Asking for forum members support

I could not agree more with Steve on this one, Lionel, please do the yellow stripping. Below is what we are talking about on the E7s.

I believe that the strips add a bit more,"bling" to a rather plain Jane locomotive. Lionel should pay attention to the MKT crowd. I do not think that it would add that much more to the retail cost. 

Just 3 yellow stripes? That is a very simple change. Why not just add them yourself?

Absolutely!  You have my 100% support to purchase yellow striping tape, or yellow Monokote trim to cut to the correct width and apply to the pilot of your MKT E8.

WAIT A MINUTE!  I just remembered I happen to have some yellow Monokote trim I got to apply to the tips of my F6F props.  Gimme a holler and I'll send you some.  Be warned though, you'll need a metal straight edge and a single edge razor blade.  <G>

Pete

I appreciate the idea Rich, but I was thinking of all those who will purchase the MKT E8's, not just myself.  If adding the yellow stripes by Lionel added to the appeal of the locomotives to a potential buyer then it would be in Lionel's best interest to make the change IMHO. 

I really don't want to cheapen a beautiful O gauge model by placing tape on it anyway.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Rich, of course you are correct, and if Lionel chooses not to add them, it would be an easy fix.

But since the model has not gone into production, then why not take care of this at the factory. Just my opinion as the stripes really make this engine look much better.

Steve:

In my e-mail to Mike Reagan, I attached the photo shown above. This photo really makes the point on a Lionel model.

I'd like to see a lot more bling. Let's polish some more stainless. Put a lot of chrome and polished brass AND Whitewalls! (whoops..wrong era ) There's so much we as owners can do. WE can ask Lionel for a healthy start though.

Just in case our friends at Lionel are out to lunch, save yourself the disappointment and buy a sheet of these water slide decals for under $5.00 and do it yourself.

In order to add those stripes, Lionel would need to have a new paint mask made. I don't know what the current costs are.
The TM Book on modern era Lionel (1970-1980) claimed they were rather expensive.

judging from past experiences, I would not rely on the picture in the catalog to be what you actually get anyway

Just 3 yellow stripes? That is a very simple change. Why not just add them yourself?

 

because it ruins the "collectability" of the item.

I think we can all agree that the customer can add the stripes. But the BEST OPTION is for Lionel to do it at the factory.

My reply back from Lionel indicated that, as of that date, pilots would be all red, based on their research on the locomotive.  My research showed the MKT E8's with and without the stripping.  I truly believe the E8's wtih the yellow stripes is an "eye catcher" for those who see the engine.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Well....it appears that we will have to add the stripes....

Alan

The good news is that the stripes appear pretty easy to add.

Passenger Train Collector,

That is a beautiful model of an E7 'Texas Special' locomotive.

Who makes this beauty and is the top of the nose 'White,' or a 'Cream White?'

That is a worthy locomotive to be a proud owner of.

Thank you,

Ralph

RJL:

It is a locomotive manufactured by Lionel. It is part of a boxed set that included four of Lionel's version of the K-Line 21" passenger cars. There was also a two-pack and a Station Sounds Diner that could be added to this set. The top of the nose is painted a light yellow that is very well done.

I posted the photo to demonstrate that Lionel has produced this locomotive in their E series with the yellow stripes applied to the pilot. I cannot understand why they would produce the E8s without the yellow stripes. It make no sense to me. 

Do you honestly think that anything made today will ever become a true collectable?

It is a beauty with its' color scheme, intricate detailing and intricate markings, especially the wording "The Texas Special" and the two road heralds on each side, towards the front.

Good Luck and Enjoy,

Ralph

I have to go with Nick, by the time any of this stuff is collectable, I'll be pushing up daisies, so I really don't take that into consideration.

The point Steve is making is if most of the folks who are planning on buying the new E8s in TS road name would rather have it with stripes, then why not do it at the factory to begin with. To me, that's the only point of concern for this thread.

The taping or collectibiility issues really don't address the thread starters major motivation asking for serious buyers to state their preference.

So I say, let there be stripes. Period!!!! 

I want to thank Brian for his unwavering support and understanding of what I requested in this thread.  Simply I wanted to see if forum members liked the yellow stripping on the to be produced Lionel MKT E8's.....or not. 

Yes, I am attempting to have Lionel place the stripping on the pilots during production.  I was just kindly asking for your support if you like the looks of the stripping on this engine and if not let me know.  I guess it was just too much to ask.

Steve, Lady and Tex

If it were me, I would buy some extra pilots, and decorate those. That way I could quickly return it to 'original' spec if required. 

I think that it would look better with the stripes, but it's probably too late to have that done at the time of manufacture now.

I got nothin' to say to Lionel because I'm not about to order this loco.  Fact is striping the pilot after the fact is almost too easy and it is reversible.  Looks like the manufacturer ain't gonna do it.  Deal with it. 

Pete

Both MKT E8 versions are good looking locomotives.  If I had to pick one, it would be with the 3 yellow stripes.  As others noted adding 3 straight line stripes should not be difficult with either water slide decals, car pinstriping, or possibly self painting.  For those concerned about collectible value, ask Lionel to make extra red painted front pilots for add-on sale.  You can then have both versions at your disposal.

Looks to me that you all seem to have too much time on your hands !