2014 Tinplate catalogue has arrived

OK... I'll admit I fell for it.  

David

Majority of folks who click on this post....probably will want to open a can of you know what on you.  You'll only be disappointed if you have any expectation for new products... Save yourself..Be ready for more repaints.

Sunrise

Never say never but this next catalogue will help decide much about my future tin purchases.  The 2013 LCT offerings were -- to put it mildly -- highly disappointing. Unfortunately I agree with others that we're not likely to see much new product in 2014.  

My advice is to put this stuff in boxes that only say "Lionel Corporation" and completely avoids the MTH logos and stuff. Sell it on the Lionel website as well as the MTH website.  Sell it through Lionel dealers, and MTH dealers who also carry Lionel. Keep the imaginary "purity" of the Lionel brand name. I'd guess it would likely increase sales 20-50% with that combination of changes.  Whether one approves or not, or thinks it's rational or not,  many Lionel fans will not buy anything with the MTH logo on it.

The "Lionel Corporation Tinplate" packaging does not have any MTH logos. In fact, it's a reproduction of the old Lionel pre-war style. 

Granted, this modern tinplate stuff is a result of the collaboration between Lionel and MTH, but the packaging is very Lionel-centric.

MTH producing tinplate with the Lionel name was part of the MTH/Lionel settlement.  MTH is pretty much calling the shots for the most part in this line. So... Lionel is basically licensing the name to MTH.

Sunrise

I have never heard this before.  The licensing agreement was recently extended.  I don't think such an extension would have anything to do with the settlement.  Last weekend I was told by Matt Ashba and the guy from MTH  that the agreement has been extended because it has been beneficial to both parties.

Jeff Davis

I hope MTH might consider making a line of tinplate, similar to the old MARX line.

These sets could attract new people to MTH tinplate at a modest price.

Thanks,

Phil    

Marty and Trainman713,

Query the discussions "Explaination Please" and "Did they kiss and make up" on this very forum. 

Sunrise

I have heard this before and it would not surprize me if it was made up right here on this forum. No one really knows except Mike Wolf and the heads of Lionel.

Agree with Jeff. The lawsuit and settlement are old news. What I am interested in is that the two parties have extended the agreement to jointly produce tinplate. As mentioned before,  just hope we some cool "new stuff" in the 2014 catalogue.

Hmmmm....I did not know anyone was making new tinplate - I guess I don't get out enough.  In any case, why is the traditional rig the same price as the Proto 2 and 3 stuff?  Seems odd.....

Nope!  Not true!  The current licensing arrangement has nothing to do with any past legal actions.

Thanks, Steve.  That makes sense.  Any bets on which one will still be running in 50 years or so?  

!!!!!IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!! Its almost June and it's still a, "weak kneed" moment.

Everyone knows that I'm a dedicated 100% made in the USA prewar type of a guy. In spite of all my nastiness and down right bad attitude the LCT catalog gives me that "warm and fuzzy" feeling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Yay!  And only 2 days before preorders are due!

OK... What am I missing here?  

This catalog was released weeks ago.  Why resurrect this thread now?  

And here I thought MTH had released their new Tinplate Traditions catalog that was mentioned at York last month.

David

WELL DAVID! It finally made it to the left coast.

                                      I GIVE UP

I'm gonna take a chance and pass in hopes the Tinplate Traditions catalog becomes more than talk.

Steve

Hint... hint... there's this thing called the Internet... you know, the same place where the OGR Forum lives, and we can often see the online catalogs on websites even though the physical catalogs may not have arrived at your LHS yet. 

Seriously though... I think Steve "Papa" Eastman has it right.  Aside from the MTH Ives brochure where I ordered the National Limited train (something I was hoping to see since joining the Standard Gauge ranks very recently), I passed on pre-ordering from the 2014 LCT catalog for now.  Would be interested to see if MTH does resurrect their Tinplate Traditions catalog again and what direction they take it.

David

Who's the best to pre-order from? I haven't bought any MTH repros for some time now. I mainly go with originals. And now, original tinplate is cheaper than the repros, and I'd much rather have an antique train than a repro. that being said, I want to order just the 1 extra giant brown states car. I can't buy that original! I just want 1 giant States car to look at. Who should I call?

David,

I understand your logic. Please try to understand mine. The computer has become a necessary evil in our lives. The same holds true for cell phones. I prefer to hold and read the catalog. There are those in the world who would rather read a book than watch television. It's a matter of choice. 

I just got my catalogues Friday,,and your correct ,pappy,,nothing like holding that in your hand,,,!!

Picked up my hard copy yesterday, and got the Ives/Dorfan catalog today. Much rather have it in my hand.

Steve

Steve,

Read your post about the costs to produce Tinplate with can motors and new electronics versus open frame motors and mechanical e units.  My sources tell me you are right on the money!

Ed Boyle