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I bought the new Lionel Doodlebug ( Ma &Pa ) in January.  This is my first purchase of a new Lionel locomotive/motorized unit in over 10 year.  Out of the box my Doodlebug had problems ( very disappointing )  and had to be sent to Lionel for repairs.  The turn around time including the time it took for Lionel to e mail me a FEDEX mailing authorization, sending the unit for repair, and receiving it back  took about 3 weeks.  I was impressed that the Lionel tech e mailed to  briefed me on the problem .. a bad board and the motor was loose.  I think this is very good quality customer service from Lionel's Repair Dept.   Once received back from Lionel the Doodlebug functioned superbly.

Now a new issue has arisen: the smoke unit is no longer working.   I called the retailer ( an OGR forum sponsor ) to get an authorization to send it back to Lionel and was told the only one who could grant an authorization was out for several days and to call back later in the week.  Tomorrow I'll call back and get another authorization for sending back to Lionel.  From my view point/ experience Lionel needs to step up its quality control game.  

My overall impression of the new  Lionel Doodlebug:

*The overall appearance is excellent.

*Sound is awesome  in all aspects, bell choices, horn choices, crew talk, and engine sounds!  All with excellent sound quality.

*The Doodlebug is totally compatible with my TMCC controls.

* Very disappointed that this unit malfunctioned right out of the box ... and now has to be sent back to Lionel a second time for repairs.  ( Lionel repair service was excellent the first time.   They did take care of me well.  I felt valued due to the tech keeping me apprised. )  

* With having to send this unit back a second time, I'll  have to think long and hard before opening my wallet to purchase any more new Lionel locomotives or motorized units.  

Last edited by trumptrain
@trumptrain posted:

Now a new issue has arisen: the smoke unit is no longer working.   I called the retailer ( an OGR forum sponsor ) to get an authorization to send it back to Lionel and was told the only one who could grant an authorization was out for several days and to call back later in the week.  Tomorrow I'll call back and get another authorization for sending back to Lionel.  From my view point/ experience Lionel needs to step up its quality control game.  

My overall impression of the new  Lionel Doodlebug:

*The overall appearance is excellent.

*Sound is awesome  in all aspects, bell choices, horn choices, crew talk, and engine sounds!  All with excellent sound quality.

*The Doodlebug is totally compatible with my TMCC controls.

* Very disappointed that this unit malfunctioned right out of the box ... and now has to be sent back to Lionel a second time for repairs.  ( Lionel repair service was excellent the first time.   They did take care of me well.  I felt valued due to the tech keeping me apprised. )  

* With having to send this unit back a second time, I'll  have to think long and hard before opening my wallet to purchase any more new Lionel locomotives or motorized units.  

Sorry to hear this Patrick. I hope they sort things out and get the engine back to you quickly. I know you are a Ma and Pa fan so I'm sure you were excited when they released this road name.

I got mine this week and I really like it. Have to make a slight adjustment to a tunnel portal but it navigates my 027 curves with ease.

2024-03-12 21.26.44

Bob

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  • 2024-03-12 21.26.44

An earlier post said that these doodlebugs are not scale-length, but there was actually quite a wide variety in length with the prototypes.  For example, the Boston and Maine’s numerous rail motor cars had body lengths varying between 55’ and 75’, so the model’s 14 1/2” length is still in the ball park.

I’m a believer in making the prototype fit the model, rather than vice versa, so I think of my MTH model as one of the shorter ones.

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