Any Lionel Vision Niagara Sightings?

Blackened rods look great; the silver smokebox is a shock. The NYC did use graphite on their locos - and this graphite/oil mix (more durable than paint; the hottest outside surfaces of a steamer are firebox and smokebox) can vary from light (not NYC-typical) to essentially black.

Per Know Thy Niagaras, the last few were apparently produced with essentially black smokeboxes.

I skirted the issue - I got the Pilot version. I should open it, I guess....

Why the Pilot? Well, I just like 'em; loco jewelry; the modeler in me gets inspired by all that stuff. I do intend to dirty up my recently ERR-upgraded MTH Niagara. When my shop gets back in operation.

I expect to get my call probably next week or the week after. Seems that my orders tend to be a week or two after the first sightings.

Well, the Niagara's have arrived.  There is no hoax about it, as I have looked at mine for an hour or so.

I also own the CC2 Niagara.  Was thinking of double heading them, but they are big locos, and you would need a big layout.  I wonder if prototypically, they were ever double headed.

I have a comment about these, even though I bought 6013.  When the CC2 engines were released, we were told as CC2 members that they (any CC2) engine would never be re-released.  So much for that I guess.

Besides BTO being a major pain, I have another comment on these engines, that Lionel has been releasing under the new CEO.  Almost 100% of these engines were designed, built, sold, and AMORTIZED while Dick Maddox and Bill Bracy ran Lionel.  Yet Lionel charges us huge dollars for a these engines.  You could almost buy 2 MTH's from what I have heard.  I don't know if that's true, but I'll throw it out.  Lionel is setting itself up to be a NASCAR store only.   I do recognize that many parts of the new Niagara required retooling, perhaps especially on the inside, but...

In my opinion, knowing that there is about 60% gross profit in these engines, Lionel would make more sales, and more profit if the engine and rolling stock prices were cut in half.  It would be a bold move, but I really think they would more than double sales, besides becoming competitive.  How many more fellows would buy a beautiful Vision Line Engine at a $750.00 price point?  I bet more than double what gets sold now.

I don't get on the boards much, because I'm not allowed to have a layout in my home.  

I suppose I could have split this up under two topics, but is Jon Z. still at Lionel, or was he retired like Mike?  I know, bad choice of words there, my bad.

I should change my signature to "Been here forever, but not heard from much."

Charles ro had them in orange hall all day Thursday 

D500 posted:

Blackened rods look great; the silver smokebox is a shock. The NYC did use graphite on their locos - and this graphite/oil mix (more durable than paint; the hottest outside surfaces of a steamer are firebox and smokebox) can vary from light (not NYC-typical) to essentially black.

Per Know Thy Niagaras, the last few were apparently produced with essentially black smokeboxes.

I skirted the issue - I got the Pilot version. I should open it, I guess....

Why the Pilot? Well, I just like 'em; loco jewelry; the modeler in me gets inspired by all that stuff. I do intend to dirty up my recently ERR-upgraded MTH Niagara. When my shop gets back in operation.

Hi D500; the Pilot version?? Are you referring to the grey version - 6-85267?

Scrapiron Scher posted:

John and Skip,

I know there are legitimate questions about smokebox color but I love the silver smokebox and the blackened rods, too. I have not run the Beast more than a few feet, but my initial impression is that this may very well be a historic issue.

I have two Vision GG-1's and had serious issues with three others I sent back. I am now running my JLC Green five stripe and I love it. I also run the Vision PC GG-1 and I am very happy with it. 

Scrappy

 

I just wish they would deliver it as advertised and not change the colors. A dark graphite smoke box and boiler front, as in the catalog, was what I was expecting.