RE: Reading SD45; Incorrect artwork altogether on Lionel store site as this image does not even reflect the 11" extension of the cab to accommodate the dual cab control. The readingmodeler website has multiple images depicting what appears to be black truck side-frames, black fuel tank, etc., along with the previously mentioned stanchion color, color of lettering, etc.
I sure hope these changes are made as I hope to purchase these.
@SusieQ posted:RE: Reading SD45; Incorrect artwork altogether on Lionel store site as this image does not even reflect the 11" extension of the cab to accommodate the dual cab control. The readingmodeler website has multiple images depicting what appears to be black truck side-frames, black fuel tank, etc., along with the previously mentioned stanchion color, color of lettering, etc.
I sure hope these changes are made as I hope to purchase these.
If these changes are important to you, I would refrain from purchasing this item until you can actually see the locomotive.
I'm definitely getting the Pennsylvania GP9 and superbass, and U28C. Santa fe hot box reefer, Chessie freight sound car, Lionel lines lines N6B wood caboose, Lionel lines and Pennsy 13 inch passenger cars, which look like rail king tooling, I'm also wondering if the lights are leds and flicker free. I'm also seriously considering the Lionel lines engine of the year 4-4-2. I was considering the csx chessie heritage non-powered, but I found out from Mr. Muffin, there is no smoke unit or sound or lights, it's basically a piece of rolling stock.
I was watching the Ryan and Dave show, and they said the prairie set is going to be made for the next several years at least. It will be different engines and rolling stock, each year, the engines are diecast. Since next year is Lionels 125th anniversary, I figure I'll wait to see what they offer.
@Berkshire President posted:If these changes are important to you, I would refrain from purchasing this item until you can actually see the locomotive.
Agreed. Given past disappointments coupled with the current high pricing I make it a point to pull a unit out of the box before I pull my wallet out of my pocket.
@Brian DeFazio posted:Not gonna read back through this whole thread, but has anyone else noticed that the NKP berks have the wrong pilot on them? The C&O berks have the correct pilot for the NKP berks, but the NKP berks are pictured with the Pere Marquette pilot.
Also, the lettering and numbers on the Reading Sd45 should be black, not green, and the handrail stanchions are also the incorrect color. Small details, I know, but ones that should be easy to correct at this point.
If the berks are showing the wrong pilots in the catalog then that means the CAD assemblies are wrong, or at least were at the time of publishing. There were similar details on the Vision SP GS class series from 2020. I noticed certain models had wrong details for the specific class and when I looked back at the catalog images, the models matched what was depicted. The stupid thing is Lionel has all the correct combos of parts and tooling to have done them correctly but since the CAD was off, the models were built per the documentation provided to the factory.
This should be brought to Dave Olsen’s attention ASAP to make sure production drawings amd models get double checked and corrected.
@Brian DeFazio posted:Not gonna read back through this whole thread, but has anyone else noticed that the NKP berks have the wrong pilot on them? The C&O berks have the correct pilot for the NKP berks, but the NKP berks are pictured with the Pere Marquette pilot.
Hello Brian. Your comment made me curious. For what it’s worth, the illustration from the product page on the Lionel website for the current release of NKP #765 is identical to the illustration for the 2014 “Rich Melvin” release of NKP #765 (with the exception of the newly added Mars light). The 2014 release was delivered with a “flatter” pilot relative to the catalog illustration. I have no idea what the right or wrong version of the pilot is, but I suspect the 2024 models will arrive in a similar manner.
As an aside, the 2014 Berks are awesome. One of my favorite locomotives. Hopefully the 2024s are more like the 2014s and less like the 2017s.
@Rider Sandman posted:