Gotta agree with you on the "freight sounds", the engine sounds are passable but the freight sounds stink. Don't know if a better speaker would help but they need something.
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Okay guys...try NOT to have a heart attack. I found an AWESOME Lackawanna set on E-Bay. I have to hold my hand back from bidding on it, but I'm losing the struggle. Check this out. Time to start convincing your wives you HAVE to have this!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/LACKAWANNA-TRAINMASTER-6-18-HEAVYWEIGHTS-EXPRESS-BC_W0QQitemZ120509453735QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item1c0eec55a7
Virginian Railroad
More feedback on the MTH FM....
Yesterday was a MAJOR headache. I replaced the nicad barttery in my new FM Demo with a BCR. I had done this previously on a Budd car set and it was a quick and easy job. Not so for the FM. First off the instruction said SIX screws had to be removed to remove the body. This is INCORRECT!! Only 4 screws need to be removed to remove the body. Plus the two screws that DIDN'T need to be removed were the screws that secure the volume knob for the sounds. A MAJOR pain to get them back in.At first I couldn't even SEE the battery. I began to wonder if there was even one installed. The MTH FM has two plastic "walls" enclosing the electronics. I removed those plastic walls (4 screws) and then spotted the battery. BTW...when MTH assembled the "walls" they crimped about 6 wires in the process. Not good! They wern't cut through, but had severe crimps in them.Removing the battery was tricky because they had glued a rubber "cushion" to it and then glued the cushion to the loco. A little work with my Swiss Army knife and I got it removed. Getting the BCR in was a real project. They are slightly bigger and there isn't a lot of space in there, but I finally succeded. Then, for some weird reason, a screw had fallen off the rear coupler. I found the screw on my work table and after a hassle taking the rear truck off and re-installing the screw, I got it back together. The loco worked with the BCR. But I can tell you right now I will be having it converted it to PS2 or I will buy a PS2 loco at a good deal and swap bodies. I don't see how anyone can effectively control a PS1 loco. I couldn't get the horn to blow AT ALL. The bell rang when I pushed the bell button AND the direction button. Changing direction needed multiple pushes of the direction button. The crew sounds coming out of the loco reminded me of the Liuonel "Crew Chatter" that I have on my Mikado breakdown set. Totally unintelligible. Nothing like the PS2 locos where every word is clear and distinct. Best things about the loco are the nicely detailed paint, body, and decals, the illumination, and the heavy smoke.But the PS1 has GOT TO GO!!!! Dep
Deputy,
Friends of mine have M.T.H. engines and they produce such a large quantity of smoke you'd think a baby fog just hit indoors and it's great to know you have the demonstrator in addition to your Erie-Lackawanna F.M..
Those F.M. T.R's. must be a beautiful sight to behold with their unique color schemes, especially at Christmas time?
Good luck and enjoy them babies. Even, Santa Claus will want to run them.
Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year,
Ralph
Just a quick update....I ran the MTH FM Erie Lackawanna Trainmaster and WOW!!! That baby can REALLY SMOKE!!! The whole living room was like a fog after a couple of minutes. She runs great and today I should get the demonstrator version. Can hardly wait
Ditto from me Bob. Outstanding book. I owe you and Ralph big time. Merry Christmas to both of you. You too Doug!
Dep
You're welcome; and have a merry Christmas, too!
Bob Nelson
Bob,
I'm sorry for not thanking you sooner, for your acurate content desrciption of the "Train Master" book. Your desrciption piqued my curiosity and I knew that I had to have a copy.I'm glad that I have it, as it's enjoyable and it's a great source of reference.
Thank You,Merry Christmas,
Great speaking with you on the phone, had some laughs, especially about me and my drums being sent out of town, on my trains, by my wife.Deputy already knows that my wife is actually understanding of me, being a big child, having model trains, to an extent.
Now! You're really tempting me with the web.sites and photos. of the F.Ms.That F.M. Demo. is really a great looker. F.M. chose a fantastic color scheme for the T.R. Demo.
Have fun with the Demo., it'll really look cool under the Christmas Tree with its colors.
Merry Christmas,
Doug: LOL...welcome to the club The Lionel FM Trainmaster Demo Set you are talking about was a Century Club II offering. I remember seeing one on E-bay and bookmarking it. Then I watched it skyrocket into the stratosphere pricewise. I'd give almost anything for that setup, but I don't have that level of cash to spend. It truly is an awesome set.
