1st or 2nd release? If so, could you please look on the parts diagram and tell me what the number(s) are for the straight tender side sills? I have two of the 3rd release with the fishbelly sills and want to get some straight ones, and some other parts. Thank you very much in advance.
I have what I believe is a first release. Bought it in March, 2000
If what you’re referring to are the lower “frame” side rails they are part numbers 117 left and 118 right. These include the end stirrups and the cab steps.
Have you done a DCC decoder install on this engine?
Ed
Darn nice engines aren’t they?
LL labels the new 2-8-8-2s as original release. So most of the part #'s should be the same I imagine. I’ll look it up at home if you want later.
Funny thing is I ordered some replacement parts from LL 4 weeks again and I still haven’t got them. 
No, but I want one! Going to a train show this weekend!
underworld
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Mine are all the non-USRA first series. Y-3 rather than Y-2. I don’t really like smokebox mounted air pumps or USRA tenders much. I did put a decoder in one for about 30 minutes just to see what it was like. A Digitrax set up if I remember right. Worked okay, but I went back to my jumper wires and DC without much regret.
I ordered some parts last week and got them this past Tuesday. I bought what I thought was a second release, but it turned out to be third release, and of course it got here Thursday. But, for $150 I guess I can swap the tender frame sills. It’s the undec version, so I have all the fun of swapping around the cylinders and piping and getting the crossheads and everything straight to reassemble everything. I’m going to set the engines out of phase while I’m at it, I think it looks busier in motion that way. I love these engines. When/if QSI releases their systems seperately I may need a loan.
Thanks very much for the help.
I’ve been thinking of buying one and kitbashing it into a UP 2-8-8-0 Bull Moose.
I have a QSI/Sound model on order and it has not yet showed up.
How well do these engines pull without the traction tires?
Mine pull quite well, 25 cars up a 2%, but some folks don’t seem to have the same luck. The new one will do 14 with the boiler shell and cab and a few other pieces off. 
Break in and getting a little wear on the wheels really seems to improve the traction on these in my opinion. The new wheels are slick out of the box.