REVIEW: Lionel Legacy SD40-2 in MILW, SOO, & NYS&W

[@NB-ski]

I’d like to know more about how you fixed the pilots on these. Did you use a spacer? Screw it from the top? Remove the safety tread then screw?

[@KsModels]

I used a styrene spacer to fill the gap, then drilled two holes up from the bottom through the deck. The safety tread is not removable, it's molded into the body so I had to fill where I drilled with putty and shape it to the tread

[@davidkoehler136]

beautiful milwaukee units

[@visionarylocomotiveworks9703]

I think this was a more than fair review. I’ve noticed how the problems with Lionel products have come up far more frequently in the past 5 years since Mike Reagan left in 2015. As a guy who loves O scale, I do want Lionel to stay in business for another 100 years, but not if the product becomes so subpar in quality. Hopefully, things look a bit more promising in 2021 since Lionel’s moving forward on their new RailSounds system to change the horn or whistle as desired, and apparently moving some of the production over from China to Korea.

[@ToddWerner-vp3vc]

I noticed in your video that the So Bandit is running with the beacon flashing. Just wondering how you did that. I am a new modeler, and just picked up the Soo bandit. Thanks!

[@ToddWerner-vp3vc]

Sorry, it was the Milwaukee engine in the video that is flashing beacon.

[@KsModels]

I no longer have these engines but if I remember correctly, I was able to trick it into coming on by hitting the "emergency stop sound effect" while the engine was moving on the legacy remote. Only issue was that it would shut off every time I stopped the engine.

[@Mcnibbus]

Did some research the free rolling 3rd axle on these units are to help them negotiate tighter curves since an awd system requires tighter tolerances which in turn makes more friction which then leads to the unit requiring a wider curve. I could be wrong but thats what I’ve found

[@randyjacobs9489]

As you commented about the horns, Lionel puts that same crew talk character in everything which the voice alone is annoying. My FEC E-9s horn sounds like a harmonica!

[@KsModels]

I've noticed that too whenever I shut an engine off. I would think an engineer on an NYC hudson would sound different than an engineer on a UP Gevo

[@CSXtrackworker]

Crew talk feature is a great example of how we do not sound on the Railroad. Been employed for a Class-1 for over 20 years and I have yet to see a crew talk feature that is even remotely close to how we sound. The voice is extremely hokey.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

Hey Greg. I purchased 2 SD40-2’s ten years ago, Legacy. The sounds and crew talk have not changed one bit. I have not purchased Lionel Diesel since. Only Steam. They have become boring, I only buy MTH diesels. You should try MTH. I love there variety in sounds & individual crew talk. Cheaper too

[@KsModels]

I would have loved to see MTH try and beat Lionel here, they could've redone DCS to be a bit friendlier and the 2-3 rail system is great since I can get kadee mounts and fixed pilots from the factory. Shame they had to close.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

@@KsModels yep I agree, although Vision line Steam is awesome I don’t own one yet I’ve been buying steam switchers. H-10 and SB6b. I hope MTH comes back, I heard 2021 catalogs are a real thing

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

I’m using the $25 DCS APP running trains on my tablet it is awesome. I can create a lash up in seconds

[@KsModels]

@@conductorjohnmthtrains2239 the app does sound cool, I've tried it at shows and I liked it too. However I've always been using the DCS remotes and have been holding out for a V2 of that.

[@Matthew_O_Scale_Trains]

Can’t blame you for wanting to stay away from Lionel stuff these days. How did you pin the pilots on these? I’m converting mine to fixed pilots and I was curious.

[@KsModels]

I drilled straight through the pilot and the front/rear decks, ground the screws down flat and filled them in with a putty. I used a styrene shim to fill the gap between the pilot and decks

[@Matthew_O_Scale_Trains]

@@KsModels thanks. I’m like you and prefer Kadees and fixed pilots.

[@GfwTrains]

Those are very nice. I love the Milwaukee Road and Soo engines. Thanks for the review. Good and bad.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

I like your detailed Layout though. Similar to mine. Good work on Track and Landscaping

[@davidfortney2970]

Nice engines and layout but I think you guys are expecting way to much. Its fine to complain about quality control but to complain about the horn sounds on several models are the same, or small details are missing or wrong is going over board. Guys this is 3 rail, a very small part of their production is what you guys buy. If you want prototypical trains that you must move to 2 rail and even then items may not be perfect. Remember inside the Lionel catalog always says things may not be as pictured, they are subject to change. So either accept What Lionel produces or move on to collecting stamps.

[@ianerickson7038]

HE IS BACK!!

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

Very cool video glad that you are reviewing a lot of engines really enjoyed the Milwaukee road Hiawatha set review I wonder if is any way that they could make the red light for the back ree of the observation car maybe someone could cmake it cause all the videos and pictures to show that they're using a red light now but maybe that wasn't a red light originally back when the car Was released the original Hiawatha consist

[@KsModels]

Thanks! From everything I could find that rear light was always red on the prototype. What I did was I painted a few layers of Tamiya translucent red to change the color.

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

@@KsModels That's awesome I hope it looks very good might be a K nice thing to make a video of a Before & After of its possible I'm looking forward to getting some passenger cars of that set I know they're doing it again it's an awesome looking set are you gonna be getting the North coast limited passenger train set?

