I have a few thousand hours in the 727 and a few patterns in the Tu-154. They handled similarly. The -154 was a bit larger airplane as I remember and the pattern work we did was at a relatively light gross weight but acceleration was very good in the -154. Neither aircraft could be called light on the controls.

The -154M is about the only version still in service and it is relegated to many second or third tier carriers.

Note the -154 also uses a six wheel main gear unlike the 727.