Lionel's Legacy 4-4-2 Atlantic Steamers

I have one that has worked fine, but it's the Santa Fe model.  The typical issue for a number of locomotives has been bad smoke unit motors.  You can replace them yourself, especially if it's out of warranty, motors are around $6.

If your comfortable tinkering a smoke unit is a doable thing. Get yourself some small magnetic #1 and #0 philips screwdrivers.

I do not own one of these atlantics but there has been numerous posts about "trimming the gasket" because it swells and rubs on the fan.

There have been numerous mentions of noisey or inoperable smoke unit fans. I had one on my legacy k4,got the three cab flashes indicating the fan was faulty,replaced the fan,diagnostic resets itself all is well.

I've been into nearly all of my smoke units at some point or another, at the very least if you regularly use smoke you'll need to replace the wicking at some point.So to some degree its a routine maintenance thing.

I'd start with the obvious, if you get the loco and the fan is quiet and stops after some operating time, check the gasket. If it works but is noisy, try a drop of oil on the motor shaft bushing, if it doesn't work at all replace it.

Lionel has plenty of parts available for these locos smoke unit or otherwise.

http://www.lionel.com/Customer...;q=11232&match=0

I have the Santa Fe version.  Bought it used, several things needed to be replaced shortly after I purchased it.  I cannot recall exact part, but something loosened that caused it to run erratically was the main culprit but while they "were in there" the smoke unit & a board were also replaced, all for a 100 bucks.  That was almost two years ago & it's a favorite of my small steamers.  I got it cheap so, it's worked out okay.  I figure if I buy something cheap it's no bargain... I'll have to put something into it.

 I'm thinking of getting another as they seem to be a bargain these days.  Or maybe one with the smoking whistle.

I have two, both units had to have smoke unit gasket trimmed,

my local Lionel repairman did the trimming under warranty.

Both units have been trouble free except for smoke unit repair

for about 1 year now.Good runners, great sounds,love these engines

I like the small 4-4-2 Atlantics, I have the Lionel one and an MTH Premier PRR model, both are great looking little locomotives.  So far, no smoke unit issues with either.

Are these the engines from the 2010 catalog?

I have the first one from 2007 Volume 1, the 11117 Santa Fe. Its been trouble free since new, although the smoke does seem to be a little weak compared to other Legacy steamers.

The PRR, Reading and B & O are from 2010 Volume 2.  My Legacy guide has them all listed:

http://www.lionel-modern-era.c...s/Legacy_Engines.htm

I also have the Santa Fe 11117, I bought it used.  The smoke is fine on mine, I did have to replace the wick as it was "well used", that was all it needed.

Own a Legacy PRR 'Lingbergh' E6. No problems to date. Neat engine.

Bob

I have the 2007 version also, no trouble in the last 4 years.

I have a B&O 6-11225 which is prone to shuddering at certain slow speeds.  I'm convinced it's a gear mesh problem.  Another forum member posted that his Atlantic also has the shudder.

The Santa Fe 6-11117 is a little different mechanically.  The wheels and axles are permanently pressed into the frame.  I've seen a couple of these run, and they didn't seem to exhibit the problem.

These Atlantics lack a true gearbox.  The worm gear is mounted directly on the motor shaft, and the motor is a garden variety Mabuchi RS-385.  There's a reason why these are priced lower than the Northerns, Berkshires, etc!  All things considered, I would say the MTH Premier Atlantics have a better mechanical pedigree.

Despite the above, this is one of only a few steam locos with Legacy that will run on O31 curves.  Your other choices would be the 0-8-0 and the 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler (although the latter looks more comfortable on O36.)

My $.02,

Ted

I also  have the Santa Fe 6-11117 version, which I bought used.  It runs fine, but the smoke was weak.  I opened the smoke unit and found the wick to be charred.  I replaced the wick and resistor, and now the loco smokes great.

Stuart

I have the B&O 6-11225, also. While I have not noticed the shuttering others have, the initial repairs were a hassle. Seems Lionel had some QC issues at the plant while these were in production. While it was troublesome to have to send it back for repair, I would still recommend the locomotive. Since I  received mine back after its second repair for smoke issues, it is a wonderful locomotive to run, and watch run!

too bad Lionel had these issues but still very happy with the locomotive over all.

I am using it to pull 7 MTH Woodsides, and couldn't be happier With it's looks, sound smoke, and overall performance.

this from a life long MTH guy, too!

I have the conventional verison of this from the '10 or '11 catalog - i forget which.  It was perfect out of the box and remains perfect a year later after seeing 400 hours of running in the past year - it's nearly always on the layout and often running.  It was recently on a video I posted of a day just running small trains. 

These are superb locos: scale but small, great pullers and smooth runners at low speed, good looking both as a loco (they are just a nice looking loco) and as a model (good detail, paint, etc.), with just fantastic sound, really rich and dynamic chuffing.

The modern Legacy Atlantic (PRR Lindbergh in my case) do have a somewhat "delicate" smoke unit.

Purchased new, it had to go back almost immediately as the gasket material used in the smoke unit would distort upon contact with smoke fluid resulting in a binding of the fan.

Went back a few months later due to a failed board in the smoke unit. 

Works now but I do have a "wheezing" sound from the fan which I'm assuming that may be caused by smoke fluid getting to the motor.

Great model though. Smokes well (despite above issues), great sound, great runner.

For the folks who own the 11117 Santa Fe, how is the smoke at medium to fast speed ?

On mine I've noticed at slow speed seems to smoke quite well but the faster it goes less smoke.

I have the READING version and no problems to date.  Runs good smokes good, good whistle effects.

I have the Legacy Lindbergh and two of the Legacy Reading Engines,Also had another Lindbergh (refunded by lionel) all from the 2010 catalog.

Three have already been returned to lionel for smoke problems and the fourth will be sent out shortly. Sometime one smoke unit stopped and on another both smoke units stopped. Lionel took care of the repairs and since then they have been running fine. Lionel did say the gaskets swell in the smoke unit and stops the fan from turning. 

I love these legacy engines they are good looking, Great pullers and ya gotta love that whistle smoke.

I would be careful attempting to open up and do self repairs on these engines as it has been told to me by lionel and also mentioned on this forum they are very compact inside. 

Good Luck and if you get one I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Casey.

After replacing the wick, mine works well at any reasonable speed.  I can't say I've tried "warp speed" however.

I also have the Santa Fe 11117, and have had no problems.  Runs and smokes great.  I did remove the wick sleeve that was on the resister, as described in one of Mike Reagan's videos.

George

Yep, taking that sleeve off was the first step when I opened the smoke unit!