Glad to hear the PS1 is running good for you. I have a few PS1 locos and I just bought a bunch of the J&W battery replacement devices for them. I'm not taking any chances I am REALLY looking forward to the "Equalizer" device from Digital Dynamics. That will convert the PS1 to a PS2 loco with full remote control and all the other PS2 features. Supposed to come out some time after Christmas. Dep
Lionel did a real sweet AA set, TMCC & RS, in the Demo colors that I have tried to buy on E-Bay several times but they always exceeded my budget limitations. I have an MTH PS1 FM in Southern green that just runs and runs and runs.
Now you guys have gone and done it! I was drooling over the FM Trainmaster Demo Loco pictures in the book and found one for sale. Only cost me $179. It has Proto 1 and is in minty condition. What's cool is I can run it with a variety of cabooses and road names and still be prototypical. Check it out:
Ralph: Was great talking to you on the phone today. If you are looking for a Lackawanna FM, keep an eye on E-Bay. The WIlliams versions are readily available and quite inexpensive. The Lionel and MTH versions will cost more but are usually more detailed. The Willaims FMs can be converted to TMCC and Railsounds fairly easily. Here's one on E-Bay with the maroon roof:
http://cgi.ebay.com/WILLIAMS-21198-GM-FM-Trainmaster-Lackawanna-MINT-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ390008951108QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5ace585144
Your description of the "Train Master" book's contents and Deputies Subject Regarding: "Question On A Lionel Train Set", and it's mention of F.M. T.Ms., has excited me to want a Lackawanna F.M. T.M.
Ever since 1954, when I saw Lionel's first F.M. T.M. 'Lackawanna' with the maroon roof, design, shape and size, have I always want one.I never did get one, but now I'll make it a point to buy one, thanks to you both.
I've always wanted a F.M. T.R., you and Bob, with his mentioning of the T.R. book, and now that I have the book, are inspiring me to buy one and since D.L.&W. (Lackawanna) RR. was Fairbank Morse's first customer and that Lackawanna RR. serviced the Nanticoke, Penna. coalfields, where my Mother-in-law and her family are from, will be another inspiration for a must buy of a Lackawanna RR. F.M. diesel.
Take Care,
Excellent Ralph!!! I'm really anxious to get this. I got one of my FMs already and it's VERY cool. The maroon roof MTH one. I am still waiting on some battery eliminators to arrive, as even though the dealer installed a new NiMh battery, I want to use a BCR. Anyway, can hardly wait for the book.dep
Hi,
I received my copy of "Train Master The Most Useful Locomotive Ever Built" by Diesel Era with David R. Sweetland, today Thu, 3 Dec. 2009.
As, Bob-(lionelsoni) mentions the book is really great and in my opinion exceeds my expectations.
When you get yours, you''ll see what Bob means of his description of this book.
Thanks, to both of you, I now have another enjoyable read.
No need on the tracking No., but thank you anyway.
A BIG 10-04 Central!
No sweat about UPS. I sent it this morning and they said it should arrive by next Monday. I have the tracking number and can send it to you in PM. I'm looking forward to that FM book!!!
Thank you, I hope this is not costing you more by U.P.S., I appreciate it.My Post Office always is crowded, thanks to the layoffs.
I contacted Withers Publishing, in Halifax, Penna. today, the books go out on the morrow and you should be receiving same in about a weeks time. As, per Bob Nelson's desciption of the book it sounds good for enjoyment, entertainment, and as a reliable source of info.
Enjoy,
No sweat Ralph. Looks like it's a great book. I will be sending out the Greenberg book today. Probably by UPS. The Post Office already has long lines in front of it.
I'm sorry Deputy for not including the whole title, ISBN and more of a description.Bob's description is more than the publisher's, plus the publisher seemed to be in a hurry.Thanks Bob for your extensive description of a book which sounds interesting, enjoyable and worthy to have.
Lots of pictures. Line drawings of various model variations. Separate chapters on Train Master history on various railroads, with rosters. Complete disposition of all Train Masters made.
Thanks Bob! How is it as far as pictures?
The title on my copy of the Withers book is "Train Master The Most Useful Locomotive Ever Built". The ISBN is 1-881411-13-3.
Thank you.
The only thing will be the wait and maybe not what you expect, because I don't exactly know the books contents, even though I asked the publisher and he said that there are various roads and I would have to look for what RR. I want.He wants to sell books.
Thanks Bill! Pretty cool! Williams actually discontinued that version. I appreciate you finding it,.
Ralph: The Greenberg book will be mailed tomorrow. Sounds great about the exchange but don't go spending a ton of money. Dep
sent you an e-mail and its williams not K-Line like I said for some reason ahve K-Line on the brain lol
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