2015 Lionel Corporation Tinplate Catalog To Be Released Online August 19th!

Brian,

You make some excellent points.  I would like to add that it really takes 2 people to properly unpack the Brute.  I got help doing mine.  I really think that some damage was probably due to the mass of that engine and that it is articulated.

As for running mine,it is on an upper shelf in my train room and I will probably never move it.  It is in absolutely mint condition.

Norm

I think they paired the Piper to AF President cars not Lionel State cars.

They have another run of the Brown State Baggage car. I still dislike the fact they named it Pennsylvania. They made a Pennsy State Coach already. 

Norm - 

You are correct about the Brute's mass and articulation points.  I would have loved to see MTH perhaps design better packaging for these types of locomotives.  I hope they revise the packaging for the Super 381.  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Interesting to see some of the comments about real roadnames on tinplate.  Seems that defines two entirely different groups in what is already a niche-within-a-niche market:  namely, those who like roadnames, and those who passionately don't.  There's no middle ground.

My only guess is that Mike Wolf is trying to capture a new market of tinplate enthusiasts who have recently "rediscovered" tinplate trains -- coming over from the O-Gauge hi-rail camp.  For these folks, tinplate is different enough to capture the toylike charm of their youth -- yet the roadnames serve as something they can still relate to from their more traditional O-Gauge roots.  In that regard, the 2015 tinplate catalog is right on target... Perhaps even hits the bull's eye.  

We're admittedly a tough audience to please on a good day.  But it seems even more so when looking at a very small niche-within-a-niche market.  I wouldn't wanna be an importer of toy trains today.

David

Originally Posted by Phoebe Snow Route:

And therein lies the reality we're all facing nowadays.  These trains take a TON of space to display and/or run.  O-Gauge can be challenging enough.  But Standard Gauge takes that issue to a whole other level.  Not many folks I know have the dedicated space (i.e. a huge barn) like Carl Pettijohn to do justice for Standard Gauge train operations and display.

Gotta proceed with both eyes wide open -- which is difficult to do sometimes.  The imagination of what we'd like to build needs to be balanced with the practicality of what we CAN build.   

As for the packaging issues... Sounds like you're more comfortable buying from a LHS, where you can unpack and test your purchase before bringing them home.  The challenge there, however, is the BTO nature of this stuff means MTH probably won't have lots of inventory for exchanges, etc...  Definitely tricky territory, but I understand your concerns.

David

Lately, if I've made any tinplate purchases, I've always preordered from Sidetrack Hobbies to pick up my items.  They're relatively close the MTH so I was thinking that the chances of damage to any tinplate items would be minimized.  Then I make the drive from NJ to MD to pick up my stuff.  LOL!

Real railroad names on standard gauge trains or not?  In my experience, starter sets sell. 

A brand new generation of consumers purchasing standard gauge trains doesn't seem to care how the trains are decorated or if they are perfect replicas of vintage trains.

We have sold dozens of starter sets locally to customers that only wants a set for the Christmas tree.  My hopes is that simple standard gauge starter set sparks an interest with the family and they start a new hobby with it.

Standard gauge almost sells itself because it is made of metal.  I have found the average non-hobby consumer seems to believe shiny metal construction is of higher quality than a train set of similar size made of plastic (same goes for O scale!)

I am mighty disappointed there are no new starter sets, although I am not surprised as they would've been featured in the RTR catalog earlier this spring.

I just sold a LCT standard gauge Pennsylvania steam passenger set to a brand new customer down south.  I asked him why he chose that set......his reply simply because he liked the looks of it!

Personally, being interested in history and a life-long model train enthusiast, I prefer the historic accuracy appearance of the reproductions, but with modern conveniences of technology.  The good news is there are enough trains on the market for everyone!

Great people to do business with.  SideTrack Hobbies has pretty much become one of my top "go to" sources for newly produced Standard Gauge tinplate.  

David

I have Standard Gauge and O Gauge.

I find Standard Gauge requires about the same real estate or less than O gauge. The biggest non custom curves in Standard Gauge are 87. O gauge can be purchased 120 and above. The building are undersized. 

Displaying a Standard Gauge set is really easier because they are shorter. Most sets with addon cars are only 4 or 5 cars long. In O-gauge you may have A-B-B-A engines or modern double or triple heading. 15 car freights and 8 car passenger sets are about the norm. Now that takes up real estate.

I have a Brute purchased from E-Bay. The box did not have the steel bar for protection. In spite of this the engine is perfect. IMHO opinion the scratches occurred from end users not handling them properly (which is not easy). 

Nice catalog, too bad the the 256 loco is not a traditional motor type (don't like can motors/electronics and all those bells and whistles).

I know older versions of the 256 were made as a traditional.

Other than that, both the Milwaukee Road and Pensiveness's paint schemes do look good with the cars.

I completely agree with you regarding the 392E.  I think the ongoing discussion about the 400E is because it is so unusual to have a catalog without one.  Mike seems to be thoroughly enamored with the 400E and it seems to be his "go to" loco to fill the pages of every tinplate catalog.

Jeff Davis

I'm guessing the traditional motors did not sell well and tinplate will no longer be available with them.

Jeff Davis

Regarding the Super 381 and packing: The shipping cage does a good job of protecting the Super 381. It's nowhere near as heavy as a Brute, so it isn't as likely to break out if the package takes a hit. However, the lousy quality of metal in the locomotive frame and the hold-down bolts can cause problems. On mine (purchased from an estate), one of the holes in the chassis for the hold-down bolt is stripped out, and the head was twisted off from one of the M4 screws that secures the bolts to the cage. Fortunately the bolts themselves are OK (they are irreplaceable), but I treat them very carefully because they are very soft. I've had other problems with the Super because of soft metal. 

