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I had a really good experience with this engine...worked right out of the box. But all the adverse posts about this and other recent engines had me really afraid to order any others...thinking I had just been lucky.

However I took a chance and ordered the ATSF 3759 and it too is just perfect. A couple of tiny nicks on the rear edges of the rear truck, but acceptable. BTW, does anyone have a suggestion of a compatible black paint pen to use for something like this?

Originally Posted by cjack:

I had a really good experience with this engine...worked right out of the box. But all the adverse posts about this and other recent engines had me really afraid to order any others...thinking I had just been lucky.

However I took a chance and ordered the ATSF 3759 and it too is just perfect.


 

Your experience is likely typical. The reality is that most people get their engines and they work just fine. As has been commented on here many times, some people confuse trouble reports that some people like to post (like the evening news) with the real picture.

 

People rarely post a "I got my engine and it's been problem-free" comment, only the bad stuff. So some people get the wrong impression of the truth. One person out of a hundred squawks, and some people think it's the majority.

 

I pay little attention to "trouble reports" people post when I decide on an engine. And I've have never had enough problems to be concerned about. I've sent one engine back to Lionel for repair in the last three years. Big deal.

I generally have no problems with trouble reports, if the individual describes the problem and asks if anyone else experienced the issue and if and how they were able to fix it.  This can be very helpful at times when small odd tings crop up.

 

My problem, however, is whit those that proceed to condemn the product they purchased and everything that particular manufacture ever produced.

 

I will pick up my S3 next week!

Originally Posted by brucefclark:

Jeff B. Haertlein  I have one and I think that it is the best steam engine that Lionel has EVER built.  More play value then other Lionel engines close or equal to MTH engines.  BTW I will not buy another Lionel engine without the drawbar that closes the tender to engine distance.

Thanks. And good to hear about that new drawbar design, I wondered about it too, especially being a new concept.

Originally Posted by Mike R:

Great engine. Can't be beat. Awsome sound and two whistles and one horn. Mine runs on 0-42 O gauge track without any troubles. Oh yea, it's beautiful.

 

Mike R

 

IMAG0716

Thanks, gald I am getting some good reports. Two whistls and the air horn? Wow. Doyou need Legacy to activate all that, or will it wor with TMCC? Nice photo included too. I hope my S-3 will be another good operating engine free of defects.

Great engine, well worth the cost which is below other similar sized engines.  Yes, you should run it on Legacy because you can't get the benefit of the "quillable" whistle, without it. 

 

When I took mine out of the box, apparently the tender drawbar was either bent up or was made that way, but the tender was supporting some of the weight of the rear of the engine.  it wouldn't pull much, but the fix was easy, once I discovered the problem:  I simply bent the tender drawbar down a bit and everything was fine.

 

I do have two nits to pick with regards to lighting.  First, the Mars light should not go ON when the engine is running forward.  The Mars light should be on when the engine is stopped, or perhaps when it is backing.  It was the engineer's option to have the Mars light on.  Second, the marker lights seem to be too bright.  They are LED's and I'm wondering if they could be connected in series to reduce the voltage to them and dim the lights a bit.  My plan is to try that remedy.

 

Aside from those minor questions, the engine pulls well, runs great at very slow speeds all the way up to max. sounds like no other engine I have and the details are wonderful for a die cast engine.  I'm going to weather mine, which is #265, because I intend to only operate in in freight service.

 

Paul Fischer

Originally Posted by fisch330:

Great engine, well worth the cost which is below other similar sized engines.  Yes, you should run it on Legacy because you can't get the benefit of the "quillable" whistle, without it. 

 

When I took mine out of the box, apparently the tender drawbar was either bent up or was made that way, but the tender was supporting some of the weight of the rear of the engine.  it wouldn't pull much, but the fix was easy, once I discovered the problem:  I simply bent the tender drawbar down a bit and everything was fine.

 

I do have two nits to pick with regards to lighting.  First, the Mars light should not go ON when the engine is running forward.  The Mars light should be on when the engine is stopped, or perhaps when it is backing.  It was the engineer's option to have the Mars light on.  Second, the marker lights seem to be too bright.  They are LED's and I'm wondering if they could be connected in series to reduce the voltage to them and dim the lights a bit.  My plan is to try that remedy.

 

Aside from those minor questions, the engine pulls well, runs great at very slow speeds all the way up to max. sounds like no other engine I have and the details are wonderful for a die cast engine.  I'm going to weather mine, which is #265, because I intend to only operate in in freight service.

 

Paul Fischer

Thanks Paul for the insights. The Mars light sure gets a lot of comments, but yes, it shouldn't be on all the time, that is for sure, but, I waited a long time for this engine. I too am supposed to be getting #265, as I spent many summers, almost on a daily schedule, riding my bike to Jones Island, and then stopping off to see "Old Smokey" (#265), and always wishing that Lionel would make such an engine. Well...after 50 years I am getting my wish! I hope it is worth the wait!

 

Jeff

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