Check Out the 2024 Lionel Volume 1 Catalog!

@MrMuffin'sTrains has posted a YouTube video talking about his Lionel 2024 volume 1 custom runs.

Great that Steve (sporting his Wolfman look-alike hairdo custom run) does these custom runs. Always interesting to hear about.

Always happy to see 1225 but no other Pere Marquette anything? Other Berks? Rolling stock? Northeastern style cabooses? Passenger cars? Nothing?

4 NKP Berks. 2 are new road numbers.
Also odd to include a passenger fantasy paint job for the 777 and have no passenger cars to match.

Does Lionel no longer have the tooling for buckeye trucks? The last production run had the incorrect tooling.

I see an O'Leary Cow in my future.  It will add to my American Flyer "Cow on the Track" accessory and KBL Moose Pond Creamery.  I just need Menards "Alien Cow Abduction".  I should have bought the Menards "Cow" when it was available

I find the Bob Ross water tower highly intriguing for some reason.

Well, in the wishlist thread I asked for southeastern road name Lion chief steamers, so I'm definitely getting an L&N baby berk. I thought the 675 tooling was long gone so might go for the PRR version. Ill add to the chorus regarding the Metro North Genesis. I'm awfully tempted but need passenger cars. 2400 series cars in grey with the blue stripe will do fine.

Yes, the ATSF FT Dummy unit, so glad they got to that, I'll gladly pick that up! 

Overall, I like what I see, and have a few pieces in mind.

A tad disappointed that they did not add anything to last year's Fezziwig Railway. There was a lot of buzz on those pieces, thought they would follow up.

I like how all the Polar Express Coaches are different colors. It adds mystery…You don’t know what you’re gonna get

It looks like none of the legacy polar berks have Bluetooth. The last run had BT... Why remove it? Also am I wrong or is Billy's house a new addition? I haven't seen that before.

Cool catalog, covering a wide range of interests. I only buy scale stuff,  but last year’s Looney Tunes train almost had me stray into traditional. But now I can have a little fun and slip a scale ACME car into my consist. The scale AEC set has my attention too, so I’m liking the idea of mixing scale with a little whimsy.

@ZenGardenRails posted:

It looks like none of the legacy polar berks have Bluetooth. The last run had BT... Why remove it? Also am I wrong or is Billy's house a new addition? I haven't seen that before.

Bluetooth is a standard Legacy steam engine feature (catalog pages 14-15), all of the PE Berkshire engines have Bluetooth.

@GregM posted:

Bluetooth is a standard Legacy steam engine feature (catalog pages 14-15), all of the PE Berkshire engines have Bluetooth.

Thanks Greg for clearing that up for me. I didn't see the Bluetooth symbol which was all over it the last time it was in a catalog. Nice to see it's a standard feature

Looks like Lionel got the spelling correct for their Christmas train car 'Yule Tide' although it should be one word instead of 2. Last year's 'YUELTIDE 'was a big disappointment.

I guess it's January 1969 over again,  railroads couldn't purchase a brand new ALCO diesel and Lionel doesn't offer one either. (ALCO  ceased operation 55 years ago this month.)

I have mixed feelings about the catalog. The Polar Express "red" Berkshire appears funny-looking = el cheapo to me, and I am bit disappointed this is Lionel's answer to the 20th anniversary of the movie. The Plasma-coated blue Berk on the other hand is more striking though only available on the Lionel store. I am of the opinion Lionel is releasing multiple PE Berks in funny colors in lieu of making an upgraded Berkshire with animated effects both in the engine and the cars. The latter would've made a real classic 20th anniversary set, though it would've involved new tooling and some complicated engineering.

As far as Christmas trains in the catalog go, the "Reindeer Road" streamlined 4-4-2 and 18" aluminum cars "steal the show." I'll likely just order the cars and let my 10th anniversary PE Berk pull them

@Grampstrains posted:

Do you mean the 2400 series cars?  It's Yule Time.

Sorry, it's hard to read that small print for me.

On another note,  it would have been great if the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha beaver tail observation was offered as a single car sale. Could have been a nice addition to previous Hiawatha sets, if the colors matched.

@GregM posted:

Interesting that no one has mentioned the “OPTIONAL FIXED FRONT PILOT” feature on the E6 ‘A’ engines.  Has this been offered previously and I just didn’t know about it?  

I think that is new, at least for E series locomotives.  Also, E6 B-units are new.  Lionel had only offered B-units for the E7 previously.

Is the Sherman tank on the flat car die cast or plastic?  

@TheRambles posted:

I like how all the Polar Express Coaches are different colors. It adds mystery…You don’t know what you’re gonna get

Knowing lionel, they will all be different colors.

Couple questions- Did the H-7 portrayed in RF&P show up there with the Vandy tender or a standard one?

Does anyone have a link to photo/photos of the B&O engine portrayed in the Royal Blue Line livery? I can't find a B&O 1315. Trying to determine how close that NYC tooling was to the B&O counterpart

will the 675 tooling be diecast? it doesn't matter to me but i know it does to some folks. it doesn't say diecast though. is anyone even considering this engine or any of the other liveries I really want these 675 type engines to be made again. seeing this thing makes me think of being at my character Fenix Starr's house on the carpet in her parlor running her dad's 675 that Fenix Starr gives to me in Allegheny City Stories.