I made this setup with a cardboard box to transport the locomotive to and from the toy train museum for operating sessions. It's much easier to use than the shipping cage, and it protects the unit well in a vehicle. The locomotive is held in place with scrap pieces of 2x4, to keep the couplers from being crushed if it shifts.

Have you guys overlooked the state brown 400e on the inside cover? The chain is unbroken!

Did anyone notice the O gauge transition cars, with one postwar style coupler and one automatic, latch-type coupler? Pretty cool idea.

yes,would like to run those cars with a 2025, sweet

Norm - I am not sure what part of the country you live in? I would hope where ever it is you never ever have an earthquake.

I am in California, and would never consider putting anything that size up high.

JR Junction - I have never had a dealer ask me why on my purchases. Great Idea!! I wish more did this.

David- Al at STH is great!! I am not sure how he sells at the prices he does and offer the great customer service. I like to however spread the wealth when I can, so to speak,and made a purchase from another dealer, who also offered a great price on an LCT item.

I like the plain tinplate rolling stock, but also like the ones with the advertising, and mix them up in my consists. I think it makes the train more interesting. The only thing I hate is seeing a tinplate club or Christmas car with huge date on the side. It takes away from it for me. Maybe they could offer both ways?

JoeG

Some stuff like the Brute and super 381 come bolted on boards. They easily can be bolted to shelves. Every little bit helps.

I would like to see a "Mauch Chunk" named car as it is/was the home of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co., Asa Packer and I think the original LVRR line between there and Easton.  The last LVRR tinplate set from about 5 yrs ago was IMHO a great looker.

Did you read the big bold Orange print above the car.

or the 400E club engine in limited edition colors (60 units)

Jim C,

Did not overlook the tan 400e club edition. Just do not have the $$$ for another 400E.

JoeG

That was actually a carry-over from the offering late last year.  Guess there are still a few remaining. 

David

The Brown 400e was from the last cat. if not the one before.

JoeG,

I am at suburban Pittsburgh-25 miles east,in the woods.  My shelf is fortified.  We do not seem to be in a quake zone,but you never know.

Norm

Hey Southwest Hiawatha - 

Out of plain 'ol curiosity...how do you pick up the *$&%^# thing?

Thanks Southwest!!!  I don't think I would have known where to begin.

I transformed an original Lionel 1930's 1835e into a Polar Express (yeah, I know... it's not an authentic 2-8-4)  but the kids love it pulling modified G gauge Polar Express passenger cars on our 5 rail tinplate (Standard and O gauge) modular track layout.

With a bit of help, I installed a loud Lionel whistle in the 1835w tender.
It looks and sounds fantastic.

I placed a "1225" label on the locomotive and "Polar Express" logo on the tender.

To my knowledge, this is the only Standard gauge "Polar Express" train in existence.

.

and the pictures of this transformation ???

Here's our pre-order program (click on attachment).......Thank you for your business!

Whoa!!!  I'm surprised just about all these new items are scheduled for 2015 delivery!!!    Very much a double-edged sword. But overall it's bad news for me, given the other big ticket items I'm already expecting in that general timeframe.  For that reason, there's very little if anything I can pre-order from this catalog.  It's gonna be Spring 2016 (at the earliest) before I can take delivery of any newly catalog'd big-ticket items. Anything sooner than that is an automatic, "Thank you, but I'll pass."

I can't recall a catalog where so many big-ticket items are scheduled for delivery all at once.  What is MTH thinking here?    It took them forever to publish the 2015 LCT catalog, and now they're gonna deliver everything by year-end?  Makes no sense whatsoever. 

With only so many $$$$ to go around, the importers need to re-think the importance of carefully announcing new product and quoting accurate delivery timeframes, so folks can plan out their orders and have funds available when items hit the streets.  Nowadays its just too darn easy to spend $5K, and that doesn't even fill up the storage compartment of most SUV's.  

David

David.

That is most intersting (the 2015 delivery dates).  I tend to doubt that those will be met.  MTH would have already contracted for production in order to meet those dates, and the catalog just came out.

Anyway, due to money constraints, I'm only going to order a handful of rolling stock pieces.  If money were no object, I'd order the LV and PRR pipers and cars, and the Super 381 PRR for starters.

I really don't even have the money for the rolling stock I want.  So, I'm keeping it to a minimum.

Need Help. I have been unable to view the catalog in either form flip or pdf. Could a kind person please post here or to my e-mail in profile, the pic of the PRR 710 passenger cars. Mil Rd would be nice also. Hope someone will help. Thanks in advance

Larry S

http://mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/catalog_files/2015_tin_v_1/html5/index.html#see if this works

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...v_1/html5/index.html#

Frank,  yes I find this all a bit puzzling.  Up to this point, I thought Standard Gauge tinplate followed somewhat of a BTO-style order process.  But then why did MTH cancel the Standard Gauge subway cars?  I would have thought plenty of dealers would have ordered sufficient quantities -- many even backed by real consumer pre-orders.  Perhaps I'm wrong on that one though, and MTH just didn't get enough dealer orders.

In any case, I would agree that if MTH plans to deliver most of these big-ticket items in the November/December 2015 timeframe, they must already have contracted production quantities with their suppliers.  So perhaps the tinplate market is more of a limited quantity business model -- and not BTO per se.  If that's the case, then perhaps some of the dealers will have some of these nice pieces in stock when I'm more interested in purchasing a few around Spring/Summer 2016. 

David

David,

Where did you find out about the 2015 delivery?  Is it online somewhere?

Bob

Bob, just using the pricelists that a couple of dealers have posted.  Along with their prices, they also indicate the MTH estimated ship-date.  Aside from a couple of items that had a Jan2016 date, all the others had 2015 dates.

David