$2000 Disappointment? Lionel Strasburg 90 Brass Hybrid Decapod
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2024
- Few locomotives are so beloved by fans, few so sought by photographers, cinematographers, and railfans alike, few so engrained into our early childhood memories, and few so…neglected by the world of model railroading….as the Strasburg Rail Road No. 90.
So, what do you get when promised the first true to blue-print model of this engine? A model promised with accurate paint, and audio? A model that costs nearly 2 grand….you get very, very high expectations. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
![[4K] MTH Premier NKP 765 Berkshire Steaming Whistle PS3 Review 20-3798-1](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Cfp1gzCSV_4/mqdefault.jpg)
I never thought I would see the day of someone being truly honest about how Lionel's quality control has gone dramatically downhill in recent years. Fantastic video.
I decided to purchase my first vision line locomotive last year. After 4 test runs it stopped moving on the test track. Turns out the motor mount was missing a screw and it was bent......and that is the last time I will ever buy a train from Lionel
@@captiansnickers5201my first and only LIONEL was my grandfathers, pre WWII.
Crude to say the least but man can it run.
Thank you for being critical of this model. I've been disappointed with the end product since I opened the box. The lack of front end rivet detail and legible number plate lettering is bottomline criminal for an almost 2,000 dollar engine and a wait of almost 3 years.
The company that has the rights to the name, is really not delivering what we have come to expect. I have heard from a dealer friend that almost half of what he receives is defective. This company is just about a bunch of executives making outrageous salaries on cheap Chinese products and charging consumers through the nose. I don't have a problem with Chinese products, but don't ask for my entire wallet. Take their track for example. Absolutely ugly, cheap looking, noisy, not even T shaped, and about $10.00 per section. Not for me, thank you. I'm glad you were so very honest, we need more of this.
I praise you for your honesty and harsh critiques which is something lacking in this hobby.
Truthfully, if people reviewed their models as you did with this, Lionel would make an effort to improve their products.
Seeing the recent catalog they just released, I'm rather disappointed.
We design and approach the entire review process with the interests of the consumer first, putting practical application of the model's features and design above all else. Otherwise, is it even a review, or just an overview of listed features coupled with hollow praise?
@dynamoscale it seemed more like a bunch of complaints then a review to me
@@block6111 Shall we ignore issues and just praise the good parts? Is not the purpose of a review to honestly disclose all the issues and the successes as well? We listed the engine's successes, the bell audio is truly magnificently captured and presented, the impressive lack of power drops on Atlas switches, overall detail accuracy. But we will not overlook the failures, either. If I watched a review of a camera that lists 8K recording as a feature, and the review neglects to mention that the camera overheats when shooting in 8K for more than a couple of minutes - I'd have an issue with that 'review'. Why would a model train review be any different?
@dynamoscale bro you were literally complaining the whole time in the video what are you on about?
@@block6111 The first two notes are defenses of the model, actually. But again, this is meant to be a review, so yes, any and all failures will be noted as that is the purpose of a review; inform a consumer of a products benefits and drawbacks to make informed decisions. I personally don't mind a number of the issues as I even stated, as they don't pose issues for me, but as they are issues, I note them for those who may care about those short comings.
One of the best videos I have viewed. Your honest review of this engine and Lionels lack of quality control is very fair. I recently purchased two of there 2023 NYC Dreyfuss Hudsons and the complete set of 21 inch cars. I was very disappointed in the color. It seems Lionel wants to know as the company that cannot get their paint colors anywhere near to correct. High end engine after engine seems to suffer from poor color match. Maybe they should just stick to making fantasy paint schemes. It gives me no pleasure in having this opinion, as being a Lionel collector for over 40 years. What really grinds me is they offer no explanation or regrets about there mistakes. I have had to repair many of there products brand new right otta the box. After all they are just toy trains right. When you spend thousands of dollars on there products a person should feel they care about their customers. Guess not.
Rudolph the red nose reindeer lookin’ tiny ass number plate
That dome cover not fitting would annoy me, sure, you could fix it with a little filing, but for almost 2 grand, you shouldn't have to. As others have said, thank you for your honest review.
The dome does fit the guy in the vid is just weak
2000 dollars ?!!! Lionel you have gone too far! for 2k you can buy A LITERAL BOXCAR
Or even a live steamer.
