Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The Amtrak F40PH Phase III #226 that I ordered arrived today. It matches the the catalog picture headlight-wise.

I did notice that it takes two presses of the ditch light on/off to effect a change in behavior on it.

I also noticed that Lionel has ditched the Lionel branded blue ribbons and packing paper.  There was no foam wrapping either.

@rplst8 posted:

The Amtrak F40PH Phase III #226 that I ordered arrived today. It matches the the catalog picture headlight-wise.

I did notice that it takes two presses of the ditch light on/off to effect a change in behavior on it.

I also noticed that Lionel has ditched the Lionel branded blue ribbons and packing paper.  There was no foam wrapping either.

When mine arrived it had the blue ribbons and clear plastic wrap around the engine.

@2012ford posted:

When mine arrived it had the blue ribbons and clear plastic wrap around the engine.

There’s no foam cause there’s no running boards besides the back deck and probably was inspected prior to delivery with someone leaving out the ribbon..

This isn’t what I meant. It had blue ribbons and plastic wrap. They just didn’t say “Lionel” on them nor did they have any Lionel logos on them. All of my previous Legacy engines had the very nice blue  and white Lionel ribbons and plastic wrap that had the Lionel logo. The combination made for a very premium looking product.

As for foam, yes there was none on the back deck, but there was also no foam wrap under the plastic wrap.

Anyway post some pictures!!

How about a video? (I refrained before because it’s not the CSX version and I was only asking about packing and ditch light function, since those are probably common to all versions.)

Last edited by rplst8

I wish Lionel would use that nice fiber wrap like MTH uses/used on some tinplate items.  Won't tear and won't leave a mark on the product like some foam can.  Also nice sturdy foam trays need to be used vs the new plastic clamshells.  It should not be an issue with green packaging because these boxes aren't thrown out or single use like food trays are.  These boxes should last the life of the product.

Last edited by Mike W.

My first F40PH arrived January 6, 2023.  It was factory sealed and double boxed by the dealer. Thick 1" bubble wrap cushioned the factory sealed box in a larger shipping box. When I opened the factory box, I was disappointed to find a broken piece off the rear left truck and a missing Roof Lift Ring. (Not in the factory-sealed box.)  I have detailed all seven Ski Train cars and five of the new CSX Business passenger cars in anticipation of the F40PH engines.  I hope this is not what I will be finding as the other F40ph engines arrive. Wish me better luck.

Attachments

Images (3)
  • IMG_3550: 22337362 Rio Grande Ski Train F40PH #283.
  • IMG_3549: Missing Roof Lift Ring. 22337362 Rio Grande F40PH #283
  • IMG_3551: Part from Truck side frame.

Check the trucks on the business car, the square axle end caps were missing on two of the cars . (Also not in the box to reattach) Sad to see the lack of quality control.
I was really looking forward to these locomotives, especially those CSX. Probably going to wait and see what the Atlas F40ph looks  like?? Just a bummer because they don’t have the business model or ski train, instead they did transit authorities

I ordered another 2233762 Rio Grande Ski Train F40PH #283 from another dealer. Hopefully that second engine will arrive with all parts on it. I have detailed seven of the Rio Grande Ski Train and five of the CSX Business passenger cars. I have the seven passenger cars from the first CSX Business Train with the Alabama Theater Car. Lionel reimbursed me for my CSX F40PH from the last run that was destroyed during shipping it back to Lionel three times for service. It will be nice to run these cars.

Last edited by John Rowlen

I am having difficulty getting good Lionel CSX and Ski Train F40PH engines. I have received six so far and only one Ski Train #283 was good. The dealer opened three CSX F40PH engines today to inspect them and found a yellow smudge on the gray nose of CSX-1,  and the first CSX-2 was missing a roof lift ring that was NOT in the factory-sealed box. The dealer opened their last CSX-2 and it had a pushed in LED and a roof panel that was glued incorrectly and up and out of position on the roof. The result is that out of nine Lionel F40PH engines, only one was in good condition in a factory-sealed box.

I ordered two more CSX-1 and one CSX-2 today from other dealers. Hopefully out of twelve F40PH engines I will find a CSX 1 and 2 to go with my one good Ski Train #283.

I have detailed the 21" passenger cars for CSX and the Ski Train that also had issues and needed two returns for a shorting truck on the CSX dining car and a 1/4" circular chip out of the Ski Train name stripe on the Dome Car in the 2-pack.

Every time I open new Lionel I find myself holding my breath.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • CSX-1-1 (2): Yellow paint on the gray nose of CSX-1 at the dealers.
Last edited by John Rowlen

Wow you have more patience than me. Sometimes there’s a sign telling “me nope don’t do it “and when I do, I find myself wishing I never did!
I’m still wondering how they screwed up the headlight on the CSX when all the other models don’t have that configuration. Something that simple should not have happened!!!

I am hoping the eight out of nine bad F40PH engines trend will change.  Right now, as of January 25, 2023, I only have one Rio Grande Ski Train #283 that is good.   (I am running it with my Lionel 6-82246 Rio Grande Legacy PB #6002 Powered that returned from Lionel Service with a crack up the middle of the roof.  It originally arrived in a factory-sealed box with a broken motor mount and the motor dangling inside by its wires.)

I ordered two more 2233751 CSX-1 F40PH from two different dealers. One of the Dealers is still trying to get a missing step for my Lionel 2033321 Union Pacific Legacy SD70AH #9096 that goes with my George H.W. Bush Funeral Train.  The other CSX-1 is due to arrive with a CSX-2 from another Dealer.  Unfortunately, all but Rio Grande Ski Train #283 went back to the dealers. with issues.

Buying new trains today is a crap shoot. The first two words out of my mouth when I open a bad engine.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Last edited by John Rowlen

Add Reply

Post
This forum is sponsored by Lionel, LLC

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×