From: Alan Lambert Fort Worth, Texas Some of these guys need to git of their high horse and start their own company so they can build it the way they want to. Then they would see what it takes to get every detail they want. Do they have a million bucks sitting at home. They need to come down to reality and live with what we have and what is in process.
Nuff said. Alan Lambert ________________________________ From: Ed <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 2:45 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: New Flyonel locos run fine....... > > "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
