2017 lionel ready to run

We won't know until the fat lady sings, Paige.   BTW, there are certainly starter sets with diesel locos from the last several years that will fit your bill! 

We won't know until the fat lady sings, Paige.   BTW, there are certainly starter sets with diesel locos from the last several years that will fit your bill! 

Paigetrain, I don't know what you're waiting for. The ready-to-run catalog will be a lot like its past counterparts. Based upon your posts of the past year, it seems like you keep hoping for something amazingly different than what has been already released.

I know you've said you have very limited funds. So you probably are going to have to consider alternatives than brand-new items from a catalog anyway.

Start shopping now. Use the sales offered by forum sponsors. Check various online dealers using Google searches, Amazon and eBay. But mostly, get going. You're never going to get back into O gauge by wishing for something that, frankly, hasn't already been made in the past 100 years.

If I was looking for a RTR set I would be looking at MTH, they have made lots of modern diesel sets and they come DCS ready and can be upgraded later, if you get a Lionel RTR set it will probable be a Lion Chief and can't be upgraded later.

"f you get a Lionel RTR set it will probable be a Lion Chief and can't be upgraded later"

Not sure it needs upgrading.  A LionChief loco from any current or future Lionel set is controllable using the remote that comes with the set, the new universal three loco controller or likely with any future Bluetooth control on any conventional, Legacy/TMCC or DCS equipped layout.  It will operate in command mode, with control of speed, direction, sound, etc.  And cost $100-150 less than many other sets on the market in many cases.  And no need for upgrades or additional purchases to have independent control of the loco when additional locos are purchased.

My train book posted:

If I was looking for a RTR set I would be looking at MTH, they have made lots of modern diesel sets...

As a big Lionel TMCC/Legacy fan and user, I 2nd this remark.  If you want an inexpensive starter set that's good detail and build quality, MTH is the name of the game now that Lionel has gone to LC.

sinclair posted:

As a big Lionel TMCC/Legacy fan and user, I 2nd this remark.  If you want an inexpensive starter set that's good detail and build quality, MTH is the name of the game now that Lionel has gone to LC.

I would disagree.  As much as I like MTH's starter sets being DCS and as I mature my RR they can come along, Lionel starter sets sell like no tomorrow.  For someone just putting a train under a tree or as a toy Lionel can't be beat.

For folks "getting into the hobby" MTH is definitely a better path.  I wish Lionel had made LC and LC+ TMCC compatible so they too could be useful engines.  While it's true LC and LC+ can be used on a TMCC/Legacy layout, the fact that they are not directly controllable is limiting.  Of course that's just my opinion.  Many folks are just fine as they are.

" If you want an inexpensive starter set that's good detail and build quality, MTH is the name of the game now that Lionel has gone to LC."

No one would argue that MTH starter sets reflect, on average, higher quality rolling stock and locomotives than, in particular, the less expensive LionChief starter sets.  They also have the advantage that if you remain in the hobby, and choose to spring for $300 for DCS, they function like any other MTH PS3 loco in command mode.  The only advantage in quality Lionel sets have is that Fastrack is, in my view, a superior track system for the beginner and down the road (command control switches are available, for example, which is not true of the corresponding MTH track line).

However, MTH sets are not inexpensive.  A typical LionChief low end set can be had for as little as $100 or less in post-Christmas sales, and many sets are under $200 all year long.  Most MTH starter sets with PS3 command locos are in the $300 and up range, so that's a substantial price differential, particularly for a new hobbyist who isn't sure what he or she will be doing in the future. 

In addition, the LionChief locos from a beginner's set will operate as a command loco on any conventional or TMCC/Legacy/DCS command layout, without additional expense.   No need for the $300 additional investment in DCS or Legacy. The upfront investment to control two locos independently on a loop or layout is about $200-400 with LionChief/LionChief Plus versus about $600-800 with MTH RailKing PS3 locos and starter sets.  That's a major difference in cost for, in my view,  a relatively modest increase in quality and functionality for the beginner.

If you go back to the original question ( I hope there's a good modern era freight set in there) I don't see Lionel coming out with a modern era freight set in Lioncheif.

The Notch 6 podcast today had a mention of a Mickey Mouse set with ears and a tail on the caboose.  There was mention of a Bluetooth controller option. Also there was a CSX intermodal set. The whole podcast was about this catalog that has not been posted yet. A bit strange.