Santa Fe 2343 Slow Speed Operation

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I decided to purchase a set of Santa Fe F3 AA diesels and selected the 2343 diesels based on an article describing the slow speed capabilities of the 2343 AA set in the September 2008 issue of CTT (pg 48). The slower speed of the 2343 F3s is due to the extra gearing of the horizontal motor installation vs the vertical motor installation in the later models (2353 and 2383). I am really impressed by their slow speed operation and very good control of speed throughout the entire speed range. I really think Lionel would do good to gear down their conventional locos in a similar fashion. If Lionel could get good slow speed operation when the 2343 was built, they can do it now.

I have locos with the MTH cruise control and the Odyssey speed control systems. They are fun to run at slow speeds, but it takes absolutely no skill to do so. I think the fine speed adjustment skills necessary to get a conventional loco to run at slow speed add to the fun of running toy trains.

The 2343s almost appear to have cruise control as they march smartly around the layout at any speed above the very slowest speeds. I cannot detect any slowdown at all, even on the curves. They are first class all the way.

Are there any other postwar conventional Lionel locos with good low speed gearing?

Earl

2

Earl,

I’m not too sure of other Post-War smooth running engies, but my father’s Lionel locomotive, which I now have, is a Pre-War steam locomotive #1664E, 2-4-2, it’s an inexpensive, O-27 gauge engine which has a headlight, and a three position E-unit. It does not have a smoke lamp, or a smoke heating element and of course no Magne-Traction for that time period, but the motor is smooth and responsive, especially at slow speeds.

His engine is gun metal grey in color, has green classification jewels, an ornamental bell and whistle and hand rails, one on each side of the boiler. This baby puts a lot of Post-War and Modern, engines to shame with it’s smooth functioning both in forward and reverse, of both O and O-27 gauges and can pull quite a few freight cars.

Though it’s a conventional engine, it operates so smooth that it’s similar to the 2343, which is my son’s and my new TMCC U30C diesel with it’s two Odyssey, fly-wheel momentum motors.

The 2343 and the like with their horizontal motors, were smooth, strong engines.

Enjoy,

Ralph