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The GS-4 was not a Vision Line engine.....just a plain old Legacy engine. I was once on a BM&R #425 excursion, when they stoped to turn around a couple guys got on top of the engine and changed the whistle. When I asked why they said someone had brought it and wanted to hear it so they hooked it up. Goes to show you when people talk about engines having the correct whistle I tend to believe it is BS  I can’t carry a tune so why should I say a whistle is correct. As long as it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up that is all that counts.

JohnB

When the 4449 first came thru El Paso as the American Freedom Train and then again in the early 80's headed to the worlds fair, a group of us that was maintaining the SP 2-8-0 #3420 we worked on the train from El Paso to San Antonio, it was a blast to say the least.  We were chatting with Doyle McCormick the 4449 Guru and he told us that the whistle on the daylight at that time was not the original whistle but one from a steam boat from the Mississippi River boats.  Not sure but they probably found a whistle that was from a steam engine somewhere in California and traded it out.  Then again, it might still have that old steam boat whistle.  Either way, it sounds fantastic.  If there are no other  GS class locomotives running that are totally intact, then how do we know what it really sounds like?  If Doyle hadn't said that it was a steamboat whistle, we would have never guessed it.  Sounds great to me and from all the videos I've seen of it, it sounds like it still has the SB whistle.  It was also my understanding from talking with ex-SP shop guys, no two whistles were ever the same, there was always some tonal variation. 

Just maybe. Whistle and horn sounds seem to be a huge buying factor for LEGACY engines nowadays, and most of the people back in 2016 weren't happy with the sound of those GS-4's, not unlike how some were displeased with the whistle change on the 2015 UP FEF-3's (among other things).

I don't know if it impacted how well either of those engines sold 4-5 years ago, but I imagine having the 2008 whistle on the new Vision GS series locomotives might help.

A 4449 is on my short list of model steam locos yet to buy....but I'm not preordering anything any more.  I won't commit to buying a new one until I see and hear it first.

Also, on the running gear, can't they use most of the running gear from their 844 offering as a starting point to help make their model more accurate?  The thin/small running gear doesn't cut it for me.  The rods on their 844 have a nice, hefty look to them, IMHO.

Last edited by Berkshire President

I sold my Legacy 4449 because they used the wrong whistle in it. They got it right in the previous GS4 with 4436...… so hopefully Lionel has listened and read all the CUSTOMER feedback on this and will use the correct one. No pre-orders for me on anything. Once items are delivered and known to be correct or not to have any issues, then I will get one.

One of the features of new Legacy tech (engines cataloged in the 2020 Big Book and beyond), is the option of multiple whistles/horns.

The VL GS Series of engines will have 3 whistles and 2 air horns. You'll be able to switch through them using the Aux1 button or using the LC APP. The bell will also have 5 different pitch levels to choose from. The engine will retain which whistle/horn/bell you choose through power cycles.

And yes, the default whistle will be correct this go around. Hard to misidentify the 4449's whistle.

Dave Olson posted:

One of the features of new Legacy tech (engines cataloged in the 2020 Big Book and beyond), is the option of multiple whistles/horns.

The VL GS Series of engines will have 3 whistles and 2 air horns. You'll be able to switch through them using the Aux1 button or using the LC APP. The bell will also have 5 different pitch levels to choose from. The engine will retain which whistle/horn/bell you choose through power cycles.

And yes, the default whistle will be correct this go around. Hard to misidentify the 4449's whistle.

Will the B6sb have a multiple whistle option as well?  I noticed it shows that it does on the product page on  Lionel's website, but I'm not  sure if that was a misprint as it also mentions bi-color markers and both a wireless tether and physical tether lol.

Last edited by Brian DeFazio

OP UPDATE:

The Vision GS’s finally came into our shop today. I, and others were eagerly anticipating the unboxing of these things.

First off, all I can say is, Lionel got it right (as a whole). Looks wise - this is overall - as close to the one in Portland as I think I’ve ever seen a model come close to in O gauge. So - hats off to Lionel. This is outstanding work!

I, regrettably, made some very vocal statements about the whistle demonstration in Dave Olson’s FB preview of the GS-1s... and for that, I sincerely apologize to Lionel. I can now say that was more of a knee-jerk reaction to a sensitive and frustrating issue with this particular model going back many problematic releases from both manufactures. I think I was anticipating hating it and finding fault somewhere, and I did just that to some degree, which was foolish. What I’ve realized now, having heard it in person, is that the experience and the richness of the sound was totally lost and actually ruined by the Facebook video mic, who h is understandable. When you hear this thing in person IT WILL ABSOLUTELY BLOW YOUR MIND. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever heard the way the engine and tender harmonize with one another. I can’t get enough of it. The one whistle I negatively reacted to before has actually become my favorite. That’s the 3rd option (right before the air horn). Can’t stop quilling it. You’ll see what I mean if you get one...