The Freight car Sounds PS-1 40' boxcars are being produced in schemes never before produced, but they are only available with sounds.

It would be great to also have a regular version of the PS-1 40' boxcars.

The freight car sounds boxcars are missing the option for circuit boards and switches so the sounds are operated conventionally or through TrainMaster Command control.

Andrew

The O scale PS-2 2-BAY covered hopper was not offered in the SOO LINE original 1955 scheme or a SOO LINE 1970's scheme in this catalog.

The CA-1 Cabooses need to be made in a SOO LINE scheme since they are similar to some of the wood cabooses the SOO had.

Andrew

Assuming the #675 will be die cast, although built with all-new tooling.  Assume that the assembly and disassembly will be simpler, and that it will contain a can motor.  Also looks like a huge gap between engine and tender.

Jon

Well, I have to admit I'm rather surprised, and delighted, at how nice this catalog is!  This is the list of items I really find interesting and hope to be able to get if money were no object.  

Milwaukee Road 4-4-2 Hiawatha #4 - My gosh, the catalog picture looks beautiful!  And I have some nice Golden Gate Depot Heavyweight cars to run behind the Atlantic.  What can I say?

Conrail GP9 #7020

Reading SD45 #7601 & #7603 - I like the extended control stand cab.

Burlington AB E5 - I like that it's CB&Q but hoped they would be plated to better match the K-Line California Zephyr cars and I hoped for E7s or E8's.  Still need to do some research on the Burlington Northern E8 set in relation to the California Zephyr that Mr. Muffin is offering from Atlas O.

Conrail U28C #6521
Penn Central U28C #6526 - Probably one or the other between Penn Central and Conrail. I could mate either with the Lionel PRR U28C offered in 2012. (The ones that were blown out by dealers because the there were two PRR logos on one side of the engine but none on the other side)

CB&Q PS-1 FreightSounds Box Car #17302

Conrail PS-2 Covered Hopper #877045

A&P Woodside Reefer #12000 & #12021 - Growing up we had an A&P Supermarket in the neighborhood.  I stopped in there on hot afternoons many times for a cold drink or two after playing baseball. 

Milwaukee Road 2 Bay AAR Hopper 3 Packs
Erie 2 Bay AAR Hopper 3 Packs - The Erie cars would go with my MTH Triplex.

The Polar Express: - I never had a desire to get Polar Express trains.  I loved the movie, I love that Lionel has made them in different scales and add on items. But I never had the desire to own one, as beautiful as the scale set is. I couldn't help it.  I was paging through the catalog, the lights were dim, the Christmas tree and decoration lights were on, the cars and locomotive were scale sized and we recently watch the movie on DVD.  I was helpless.  I was overtaken by nostalgia and the fact that these were scale cars and a scale Legacy Berkshire.  What was I supposed to do??!!  And the passenger cars have people in them!

Legacy Berkshire #1225
20TH Anniversary Coach
Abandoned Toy Car
Baggage Car
Coach (2)
Combine
Diner
Observation car (White Roof)
Pullman Car “Believe” (White Roof) - Still Available
Pullman Car “North Pole” (White Roof) - Still Available

Christmas Hot Chocolate Thermos Car - Still Available - My wife likes this silly thing so I'll add it to the Christmas car consist.

Station Lights 3 Pack (4) - These lights will be perfect for the commuter train station I want to build for the layout.  I like the fancy curved top that holds the lamp.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, now the reality.  Total catalog cost of all of these items - $10,560 Looks like I'll have to start a "Go Fund Me" page, knock off a bank or look for a rich uncle!!  And all this is after the other trains I have my eye on need to be secured.  No, I'm not addicted, not at all, nope!  I'm just dedicated to the hobby.

Some sudden thought and second thoughts about the catalog:

*I'm sorry, but that Bob Ross water tower is just creepy!  The rest of those items are ok. My Grandmother watched his show on PBS every Saturday afternoon.
*How can Lionel make Mister Roger's Neighborhood items without making the trolly!!?? (or did they do that before?)
*I wonder when the tipping point will be with the prices of not only Lionel trains but all of the O gauge importer Universe? Especially the BTO model.
*I listed a couple steam locomotives.  I'm not worried as much about color variations as long as it's not egregious.  In the real world weather reeked havoc on equipment. But I am afraid, terrified even, of the mechanical, electronic and loose parts problems with Lionel steam engines.  Faulty gear boxes, going on since at least 2011, broken items in the boxes and failures right at start up have me worried because of the price of these things.  They may be toys but they are not throw away items at $1500 or more each.  I haven't run my Strasburg #90 yet but if I have any problems I mention or anything else wrong that makes operating difficult or impossible it'll be difficult to preorder in the future.
*I've been thinking about those personalized cars.  Might be neat for remembering family past and present.

*Ok, who will admit to buying any of the Barbie items?! 

