Lionel Vision line Big Boy Coal Collapse Feature

I think you're right.

A feature that I not interested in either.

To each their own

I think it is quite nice.  I'd like it more if it moved up and down more than the half inch or so it moves, but I understand why that is a practical limit.  I won't be buying a V Big Boy in spite of my enthusiasm for this feature (I have a perfectly good JLC version), but I think it is fantastic and I expect it will be on locos I will buy in the future.

I don't have a dog in the hunt - won't be buying one regardless - but IMO it looks GREAT.  My concern would be yet another layer of complexity and another part to fail.  Still, it is slick, and it looks much better than I thought it might.   

Cool idea but in reality ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.............

The coal depletion is "nice" however, I am not excited about the feature. What is the added cost having that feature? 

 

Bob

Folks want more.  They want their trains to do more to increase the play value.  Lionel innovated to add to the play value.

 

IMO as cool as the coal load is, I really wish they would start making accessories and cars that take advantage of Legacy.  Enhance operating cars and track side items to work with the trains.

 

IMO though, I think we'll see a coaling setup to go with the Big Boy that will enhance the coal load feature.  Don't quote me but I have a funny feeling that the coal load is just the beginning.

I suspect that in normal operation, it'll be like watching the hour hand on a clock.

 

Rusty

I think it is interesting but to me it seems as if it's a feature folks will loose interest in relatively quickly.  

Although I don't have the layout or funds for this big boy, I think the new feature is awesome.  I really like the new fuel dialog sounds and this just adds too it.

 

Also, I agree with Marty, more legacy rolling stock and accessories would be great.  I like take my log dump cars to the sawmill, my aquarium cars to the aquarium, and my vision tank cars need a filling station.  It would be great if Lionel made an accessory that went in tandem with the sounds of the cars.

My initial thought is that this is one more thing to break and another incremental increase in cost. Software limiting the capacity of the locomotive, however sounds like fun.

 

Gilly

A cool feature for sure but not nearly as nice as that classic steamboat whistle last heard in the Lionel FEF.  

Looks wise, the engine is exactly the same with no additional add on details over my JLC BB.   It makes no sense for me to even think about it.

Joe

I personally think the concept is great, but like others here the execution is not very exciting.  I watched Mike demo it at York and it started out well but the decrease stopped after very little movement.  Hopefully Depleting Coal Load Ver 2.0 will simulate much more coal being used.

Frankly speaking, if the Big Boy ONLY had the depleting load as its "defining" standout feature, it would likely be a dud.  However the extra blowdown effects are likely to drum up more interest -- both from a buyer's standpoint as well as visual interest for layout visitors.  But even at that, the novelty may wane after plunking down $2K+ for it and paying the credit card invoice this time next year.  

 

David

I'm in the rather have more steam effects camp.  But I still want the locomotive.

I would rather see a coal auger between the engine and tender, disguise the wireless tether even if with only a flexible rubber tube. This applys to all steam engines that had coal augers. It's rather bare looking with an open space between the two.

Tough Crowd.  What other train manufacturer/importer is adding features like this to their locomotives? 

 

I'd be interested to see what you would come up with as features that are not already on this locomotive.  If not the coal load, then what?  Not being argumentative, but what feature would you make. 

 

A waving engineer?  A non prototypical swinging bell?  Exploding boiler?

 

Seriously though throw some ideas out.  Maybe one will get traction.

 

 

If you haven't figured it out yet, it ain't the features, its the price. 

Lionel seems to again be testing the market above the upper limits of acceptibility where few have been willing to go.

Joe