Overall, this is a fantastic model, the sound is fantastic and it is a great hauler. For the price this is more than I ever expected.

Lackawanna modelers now have a three unit set of EMD F3 units painted in DL&Ws passenger scheme. Broadway limited offers them as part of its Paragon 4 series. The units are available as an A/B set numbered 805A and 805B (powered A unit, dummy B unit), and a single A unit numbered 805C. Lackawanna began dieselizing through passenger trains using five three-unit F3 sets. 805 was delivered in December 1947 and originally operated as a single unit. After additional, newer passenger power arrived in the early 1950s, the F3s were broken up into single or two unit sets and units received the "A" "B" and "C" suffixes. The Broadway Limited units are painted as they would have appeared around 1958, with the word "Radio" stenciled below the cab. By that time they were primarily used on secondary passenger trains, the occasional commuter job, and were appearing in freight service. These units represent "phase III" F3s with low roof fans and the A units having two portholes on each side and "chicken wire" screens over the side air intake vents. Appropriate castings on the roofs represent steam boiler vents. The paint jobs are crisp and clear with Lackawanna's distinctive circular striping around the portholes. They run smoothly out of the box. I don't have a device to measure scale speed, but they look like they run well within the 80 MPH Lackawanna passenger speed limit. Their speed tables are set with a momentum, so they don't stop on a dime when the throttle is closed. I haven't been able to confirm, but since the headlights and sound remain on for several seconds after removing them from the track, they may be keep-alive equipped. Right out of the box the sound is set to maximum volume, which is too loud for most applications. Fortunately the well detailed instruction manuals included with each unit states that by pressing F8 twice quickly, the master volume will decrease. Doing this a few times brought the volume down to what I felt was an acceptable level. (After reaching minimum level, continuing to press F8 twice will also increase volume) This sure helps by not having to visit the programming track repeatedly to adjust volume. Something I have yet to resolve: when the number boards light, they also light the class lights. In normal operations, the class lights were not lit. The white class lights on these units indicate an extra train and were lit at night to compliment white flags that would be displayed during the day. Otherwise, these are really fine diesels and will look good powering both passenger and freight consists.

The Delaware, Lackwanna and Western dieselized its main line passenger trains with two deliveries of EMD F3s in 1946 and 1947 respectfully. The latest release from Broadway Limited represents a three-unit set of Phase III F3s delivered in December 1947. The A units had low roof fans and two port holes with "chicken wire" over the carbody vents. The units come in two offerings: an A unit with a dummy B unit numbered 805A and 805B, and a single A unit numbered 805C. The units are painted as they looked after 1958 with the letter suffix after the number and the word "radio" beneath the cab. While originally considered a single locomotive, Lackwanna began splitting up the units for better flexibility with secondary passenger trains and when in freight service in 4 unit sets. The engines run smoothly out of the box and look fabulous in their DL&W Maroon, Gray and Yellow passenger scheme. As with other Broadway Limited locomotives I've received, the sound on this one is set to full volume out of the box. Unless you wishes to operate in a very large room, such as a fairground display hall on a huge modular layout, you may wish to lower the volume to a more sedate level. Another critique is that the same bulb or LED lights both the number boards and class lights. Class lights (in the case of these units white) would only be displayed on an extra or unscheduled train. As is correct with the prototype, the units contain dual headlights, with the main light on the bottom and a mars light on top. Individual functions control headlights, mars light and number boards, so the operator can choose which they wish to use. I've not seen photos of DL&W passenger units using the Mars light. The light unit had both a red and white bulb, with the red bulb activating if the train experienced an emergency brake application to warn passing trains to reduce to restricted speed while passing in case of possible derailed cars that might foul an adjacent track. Broadway Limited has produced a fine example of first generation passenger power and Lackwanna fans will find themselves pleased with this offering.

Nice detail, love the mars light. Like the way you can configure the horn to sound before moving. Runs smooth and having rolling thunder adds to the realism. I purchased this to replace another manufacturer's model.