I know there will be concern on the PE colors especially for those that will be buying the newly tooled observation cars to replace the previously issued ones.  I really hope they put the extra effort in to ensure they'll be a close match.  I am going to be pre-ordering one so I am taking that leap of faith.  I really think they know that this has to be right and to be honest, the passenger cars always seemed to match well so I am not as concerned.

I have to deep dive the catalog this weekend as we are finally wrapping up a 8 month long project that should have taken about 12-14 months but there are those pesky delivery schedules that must be met regardless of countless delays.

Prices are too high for a perceived lack of internal build quality and the inevitable future parts shortage.

^ This

The GP9Bs are interesting

Only PRR, PC, CR, and UP had them

I would probably buy half of this catalog, some fantastic pieces, BUT!    What is with all the bright, wild colors?

I am not talking the fantasy stuff.

The Hiawatha set would probably be the #1 seller out of this catalog even over the Polar express, but the engine colors?  What's happening, is it just me?

The Hiawatha never had white anywhere on it.   It had a very famous marron for the wheels and side stripes. 

Looking up maroon in the dictionary.  "Maroon is a brownish crimson color that takes its name from the French word marron, or chestnut. "

When I saw 18" aluminum passenger cars with interiors and figures I was so happy (they are my favorite).  The cars colors look correct, but the engine colors don't match!  Look at the roof of the cars compared to the tender top.

Are we over the days of scale accurate real colors for real trains that existed (again not fantasy colors which are fine to make)?

Lionel's Maroon looks like wild pink/purple.   Same thing on the Polar Express.

Remember they made this set in TMCC & Standard gauge, and they were stunning!

I am a huge Lionel fan, I have probably over $100,000 of their products on my walls, but these colors are way off.

Am I expecting too much anymore?

Sean, I thought the exact same thing. That’s why I’m just going to buy the fantasy scheme AEC set.  When they did the S-3 in the Hiawatha colors, the actual color was white. So it’s a good probability that it will be white in this model also. The orange on the S-3 was also off; more yellow than orange.  Not worth wondering if the colors will be right for the prototypical stuff.

I’m waiting for a custom run of the Polar Express scale RPO and new Observation that guarantee match the 10year anniversary colors. from @MrMuffin'sTrains.  I say custom because I see the RPOs are still for sale.  I haven’t found anyone who will commit that if I purchase new they will match. I was told they are still WRONG but Lionel might be able to swap the shells if they still have the replacement available.  But no one knows. So nothing for me until someone at Lionel makes some commitment to color accuracy and crisp return policy. It’s too expensive to guess today.  
And their recent history is abysmal.

The C&O Berkshire has the headlight in the correct spot now?

That looks good.

Happy to see lionel add ditch lights to the SD45! Definitely picking up on of the SPs.

@VADarthDad posted:

I’m waiting for a custom run of the Polar Express scale RPO and new Observation that guarantee match the 10year anniversary colors. from @MrMuffin'sTrains.  I say custom because I see the RPOs are still for sale.  I haven’t found anyone who will commit that if I purchase new they will match. I was told they are still WRONG but Lionel might be able to swap the shells if they still have the replacement available.  But no one knows. So nothing for me until someone at Lionel makes some commitment to color accuracy and crisp return policy. It’s too expensive to guess today.  
And their recent history is abysmal.

Darth, Lionel did a swap on the RPOs. I preordered and received the original one that was way too light blue (black roof model). It took over a year, but they built replacements. Once they arrived, I got an RA (with free shipping) and sent the old one back and it was replaced within a week. I don’t think it was a shell swap, but rather an all new car. They put them back in the catalog at the time, so they did a complete new run of them.  The new ones match nicely to the passenger cars (at least the black roofs do - I’ve never seen the white roof cars). I assume (probably not smart) that everything for sale now is the corrected model. For what it’s worth, it’s a very nice car.

Have your dealer snap a pic of it next to one of the sleeper cars that are still in stock everywhere. They were right (and are also very nice). If the RPO matches the sleeper, you are good to go.

"Ok, who will admit to buying any of the Barbie items?!  "

I would, but the headlights are not exactly in the right place and the pink is way off from the prototype .

I am not big on Christmas themed trains, but that Sleigh Bell Limited sure is a sweet looking set.

what is the "still available" section mean?  Prices where?

I wondered about this too. I didn’t see any information about this in the catalog.

@ncdave posted:

I wondered about this too. I didn’t see any information about this in the catalog.

You could pose this question on the Ryan and Dave show this afternoon.

Nice catalog - just happy we still have all this available to us

I am looking forward to seeing / hearing all the YouTube / podcast shows that usually answer some initial questions

For me so far - the Legacy PRR GP9 7025 and superbass GP9 B-unit - pre-order prices seem fair

Hopefully get a chance to “study” the catalog over the weekend

Thx

Joe S

Also - That Nickle Plate fantasy berk looks awesome 😊🤔 / Reading SD45 👍🏼

https://ogrforum.com/...8#183029866830340698

Unless it is painted black it's going to be painted wrong.  I think anyone who buys anything of color expecting it to be painted correctly is incredibly naïve.  If it's black it's correct, outside of that good luck!