with either, they look and run good, and I really enjoy them.
I've noticed that prices are all over the board on these engines, roughly from 140 to 260 dollars,depending on the vendor. I did just purchase a SF vista dome from Nassau Hobby during the summer sale currently in progress and saw the Santa Fe Chief starter set in stock. At the current sale price and with free shipping, you would get the 162 engine for a little over market price, but basically get fastrack, 80 watt transformer, and three passenger cars for free. The cars alone run for 35 to 50 dollars each. Just a thought.
And yes, I agree, they sure are pretty!
Steam Rules
"a country boy can survive!" (Bocephus, 1981)