Our hobby has a real problem with short runs and high costs having become the new normal- scale doesn't seem to matter. I don't know that there is any way out of this period we are in either. Feedback will help, but the whole "preorder-or-forget-it/high cost/short run" hobby mantra is making it exceedingly difficult to have anything resembling a "normal" state of affairs in the model railroad hobby (of course it isn't just our hobby either). I can appreciate the manufacturers difficult position. Reading Jason Shron's RMC articles has opened my eyes to all that.
I am in HO scale and am lucky that the HO segment seems to have a handle on quality control. I can imagine you large scale guys really being upset when such a major purchase like $2000 is so frustrating due to gaffs in the chain of manufacturing and QC. Hope it improves for you guys.
$2000?
I model HO scale. I own three BOWSER decapods. Cost me around $130-$160 for all three.
In fact I own 17 BOWSER engines (15 pacifics and mikes) I paid (roughly) $500 for all, including two CHALLENGERS.
My brand new (NOS) 1978 big boy only cost me $155 last year.
I just can’t fathom paying that much for an engine.
Great video and sub’d 👍🏻
Lionel has been really struggling with paint in the last few years. What could be the problem?
Awesome and fair review! We need more like this in the mainstream. I think it’ll be good for the hobby.
I got the 90 in the 2000s paint scheme, and it's a beautiful model for sure. All the points you brought up in the video are 100% valid. The way they edited the whistle on her is so bad, especially with that jump from the medium pitch to high. Although it is much better than the reading 6 they put on Strasburg 89, I still prefer the hooter.
I feel like Lionel was still high quality around 2012-15. Something happened within the last 6-7 years. The engine looks beautiful until you start really comparing it. I don't think it's worth the money. If it was closer to $1,200 then maybe I'd change my mind. Still that number plate is terrible.
Finally! Open and honest review. I found all of the same issues as noted, including the backup jam over Atlas #5 switches. I don’t know why this has become an issue on newer models. Did they change roller size or angle?
My 2000s versions has the same issue with the dome not fitting correctly, and anemic smoke output. Some of the smoke piping must be leak prone, because the whistle steam is not very much visible, but when blown it does make the stack steam much stronger. I also have noted the speed fluctuation on mine, however letting it run for a period in forward and reverse has helped solve this issue a little but. Overall, however, I enjoy the sounds and detail and I’m happy I picked this up when I did as I’m sure this will go for quite a fortune on the second-hand market.
Many reasons here why I don’t buy new Lionel. There’s ton past product well built on the market to keep me busy
Spot on with the number plate, and everything else lol, In my view, the recent legacy run moguls are far more worse off, as There was A TON wrong with the 2000s 89, not to mention number board height, class lamp style, and tender font
The most I've ever paid for an engine is $126.00 except for a Williams true O scale 2-8-2 which I was gonna make into the famous Southern #4501. I think I paid just a little over $200.00 for it and it had never been run on a track. I still have it and will probably sell it since it is way too big to match up with my Lionel 027. Nearly $2000.00 for an engine, to each his own. Cheers from eastern TN
Thank you for your observations and comments. I was thinking it. I rode behind No. 90 in 1996, so I was thinking about it. I shall continue to think about it. I believe that reliable things must be built in the United States.
I hate how bright their new marker lights are
Whistling is steam, not with the cost .
I would appreciate a better operation and less costly option from Lionel
Actually not buying any new Lionel as my most recent purchases all have had issues.
+Demands accuracy.
+Tolerates ludicrous third rail.
Seems legit.
Great review, but I feel like a lot of your footage is way too dark?
Maybe some more lighting to let us see the details would help.
It isnt my layout, as my studio is still being renovated, I dont yet have the space for shooting in studio lighting. Also, its LOG footage, mostly using a rec.709 LUT. And thanks to Resolve no longer showing wave form maps since the newer updates: Im color grading in the dark and judging it how it looks on my monitor, where it looks fine. The waveforms are a tool for accurately judging the gamma and gain, and not judging based on how it looks on a single screen. Im also partial to a filmic look, so my color grading does lean towards a darker look to push the contrast in the lowlights.
That's what you get for buying modern Lionel. Lionel died in 1959 when Roy Cohn talked JLC into shoving his son Lawrence out of the company.
Cool review, thanks!
Higher prices also means more taxes collected. No thanks.
Is mine the only one that spins it's wheels pulling 5 passenger cars? I see it pulling a full train in all the other videos. And by the way, your video is the best so far. So because that mine can't pull, to me it's not worth the money so iv'e allready sold mine. Thanks for letting me rant.
