I really hope Lionel starts updating the website again to include links to both the manual and parts. Seems like they've fallen behind quite a bit lately with newer product from being able to access these 2 items via the website on the product page and in many cases at all.
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I will say I liked MTH website better. Sure hope it stays up somehow.
MTH had far fewer parts on-line than Lionel. I do hope Lionel catches up and gets the newer stuff on-line. I have far less issue finding Lionel part numbers than MTH part numbers. I can't imagine the MTH parts situation getting any better, but Lionel can. 
I've kind of been waiting 5 years or so for the 6-82749 VL GG1 to get on line with pilot parts and it has never happened. I'm not sure I would buy it, but thought about fixing the lack of a hose detail on the rear truck that was an original defect (missing) in mine. It wasn't in the box either. I had the option to send it in, but decided, why risk it?
I can't access it at all now. Theres a security warning: https://www.lionelsupport.com/
( The longer I'm in this hobby. The more I miss the Mike Reagan days at Lionel
)
@CurtisH posted:I will say I liked MTH website better. Sure hope it stays up somehow.
Really, MTH parts search’s sucks, diagrams non existent, manuals sometime there, sometimes not. The only good thing about MTH website is there product locator.
Lionel support site is still there. The certificate just expired. You can still get to it, if you bypass your security warnings about a site an expired security certificate. (Hopefully they'll get their webmaster to get an updated cert. soon, because many people will panic at the tone of the messages displayed by browsers. In this particular case, it's not a fake cert... just one that needs replacing).
Perfect example. I needed a manual for the IRV2s. These have been out for 2 months now if not longer. No manual on-line.
A whole bunch of recent Lionel products haven't made it to the parts listings. It's still easier to find Lionel parts than MTH parts, but neither parts site is a model to emulate.
It seems even some of the older manuals that have been there previously are being purged. Wonder if there is a date where they are taking them off. Wish they wouldn't for historical purposes.
I echo the comments on recent products of last few years not having part listings available. If your going to market and sell the product, part of that is listing manuals and parts. Luckily the products are priced so low, it is understandable to skip steps - oh wait we are paying a premium for Lionel.
Jim
The only thing missing seems to be 
shouting Danger Danger Will Smith !
@Jim Sandman posted:It seems even some of the older manuals that have been there previously are being purged. Wonder if there is a date where they are taking them off. Wish they wouldn't for historical purposes.
......
Not to suggest it isn't so, but do you have an example as to time frame for some removed items?
Reason I ask is I was quite surprised last week when I found a manual for a MPC 6-2324 Switch Tower on the site. That's from around 1984 or so, I never even knew they had put any manuals from that era on the site.
-Dave
Also, many of their "how to" videos don't show up on the Lionel site as they used to. Not sure why they would pull those.
@GVDobler posted:Also, many of their "how to" videos don't show up on the Lionel site as they used to. Not sure why they would pull those.
They're all on YouTube.
MartyE
Yes, although I'm not sure why Lionel quit providing the link to the ones they created.
@Dave45681 posted:Not to suggest it isn't so, but do you have an example as to time frame for some removed items?
Reason I ask is I was quite surprised last week when I found a manual for a MPC 6-2324 Switch Tower on the site. That's from around 1984 or so, I never even knew they had put any manuals from that era on the site.
-Dave
Good question. I'm trying to remember specifically. I recall having a customer I printed out instructions for them, and a couple years later they asked again and I couldn't find it. I'll look through the records and see if I can locate it, as well get the grey matter to recall others.
Jim
@MartyE - if you're still in need of the IRV2 manual, I can scan it for you.
I was rerouted to the alert page, but clicked advance, did a Virus check through ESET, and was sent back to the main page at Lionel, and then when I reclicked the link, always taken directly to Lionel. I have no clue what the alert is, whether spam, phishing, or what but my security seems to be ok after I did all this.
I was also able to find many manuals for very old TMCC engines, try entering the first 2-3 digits of the model number, the only way they come up often is for the first roadname in that series, such as my U33C BN did not come up when I entered the full product number (6-28208) but entering 6-282 The entire lineup of models with those numbers popped up and I found the 6-28207 Lackawana for parts and manual easily.
I'm not sure that anything has been removed. But if Lionel is trying to cut costs and no longer wants to host it (due to storage, bandwidth, etc.), perhaps they would grant license to the TCA or LCCA to maintain a permanent reference archive. This stuff is too valuable to the hobby to just let it disappear.
@ScottV posted:@MartyE - if you're still in need of the IRV2 manual, I can scan it for you.
I’m good. Found a paper copy.
@Jim Sandman posted:It seems even some of the older manuals that have been there previously are being purged. Wonder if there is a date where they are taking them off. Wish they wouldn't for historical purposes.
There is stuff dating way back - doesn't look like they are purging, but I agree there is significant lag time for newer items.
Just some examples of older documents:
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...eman193719421945.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...5009242014142924.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...orSuper019471942.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...gCar192419541964.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...Switcher19551957.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...terTower19471950.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...nualSwitch0Gauge.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ts/69755FTestSet.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...irSuper019571961.pdf
Tried to find the following today: 6-14547 Burlington TMCC E5. Parts listing exists, but no manual available any more.
No E5 manuals, so you can't try to find a similar road name.
Jim
@bmoran4 posted:There is stuff dating way back - doesn't look like they are purging, but I agree there is significant lag time for newer items.
Just some examples of older documents:
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...eman193719421945.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...5009242014142924.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...orSuper019471942.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...gCar192419541964.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...Switcher19551957.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...terTower19471950.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...nualSwitch0Gauge.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ts/69755FTestSet.pdf
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...irSuper019571961.pdf
Wow, there's some interesting stuff here; especially the Hudson instructions...
Mark in Oregon
@Jim Sandman, here is the link to your Burlington manual: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-4521-250.pdf
I think you ran into problems because I don't think Lionel went through the effort to republish/reprint with the E5 language.
Thanks Bmoran4,
Still should be able to find it when you enter the item number or even just E5.
Jim
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