So, the sound, especially the whistle/horn options is superb overall! 10/10. There is a power and a presence to the sound on this piece that is unmatched. For me the new 4449 will line up nicely alongside my old 4436 from 2008.

The paint seems a bit lighter in shade this time around, and that not a bad thing depending on what matching cars you do or don’t have. Compared to previous releases it seems like this isn’t as bright. What I absolutely love is the shine on the front of the boiler and the details that just pop all over. It’s gorgeous! It carries the essence of the prototype at first glance very well.

Green Marker light LEDS are VERY BRIGHT. I mean BRIGHT. Not a bother to me, but just an observation. I think I prefer the White LED look best, if we’re going just for effect and disregarding actual classifications.

I think this 4449 model is fantastic. Both the small and big lettering are gorgeous, but I think the smaller lettering version has the edge, personally.

And just as impressive is the Freedom GS-4. What a beautifully painted piece she is and just all around amazing.

Still have to check out the GS-1 we got, but I’m eager to get that one on the track tomorrow and report back...

*UPDATE: The GS-1 is phenomenal... So beautifully details and functionally just as thrilling as the GS-4. I’m not sure what’s going on with the missing number boards though.. ?? Sounds like a common issue that is being addressed on another thread so I’ll leave that there.

Last edited by DdotCdot

Aesome report on the GS locos. I had a feeling that the dynamo steam would not be as exciting and probably a bit overwhelming so I passed on ordering any of the 4449 models. I prefered to get models that represented in service locomotives and the whistle steam is just too cool to pass up.

The anticipation is killing me, I hope Trainworld and Charles Ro get their deliveries soon

@DdotCdot
Any chance of a photo of an unboxed Daylight version?

Thank you for an excellent report. I have seen only one close-up photo of the Daylight paint scheme applied to these models, which is a little frustrating given the varying written descriptions of it. If it’s a little duller than past Lionel schemes, that almost sounds like they have gone over to the 3rd Rail color treatment. But I find that hard to believe.

Last edited by Hancock52
@Hancock52 posted:

@DdotCdot
Any chance of a photo of an unboxed Daylight version?

Thank you for an excellent report. I have seen only one close-up photo of the Daylight paint scheme applied to these models, which is a little frustrating given the varying written descriptions of it. If it’s a little duller than past Lionel schemes, that almost sounds like they have gone over to the 3rd Rail color treatment. But I find that hard to believe.

As soon as we get the issues resolved with the one I personally ordered, I will then take her home and line her up next my other equipment for photos. Might be a while.

As for Daylight gear I have/had and will photo/compare:

Lionel Vision Line GS-4 Daylight SPLines (2020)

Lionel 6-11127 GS-4 Daylight (2008)

Lionel 6-38079 GS-2 Daylight (2004)

MTH 20-3029-1 Premier GS-4 Daylight (1998)

Lionel 6-29115 Daylight Cars (2004/2005?)

K-Line K4688 Daylight Cars (2003?)

@DdotCdot posted:

As soon as we get the issues resolved with the one I personally ordered, I will then take her home and line her up next my other equipment for photos. Might be a while.

As for Daylight gear I have/had and will photo/compare:

Lionel Vision Line GS-4 Daylight SPLines (2020)

Lionel 6-11127 GS-4 Daylight (2008)

Lionel 6-38079 GS-2 Daylight (2004)

MTH 20-3029-1 Premier GS-4 Daylight (1998)

Lionel 6-29115 Daylight Cars (2004/2005?)

K-Line K4688 Daylight Cars (2003?)

Thanks, I for one would be interested to see that. Meanwhile, I think it was your YouTube video I’ve posted on the other GS thread, and if I am not mistaken, many thanks for making the video.

The only thing that I have to contribute in the way of comparisons is (1) the Daylight cab forward already pictured with the video on the other thread, and (2) a 3rd Rail GS4, which I will add here once I get a reasonable photo of it.

Last edited by Hancock52
@Hancock52 posted:

Thanks, I for one would be interested to see that. Meanwhile, I think it was your YouTube video I’ve posted on the other GS thread, and if I am not mistaken, many thanks for making the video.

The only thing that I have to contribute in the way of comparisons is (1) the Daylight cab forward already pictured with the video on the other thread, and (2) a 3rd Rail GS4, which I will add here once I get a reasonable photo of it.

Thank you. Can you link me to that other GS-4 thread you posted the video to?

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