Skip to main content

Arrived last week.  Very impressive and enough improvements to make me want to replace my 2003 version.  I did notice the spare dummy coupler looked rusty.  I ordered a replacement through the Lionel parts site.  I must say finding and ordering the Lionel parts was very easy.  Lionel has made great improvements here. 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

My replacement Dummy Coupler arrived from Lionel Parts and although its close it is not identical...but it does get the job done.  It was the part listed under this Crescent Engine's parts list.  Also, I noticed that the motor is a Canon???  Since when has Lionel been using Canon motors and when did Canon start making motors?  This is the defunct camera company I think.

Originally Posted by Mike W.:

My replacement Dummy Coupler arrived from Lionel Parts and although its close it is not identical...but it does get the job done.  It was the part listed under this Crescent Engine's parts list.  Also, I noticed that the motor is a Canon???  Since when has Lionel been using Canon motors and when did Canon start making motors?  This is the defunct camera company I think.

 I don't know what motor is in Lionels new articulateds but as foar as non-articulated steam Lionel stopped using Pittman motors after the 2008 offerings. Its been Buhler and Canon. FWIW my most recent legacy steamers are smoother runners than the initial Pittman powered locos so it really doesn't matter to me. I believe some of these other "motor manufacturers" use bearings instead of bushings like Pittman which is a plus. I've raise the question on the forum before about motor brand versus quality, ultimately ther were no bad things said. Actually the only thing I've ever read about "motor issues" was some folks mentioning that dry bushings over time on a Pittman caused it to squeal a few drops of oil and the problem was solved.

All of my recent Lionel steamers are noticeably smoother at low speeds than any of my best locos from even ten years ago excepting the JLCs.  Mallet, V Hudson, V Challenger, SF 3759, Atlantic, Southern Crescent, the Yellowstone, two-truck Shay.

 

I do not know if this is because all locos lose some smoothness as they age - that could be the case I suppose -- but I doubt it: some of my older locos have only 20 hours on them and have been maintained and lubed properly. And they run very well, just not as exceptionally as the newer.  

 

I think it is both the motors and perhaps attention to the gearing, etc.  

 

There were two exceptions: the recent conventional Mogul - mine ran but ran poorly and I just replaced the entire chassis with one from a WBB 10 wheeler (rather drastic iI admit, but a superb little loco now), and a bargain RTR English 4-6-0 Hall class (as for the Hogwart's train) which has a tiny motor as for a trolley or something in it and shows its low price-point design in shuddering a bit at very low speeds. 

I had seen this before but it was good to watch it again.  I think it is a very good review.  

 

All in all I loved everything about mine except the paint sheen - which made mine look just like it was made of cheap plastic.   I also am one of the very few who does not like the paint scheme (too garish for me) but I repainted mine flat black and labeled it UP and its never on the shelf now, always on the layout running. 

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

All of my recent Lionel steamers are noticeably smoother at low speeds than any of my best locos from even ten years ago........I think it is both the motors and perhaps attention to the gearing, etc.  

  

It's mostly the etc., I think Lionel would say. That would be improved electronics/ Legacy.

Post

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

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×