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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 28, 2020 1:39:30 GMT
First... let me just state I think whenever Lionel offers silver trucks on their diesel locomotives and rolling stock, that color shows off the detailing on the trucks SUPERBLY.
Having said that, I've gotta wonder WHY Lionel chose to offer its new Alaska RR F7's with silver trucks on the A-units (a good thing) BUT black trucks on the B-units (a not-so-good thing). The new 21" Alaska RR passenger cars all have silver trucks as well. So only the B-units have the black mismatched trucks. 
Now in Lionel's defense, the catalog illustration shows the locomotives as delivered. I just think the black-truck B-units stand out like a soar thumb.
I'm thinking about ordering the AA pair to go with my Alaska RR 7-car SUPERLINER set from the early 2000's -- just because the Legacy Railsounds package on Lionel's new F-units is SO MUCH better than the TMCC Railsounds on F-units that often sounded like a sick cow. OTOH, Lionel did use silver trucks on all Alaska F-units (A's and B's) back in those days.
So now I'm wondering if I could swap the silver trucks from the early F-series B-unit and place them on the newer Legacy B-unit, so all locomotives would have silver trucks??? That would be TOO simple a solution, right?  If not, then perhaps I could just buy a pair of silver trucks if Lionel has these as spare parts. How convenient if that were the case!
Ideally, if either solution is available... I'd purchase an AA-pair of Alaska F7's plus the SuperBass B-unit. No need for another powered unit, since the the 7-car train on level grade shouldn't be a problem at all for the one powered A. And I'd save over $400 in the process.
Here's a youtube video of the set from a recent "live" event Eric hosted. It showcases the new F-series Railsounds quite nicely. Very much like the superb Lionel Legacy Great Northern F3 set I already have from a couple of years ago.
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Post by david1 on Jul 28, 2020 2:14:20 GMT
The easy fix is to paint the trucks silver. But that don't solve the misstep by Lionel not matching the A units.
It's a shame buyers would have to fix what Lionel did not get right but that seems to be today's lionel.
Dave
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 28, 2020 4:11:02 GMT
The easy fix is to paint the trucks silver. But that don't solve the misstep by Lionel not matching the A units. It's a shame buyers would have to fix what Lionel did not get right but that seems to be today's lionel. Dave Exactly, Dave. A full ABBA complement can set the buyer back over $1,600 -- not chump change... and certainly not the kind of money where we should feel the need to "fix" the product in order to get 100% satisfaction.
The way I see it, it's just another example of Lionel producing far too many products... and not keeping their eye on any of them. I'm glad I didn't pre-order the way I would have in prior years. I'd rather debate the pro's and con's AFTER we see what's delivered WITHOUT any commitment.
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Post by josef on Jul 28, 2020 11:41:52 GMT
Watching Eric's video, it does look weird and first thing I noticed. Maybe if a weathering job was done on a ABA set, especially lower part, might not be noticeable. But it is more noticeable on a model layout.
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Post by ptc on Jul 28, 2020 12:42:33 GMT
Easy fix, have Harry paint the trucks of the B unit.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Jul 28, 2020 14:19:00 GMT
The swap between entire truck assemblies or just the side frames is impossible. A drive line change and consequent component redesign happened at some point around the time of Legacy introduction. Nothing in the 2 designs interchanges.
The good news is a repaint is a simple proceedure. The Legacy truck side frames detach without removing entire assemblies from the B. 2 black screws fasten each side and are easily accessed from underneath.
A generic form of silver is available where automotive spray bombs of lacquer are found, sometimes labeled as aluminum paint. Light, even coats will produce the desired silver color without a pronounced metallic flake. Prep with an alcohol wash, practice spray on scraps to hone application skills then go to 'er. The entire transformation is possible, start to finish in an hour or less.
Bruce
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Post by ptc on Jul 28, 2020 14:49:31 GMT
"The good news is a repaint is a simple proceedure. The Legacy truck side frames detach without removing entire assemblies from the B. 2 black screws fasten each side and are easily accessed from underneath.
A generic form of silver is available where automotive spray bombs of lacquer are found, sometimes labeled as aluminum paint. Light, even coats will produce the desired silver color without a pronounced metallic flake. Prep with an alcohol wash, practice spray on scraps to hone application skills then go to 'er. The entire transformation is possible, start to finish in an hour or less.
Bruce"
Terrific suggestion, Bruce.
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Jul 28, 2020 14:54:57 GMT
I found Eric’s video interesting. Researched some photos of Alaska Railroad’s F7s and saw that some sets had either matching black trucks on all A and B units or matching silver trucks on all units.
Obviously, Lionel botched this with the unmatching trucks. Again, I NEVER pre-order anything from Lionel and in fact, simply don’t purchase new Lionel, because of the ongoing quality control issues that never seem to go away.
When will you guys learn? 🤔
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 15:35:12 GMT
David, those ALASKA F7's show very well on a layout! DAVID1's and Bruce's suggestions would be the way to go. I have some trucks that will get a silver repaint as well. My other concern is with the 21" Lionel Passenger Cars. Doesn't look like they have flexible diaphragms...an add on for sure if they would fit. Insert MTH 18" Premier Passenger Cars into this train of thought! Otherwise a vey nice looking set all around! I also watched the video to get a better take on this set. Great startup and sounds. If you take the plunge on this ALASKA ABA set I believe you will be very happy with your purchase.
Regards,
Gary.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Jul 28, 2020 16:15:53 GMT
The struggle to understand what will interchange with what usually ends in disappointment and color applications are generally fraught with endless problems. Fortunately in this case a solution is easy, economical and within everyone's skill set. I tackled a set of 24 HO American Beauty type passenger trucks in the same manner most recently. My City of Los Angeles looks so much better now.
Bruce
Edit. If applicable, the F3 belly tanks received the same silver on equipment sporting silver trucks.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 28, 2020 16:42:57 GMT
Bruce, MANY THANKS for the excellent tips. Sounds like that's the way to go.
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If not, then perhaps I could just buy a pair of silver trucks if Lionel has these as spare parts. How convenient if that were the case!