[@KsModels]

@@fulviosantangeletta5838 In the Hiawatha review it shows it painted, I don't think I have any clips or photos of it before I painted it unfortunatly. Yes we are getting the North Coast Limited, it should be a great train.

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

@@KsModels I have a dome sleeper and gonna get the dome coach of the North close limited I have the finishing set for the other cars at the moment but it's a very cool looking set the full proto typical set will the absolutely fantastic How soon are you already have the complete set of the North coast limited passenger cars and I imagine the F3 northern Pacific I got that locomotive just the a unit

[@KsModels]

@@fulviosantangeletta5838 Our set is still on the way, not exactly sure on when it will arrive but we did get an ABA set of the F3s in NP. Those diesels should be stunning.

[@DavidSmith-rc7hs]

Ok first off superb video,,,, now let's talk. I have sd40-40-2 myself, but mine are mth or rather weaver before Mike bought the molds....ok so what I would like ta see is a side by side comparison of both. I see you are into super fine detail... I am not. But my issue is the back porch on the lionel model. These are supposed to be scale....I really wish you would do this..and post vid thanks. Now for the last thing I think you may be wrong about the 6 wheel trucks as far as all axles powered it is a common practice to leave one of the axles dummy even Mike train house does this and I know lionel does it ....the reason is this will let the loco transverse o gauge track... this is a good thing not bad as the trainmaster from lionel has done this since the 1950s. It is so the engine can go around standard o gauge track.....thanks. but please do a side by side....

[@michaellindsey8769]

I would never pay that kind of money for a o gauges or ho scale it all most like a car or truck payment no way

[@MrDominick4950]

Well saying that they are three rail trains does not justify Lionel cutting corners as to keep the cost down that is a poor excuse.They have been producing scale size trains for years now but they still build them to accommodate tight curves and that is where a lot of the problems start.First and foremost if you are going to make scale size then keep it scale. For starters these floating pilots simple suck plain and simple a least ATLAS in some cases offers a fixed pilot change over for the modeler that demands prototypical looks. LIONEL as well as MTH have 2 different categories they offer in their catalogs at yet both companies follow the same rule. If you want to model in tight spaces then you have STANDARD O or RAIL KING but moving into the scale world these 2 companies don’t do that they still keep building this stuff to accommodate tight spaces.I see a lot of these videos with these big boys going around these curves even an 072 and to me the overhang is so ridiculous. The best LIONEL can do after all these years is come up with this fast track system instead of coming up with a product that can be compatible with some of these other track producers and produce track that can go much wider then 072 for christ sake you make these big engines but they don’t give you a track that can go wider on the curve. That fast track is ok for a young kid starting out around the CHRISTMAS TREE but for serious modelers that don’t cut.That one character says you want scale looks then go to 2 rail why should I and then sell out years of collecting only to buy back the trains that I had ridiculous!! They say you get what you pay for well DAMN $2,200.00 for an engine you would think that it would be top shelf but its unexceptionable to buy something like that take out of the box an discover that something doesn’t function right and now your stuck with one option send it back to LIONEL really that goes for the same if it were a $600.00 dollar engine. Well I can go on here but I will not the bottom line is companies like LIONEL and MTH to name a few their are others really don’t give a rats ass about the people that buy their product what comes first is the MONEY like everything else in our society today its sad but that’s the way it is unfortunately I am not saying don’t misunderstand don’t make a profit but go the extra length and perfect your product before it leaves the warehouse and that goes with everything.These companies don’t listen to their customers on how they can improve on their products no they cut many corners to keep their cost down while at the same time increasing the cost of their products they add a small little feature in the next run of trains and the price jumps up a few hundred dollars.LIONEL is NOTORIOUS when it comes to their paint schemes the sound of their diesel horns at times the way everything is put together bent frames sagging couplers trains uncoupling when running ETC. yes LIONEL HAS MANY ISSUES THEY NEED TO ADDRESS WILL THEY WELL I WOULD NOT MAKE A BET ON IT!!! HAVE A NICE DAY.

[@PainesvilleRailfans]

What? Overcharge a "Built To Order" model that has a physical defect, missing parts, incorrect paint, a mechanical issue and or bug the computer system, with generic overused sounds? no thanks.

[@conductorjohnmthtrains2239]

Wow! Unpowered front trucks? CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!. I would return them.

[@keatonsparksvideoproductions]

2 minutes in till i relized that it's o scale lol

[@bryananderson4592]

Watched 5 minutes n subscribe

[@DjsOgaugeTrains]

Wow, great custom work! But that’s some of the worst QC from Lionel I’ve seen. Their catalogs look great, but the products are getting worse & worse. I’ve sold a lot of my Lionel and have been transitioning over to sunset/ GGD more

[@KsModels]

Agreed, we've been doing the same with our models.

[@tom25pa]

Lionel has been screwing up a lot lately.

[@roscoepcoltrane5499]

on what??????? its a toy that runs on 3 rail track and you train weiners are counting rivets.....and not rails....im glad im not a hi-railer anymore....you people killed it!!!!!!!!