Lionels smoke units seem to be hit or miss quite a lot ive seen some that are absolutely amazing and some that barely look like they are working
Nice review ,, I have the Seaboard version. For the most part, the engine in my opinion is really well detailed and unique. I did notice the whistle seemed large (to scale, it seems like 2 1/2 to 3 ft tall). re the cover for the front sand dome (where the switches are) .. totally out of round, seems fractionally too small to fit. I have a brass mail box, made in India, front opening little door never really fits, like this was banged out as an afterthought. That's the same impression I get with the switch/sand dome cover. Seems warped and too small for some reason.
I had the same issue with the dome cap on my 2000’s version…I was able to snap it into place with some additional effort. Not sure how easy it will be to open again though
A lot of time, I have to say a lot of the CZcams reviews were done in an almost kissing-up-to-Lionel fashion. Lionel steam engines sound great but hardly accurate! Quality of Lionel products are average at best. A very honest review! Thank you.
I’m really happy I chose to skip out on all the strasburg stuff. Honestly it’s kinda funny to me that recently the fans of strasburg have turned me against having any models from strasburg entirely. I’m not trying to overly defend Lionel they do recycle tooling a lot which I don’t necessarily think is bad for a company that is making products for a hobby that is growing at a snails pace and I appreciate the objective criticism but just the overzealous opinions and attitudes of strasburg fans ever since the moguls came out has in my opinion been really annoying. And I’ve not been a fan of strasburg ever since they crashed 475 into an excavator like a bunch of morons.
I purchased 6 brand new Lionel Engines in 2021. I got back into the Hobby after 43 yrs. 3 of them a ConRail SD 80 Mac, Southern Pacific switcher steam engine and a Lionel Santa Claus have all broken down again after going in under Warranty for repair a yr latter. I sent the engines to the Train Doctor. They can't get any parts from anyone including Lionel. I have even called Lionel Authorized Repair Shops. Some of them have 12 to 20 Engines sitting because they can't EVEN get parts from LIONEL TRAINS.
Lionel can sell someone a $ 2,000.00
To $2,500.00 Steam Engine but can't fix the thing and dont have parts when it brakes down. Lionel doesn't care about QUALITY they only care about hosing the customer FINICALLY. Folks stay away from LIONEL.
Great review in my opinion it is not worth the money at this point i missed out on this model because there wasnt enough to go around i was looking to buy a "second hand" one at a price that would make any stausburg fan choke and now im really glad i didnt pull the trigger on that im definitly subbing and thanks for the awesome un biased review
I bought the 2000s Version of Strasburg 90. My only disappointment is the front Number Plate having a solid Gold Ring around the Number 90. Wish they went with the Red Number Plate with the Writing on it instead. Overall I'm glad I purchased it. Is it too Expensive you ask? Isn't everything Lionel way too Expensive? I Think So.
Idk why people are always complaining about the price. They complain that the price is too much but buy it anyway. If you bought it, then why complain?
@block6111 Because for the Price we Expect More. Overall I like the Engine. Only 150 made. You can't be a Model Railroader because you don't have a Clue about Lionel Prices and Shortcuts they make to make a bigger profit. They promised everything on this Engine. The majority of us bought it before it even came out and never seen the Final Product before receiving it. Have you ever bought something that you expected more for the Price even if it was only 50 dollars? I bet you have.
Way to expensive
Help me here, why get a steam locomotive and not use the smoke feature? For me that is the thing that I like about real and model steam locomotives. Good review.
For me personally; my wife has a rare autoimmune disorder that often leads to interstitial lung disease, any smoke exposure increases the odds of developing interstitial lung disease with her disorder.
The cap on the sand dome has a tab that fits into a notch in the base. If you engage the tab first the cap fits firmly. As a opposite view, listen to Eric's review.
Yes, that was something I noticed, and that was oriented correctly when I tried to seat the cover, even with force it would not (does not) seat.
Hello can someone tell me what train the one driving by in the background is at 8:35 it looks rly cool
It's a Heisler, that model is a Lionel product.
@@dynamoscalethank u it's a very cool model
Great video! What camera do you use? This looks visually phenominal!
I used a Lumix S1H, and a Lumix S5 to film this review. Though, the quality of my film work goes well beyond the cameras and gear used; I have a channel dedicated to teaching cinematography as an art and a craft, and specifically centered around railfan cinematography. www.youtube.com/@everettmeehling
Anybody paying $2000 for these things needs their head examined. I wouldn't pay $500. But to each his own a fool and his money soon part.
