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When it's all said and done, when the smoke clears, when the dust settles, most guys will swallow the $ 200 or so that some believe they deserve back, and learn to be happy with their purchase and move on.  There is already an emotional investment in the deal, and that can be difficult to give up.

As far as the discussion about sticking it to the LHS, a lot of those same guys mentioned above value their relationship with a trusted dealer and aren't inclined to do so.  Sometimes relationships with good people are more important than that $200, especially to those who can afford a $1200 engine.  That was a strange stance to take, and certainly worth a yawn.  

Originally Posted by William 1:

 Sometimes relationships with good people are more important than that $200, especially to those who can afford a $1200 engine.  . . .

Absolutely!    I will bend over backwards to do business with my LHS, because a good deal of the satsifaction I get from this hobby is due to it LHS.  First, I just like to visit once or twice a week and talk to the store employees (I consider several good friends now) or other customers (same) and look over new stock.  And often, I find I need something "desperately" right now for a project: some styrene, bassword, or brass sheets or rods for scratch building, a type of glue, some tiny screws of a certain part, or scenery and landscape material, etc., etc.  They keep a wide selection.   

 

So I order all of the really high-end stuff I buy through them, even though I can get Lionel, MTH, etc., both several days earlier and for about 10% less through the Internet.

 

that said, I did share with them my disappointment about the Berk I ordered not having the whistle steam (and yes, it is not that big a deal, as I said).  They were concerned and were going to contact Lionel to pass on the comment and see about an adjustment - won't do any good, but they were sincere and I appreciate their effort.

My new Berk (B&A, #1404) was waiting for me upon my return from an out-of-town trip this past week. I opened it up, put it on the tracks and really admired it...it is a very nice engine. I hadn't even fired it up when I noticed what is in the attached picture. The number board on the head-lamp (forgive me if I'm using the wrong terms, the pic pretty much explains it) is upside down. On the other side it is on correctly. Back in the post-war days this kind of mistake would make this engine an eventual collector's item. Nowadays, I'm not so sure. I'm thinking I should send the same pic to Lionel customer service and ask what, if anything, should be done. I'm not going to tinker with it myself...unless someone here thinks it is an easy do-it-yourself home repair.  -Len

 

Berk Nose

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Images (1)
  • Berk Nose
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by RickO:

Yes. Runs, sounds, and smokes great. As of yet I've had zero operational issues.

I thought you where sending yours back due to the no whistle steam output effect? Agreed, they do really run nice, but for $1250?

I wouldn't/didn't pay anywhere near $1250 for it,and yes,I know, I probably should still have paid even less than I did. Any attempt I made to send it back was a dead end. I contacted Lionel via phone and email,and they're sticking by their disclaimer.Personally it would be easy for them to offer a rebate similar to rebates offered back in 08'. I'm not holding my breath but maybe they'll choose to do something about it,I'm sure my complaint wasn't the only one, not to mention the unhappy dealers. The dealer was as accommadating as they could be, offered to exchange it for something of equal value( no point in just substituting stuff I don't really want) or return it minus a generous restocking fee,not gonna happen.Its not the dealers fault anyway. I guess its my foolishness for preordering, after not preordering a few locos in the recent past and wishing maybe I did, I thought this loco was worthy,lesson learned.I will go back to waiting for folks to post product reviews here on the forum before I purchase new locos. Ultimately this berk does what I wanted it to do, pull freight around my iner O-48 loop and look decent and sound good doing it.
I just hope these don't drop down to rediculous blowout prices,it will be an even tougher lesson learned, having said that, there are worse things that can happen in life.If only Mike Reagan could be in charge of the sales dept as well.

Last edited by RickO
Originally Posted by superwarp1:

Has anyone open one of these babies up yet?  Would love to know if they fit a pitman motor in or if it's the same setup as a Kline berk?

Although I have not actually "opened one up", but I did look the model over very closely at my local hobby shop, two weeks ago. Unlike the original K-Line ALCO Berks, the new Lionel model does indeed have the motor, with a good sized fly wheel, located/mounted in the firebox area.

Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by superwarp1:

Has anyone open one of these babies up yet?  Would love to know if they fit a pitman motor in or if it's the same setup as a Kline berk?

Although I have not actually "opened one up", but I did look the model over very closely at my local hobby shop, two weeks ago. Unlike the original K-Line ALCO Berks, the new Lionel model does indeed have the motor, with a good sized fly wheel, located/mounted in the firebox area.

Good to know if I ever pick one up.

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:
Originally Posted by William 1:

 Sometimes relationships with good people are more important than that $200, especially to those who can afford a $1200 engine.  . . .

Absolutely!    I will bend over backwards to do business with my LHS, because a good deal of the satsifaction I get from this hobby is due to it LHS.  First, I just like to visit once or twice a week and talk to the store employees (I consider several good friends now) or other customers (same) and look over new stock.  And often, I find I need something "desperately" right now for a project: some styrene, bassword, or brass sheets or rods for scratch building, a type of glue, some tiny screws of a certain part, or scenery and landscape material, etc., etc.  They keep a wide selection.   

 

So I order all of the really high-end stuff I buy through them, even though I can get Lionel, MTH, etc., both several days earlier and for about 10% less through the Internet.

 

that said, I did share with them my disappointment about the Berk I ordered not having the whistle steam (and yes, it is not that big a deal, as I said).  They were concerned and were going to contact Lionel to pass on the comment and see about an adjustment - won't do any good, but they were sincere and I appreciate their effort.

William and Lee, Well put and the sentiment I was trying to convey.  G

Originally Posted by GGG:
Originally Posted by Lee Willis:
Originally Posted by William 1:

 Sometimes relationships with good people are more important than that $200, especially to those who can afford a $1200 engine.  . . .

Absolutely!    I will bend over backwards to do business with my LHS, because a good deal of the satsifaction I get from this hobby is due to it LHS.  First, I just like to visit once or twice a week and talk to the store employees (I consider several good friends now) or other customers (same) and look over new stock.  And often, I find I need something "desperately" right now for a project: some styrene, bassword, or brass sheets or rods for scratch building, a type of glue, some tiny screws of a certain part, or scenery and landscape material, etc., etc.  They keep a wide selection.   

 

So I order all of the really high-end stuff I buy through them, even though I can get Lionel, MTH, etc., both several days earlier and for about 10% less through the Internet.

 

that said, I did share with them my disappointment about the Berk I ordered not having the whistle steam (and yes, it is not that big a deal, as I said).  They were concerned and were going to contact Lionel to pass on the comment and see about an adjustment - won't do any good, but they were sincere and I appreciate their effort.

William and Lee, Well put and the sediment I was trying to convey.  G

 

Sediment????

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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