Tooling for new LC+ Berkshires

This is the same tooling that was used for the conventional classics 726 Berk, only modified for the LC+ electronics and CAN motor. It is an extremely close reproduction to the Postwar Berk. The attached CAD photo highlights the separate details highlighted by differing colors.

Thanks!

Based on that info, I will stick with the old ones, thank you.

Be cool if Lionel made a Polar Express Tender to go with the Berkshire.

Dave Olson posted:

This is the same tooling that was used for the conventional classics 726 Berk, only modified for the LC+ electronics and CAN motor. It is an extremely close reproduction to the Postwar Berk. The attached CAD photo highlights the separate details highlighted by differing colors.

Thanks!

 

 

Great news and thanks for sharing the CAD image.  This loco is a home run for Lionel. Now knowing it is coming from the CC tooling, this will be my first new (non-secondary market) Lionel purchase.  Great work on this one, should be a big seller. I'm sure my son wil love the Bluetooth app option as well.

All the best,

JD

Excellent!  I had been looking for the MPC-Era Nickel Plate Berk... but this will run, smoke, and sound so much better!

Jon

Wonder what wheels will be used ?  2017 RTR catalog shows open disc where as 2017 Sig shows solid wheels.

Will it have the same boiler front and headlight as the CC version, or will it have the headlight with number boards as shown in the catalog (as on the 2046)?

I am hoping for the true 726 style!

These will have the disc wheels.

Also, the boiler front/headlight will be in the Postwar style. Good catch on the catalog image. Hadn't noticed that during the catalog checks.

Thanks again!

Fantastic! No reason not to order one now...just need to pick one. Probably Lionel Lines.

Thanks Dave,

Your responses to the questions asked about the tooling in this thread will definitely increase sales for the LC+ Berk.  After reading your answers I know for sure that sales increased by two :-) 

Thanks again.

Ed Boyle

Ed Boyle posted:

Thanks Dave,

Your responses to the questions asked about the tooling in this thread will definitely increase sales for the LC+ Berk.  After reading your answers I know for sure that sales increased by two :-) 

Thanks again.

Ed Boyle

Make that 3

Make that four (4)  plus votes for the old Delay, Linger and Wait also know as the Lackawanna version. Graham

Hmmm.....I've got a Postwar 726RR that is a regular runner on my layout. If it will be "Postwar Style" with the Baldwin Disc drivers, this may be worth a second look.

Nice! Make that five!

Unfortunately I am shying away from the LionChief Plus Steam offerings at this time.  The biggest reason is the lack of a Front Coupler. I do have the LC+ PRR RS3 and love running it.  The remote and dual couplers hold my interest longer than my conventional steam, 2025 and 8142.  I really like to be able being able to couple onto and back cars out of a spur siding, or to use a passing siding to switch the train direction without turning the locomotive.  I think it would be cool to run some short trains tender-forward (Strasburg-style).  I'm sure they did lots of that back in the real days especially over shorter distances.  With only one coupler I feel like loop running and more of the old 0-5-0 hand switcher is the result.  

I know the A5 switcher has two couplers, but for some reason I'm not appealed to that small of a switcher model. 

The lack of a Belpaire Firebox on the PRR Mikado has something to do with it too. Ha!

-David

The PRR had several non-Belpaire USRA Mikados on their roster.

Jon

Lionel retired the PW 726/36 mold after one last production run in 2000 or so. It was touted as the final loco made in America before production was shipped to China. It carried the Nickel Plate livery  

I assume the LC+ Berkshire will be from the newer Conventional Classic mold. I have that one and it is very nice, indeed. 

KOOLjock1 posted:

The PRR had several non-Belpaire USRA Mikados on their roster.

Jon

That they got rid of as quickly as they could.  Several ended up on the Frisco.

DWBaseball posted:

..... I really like to be able being able to couple onto and back cars out of a spur siding, or to use a passing siding to switch the train direction without turning the locomotive.  I think it would be cool to run some short trains tender-forward (Strasburg-style).  I'm sure they did lots of that back in the real days especially over shorter distances.  

-David

Tender forward running probably would have been extremely rare with big steamers like the Berks. They were not designed for switching duties or to be short haul engines. They moved heavy freights. Really, it would look a little weird seeing a Berkshire running any distance pulling a train in reverse. If you want to do that, you might want to look at a 0-3-0 or 0-4-0.