The prices of O scale models are certainly steep, though, if one wants new and modern models in O scale, no company is going to be able to financially justify selling models of that size, with modern electronics, detail parts at HO or N prices.
I still believe that the fact that people will pay these (in my opinion) drastically inflated prices is the reason they are so inflated. I know that's capitalism. But, it's capitalism gone astray. And you hit a note when you say modern electronics. These are not Swiss mechanical watches and technology should be bringing down prices not raising them. I just disagree, now I'll crawl off this high horse.@@everettmeehling
Its becoming a hobby for the rich
WOW You Need To Compare Notes With Mike.
It doesn't matter about quality or price....the Lionel zombies will still buy them
At the beginning I can’t tell if it’s real or lionel
Na they have amazing amounts of detailed artistic and unique engineering which went into these models. But I really cannot justify the cost of owning one of these #90 locomotives! Take away all the electronics and BS fake bells and whistles and you have what? A $200 to 300 dollar POS which is nearly impossible to swallow for what it is! Its definitely no 700E rip-off reproduction that is nothing more than riding on the coat tails of your brands legacy. Sorry, but by basically adding some cheap garbage Chinese electronics to run on DC vs AC is so not worth the price here for what you're receiving for your hard earned money!!! When they drop below $300, maybe people will begin to pretend to be interested in these over priced pieces. If you want brass? Buy a official older Williams brass locomotive and tender. Unfortunately now Lionel now owns Williams as well as K-line, Marx and American Flyer brand names. Cant beat em? Buy em! SMFH! Sad, sad, sad! Riding on them coat tails rather than making a break for something completely fresh and unique. Unfortunately this locomotive is a fairly unique version not made much beforehand, the unfortunate part is that Lionels multi conglomerate corporation has produced these things today. Its nothing even remotely similar to the original parent company of Lionel and the point of Joshua's dream of making a great quality toy, that was robust, yet amazing attention to detail and yet still somehow made affordable. Today? Its only about the Brand-names. And what kind of garbage they can quickly and cheaply pan off to the public as new releases from Lionel. Most these things are technically recycled products from one of the companies that were involved in becoming this commercialized version of the former glory of the original parent company! Its a disgrace. They'll never build such high quality items like this ever again, like the originals. Pre and posts war up to barely the mid to late 1950s before lionel was just beginning to show signs of fracturing. Starting in the early 50s as they are becoming more and more famous, the quality and amazing quality was already on its way slipping out the door! By making reproductions and depending upon your dedicated or loyal customers you keep reproducing stuff like the 700 Hudson that this newer version of Lionel has absolutely ZERO interest or investments in. To engineer and design a working model isnt cheap sh1t! To reproduce it and add a simplistic if not crude sound board and a Bluetooth receiver for remote control purposes is not worth the money they're dreaming of getting for these products today! We as collectors are being raped by this corporation that we once called the Great Lionel!!!
I quit buying Lionel over 2 years ago because of no quality. I'm moving into H O. They have a standardized control system and you seldom hear of any problems with it.
Fr the guy in the vid has no clue what he talking about. I feel like these people are just tryna troll or smth
I am sorry, but if you spend $2000 on a scale locomotive, that still runs on awful, looking three rail track…
To each their own; O scale fans often don't mind the third rail, it's more of a preference for the size of the models. And for those who do, there are guides online to converting Lionel models to 2 rail O scale operation, and many MTH Premier models can run on 2 rail out of the box.
As a 3-railer, we focus more on the models themselves than the track. The 3rd rail doesn't phase me at all.
@@dynamoscale Yeah, I'm fully aware. I did 3R for decades. Once they started with scale models I was hooked. The problem is that the track didn't improve, and a scale model looks horrible on 3R track to me. So, they actually drove me out of 3R O scale. Ironically Lionel could make a 2R Hi-rail track system and their electronics would work just fine, but they won't do it because none of their customers demand it. 2R O is a different animal all together. The space requirements and product availability are vastly different than 3R. I've done 2R for the past 15 years... I'm tired of fighting with these issues in O and S so I'm going to HO or N now where they have higher expectations and standards.
Please direct more light on your subjects. Very hard to see.
It isn't my layout, not my lighting. When I get my studio done and have proper lighting, and DaVinci Resolve fixes the waveforms on the color management tab, I'll have better lighting.