Good morning.
I am thinking of pre-ordering the Lionel SD70ace in the Baltimore and Ohio livery. Does anyone have any experience with the recent Lionel SD70ace models? I have some trepidation about pre-ordering. Thank you.
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I have two from the 2019 catalog and they're fantastic. Nice sounds, great detail, and flawless operation. Go for it!
Thanks. Did it come intact or with broken detail parts? Lots of horror stories here and $500 isn’t chump change for me.
Ray, do you have a local hobby shop? Sometimes its best just to pick it up in person if possible. Or if ordering online just put please inspect for damage prior to shipping. Though that doesn't mean it will arrived unbroken.
@Ray Lombardo posted:Thanks. Did it come intact or with broken detail parts? Lots of horror stories here and $500 isn’t chump change for me.
Most of them will arrive with broken parts. The good news it is always the bottom step or two. Lionel has been great at sending out replacement steps for them. I won't hesitate to order more SD70ACes from the new catalog.
Yeah a broken step or two were my only issues. Nothing a drop of glue can't fix.
@tom21pa posted:Ray, do you have a local hobby shop? Sometimes its best just to pick it up in person if possible. Or if ordering online just put please inspect for damage prior to shipping. Though that doesn't mean it will arrived unbroken.
Yes, that is what I was thinking too. Thank you. I understand the others like the loco but I don’t want to accept broken parts at this price point.
I have a BNSF SD70 (6-85046) from the 2018 catalog. It's been fine.
I currently own six Lionel SD70ACE models and I owned two others but I sold them. I can almost guarantee you that you will have at least one or two steps off the bottom of the front or rear pilot broken off. The steps are extremely fragile. You can easily super glue them back into the pilot or if you want to take the time you could contact Lionel for a replacement. I have even ordered a new set of pilots on older models not covered by warranty. If you can't stomach this distinct possibility, I would not go forward. I love the Lionel SD70ACE models and I can deal with the headache. One thing you can do is order it directly from Lionel or pick it up in person from your local hobby shop if you have one to eliminate an extra trip in the mail carrier van.
I have a few, never had any issues with any broken parts.
