> > "Ed" wrote:
> > From a practical perspective, I am not sure how 'better' due to a larger
> > motor would increase my satisfaction with the product.
> Hi Ed, It would have slow speed gearing for a more useful speed range.
Golly Dave....
Both the Y-3 and SD70 start from stop smoothly and slowly and can go faster
than I want. How much more useful speed range can there be? It is impossible
to go slower than stop and there is no desire to go faster. So what, exactly,
will a larger motor do for me?
> It would have body mounted pilot, couplers, and steps,
Not pertinent for the Y-3 steamer. The SD70 can have a body mounted pilot and
steps if you screw in the two included screws. The scale-wheeled version also
has a mounting bracket for Kadee couplers. So the complaint is.......?? Yes,
I will have to fill in a large open space with a flat piece of black plastic.
But I am a model railroader and do not see this as a big deal.
> it could have brass sprung trucks,
The SD70 has metal sideframes. When painted, you cannot tell if they are
brass, plastic, pewter or cast white metal sideframes. The detailing is quite
nice. Again, I see no cause for complaint. Sprung or not sprung is not much
different from any other loco ever produced in S scale. Some are sprung, some
are not, all can be made to run well. Simply not a problem.
> it would have enclosed , rugged, easily repairable gear train using easy to
> get replacement parts
How do you know that the SD70 does not already have these features? Have you
seen one? I will admit to running the SD70, but have not taken it apart. So I
do not know. But why not wait until seeing the actual product and examining it
under a bright light before making harsh comments about the design details. I
do know that it runs very well. As well as, or better than, brass imports
right out of the box. Have you tried finding replacement gears for older brass
imports? Not easy, I can assure you. Lionel offers a 3-year warranty for
spare parts availability. Better than some, for sure.
> it would have an NMRA DCC plug, and scale wheels.
Many of the SD70s come with scale wheels. Some, apparently, do not -- at
least, not yet. The Y-3 can be converted to scale wheels by SSL&S (note the
correct spelling of SSL&S). Both locos come with a built-in DCC decoder.
While you may prefer a different brand of decoder, an experienced modeler
should be able to make the switch if he wants without too much difficulty.
Again, I see little to complain about with the standard Lionel/AF offering.
Could it be better? Certainly! But a larger motor is not what is needed to
make it better. I would choose other things to target for improvement. Motor
size is not an issue -- at least with me.
> It wouldn't have crew talk or bullet train speed
The maximum speed can be limited easily with the throttle and a properly-set
CV. Slow speed performance is quite acceptable as is. Finding a way to turn
off crew talk would be nice. Maybe next year?
> It would show a commitment to advancing the hobby of model railroading more
> than the hobby of toy train running and collecting.
The Lionel/AF Y-3 and SD70 show quite an improvement for scale model
railroading when compared to past Lionel products. It really is a step
forward. Given Lionel's heritage as a toy train company, I would say it is
rather amazing it has come this far in just a year or two.
> It would give us something we could buy and use without spending more to
> modify it for scale use
Some AF locos (U33C & SD70) come with scale wheels and Kadee mounting brackets.
The Y-3 can be converted to scale by Fred and the total cost is about half
that of a brass import of a similar loco. I guess I am missing something here.
Compare that to other NEWLY TOOLED RTR scale locos released in the past two
years by AM, SHS, DPH, SMMW, BTS, RRM, etc. and what conclusions can be drawn?
I see some resin kits from SMMW and some exquisite expensive brass from RRM and
not much of anything else. I think Lionel has done well for the S scale guys.
Their prices are reasonable, discount prices are available at some dealers,
detailing is nice, operation is acceptable, etc.
> The design of the SHS switcher was a great example of what I'm talking about,
> it had all the compromises in the right spot, scale over toy but worked with
> either.
Have you written to Lionel to request that they copy the SHS concept? Have you
written to MTH to request they copy the SHS concept? Without some meaningful
communication, how will either company know what you want to purchase? If the
only thing that will make you happy is an SHS loco, you will have a small
roster.
The SHS diesels that I have do not have working diaphragms. My SHS cattle cars
do not have cows. The SHS flex track is oversized for just about every
railroad. The list could go on and on. But for what purpose?
My spleen has been vented. One thing is for sure, it is impossible to please
everyone. The person who attempts to do that will fail.
Cheers....Ed Loizeaux
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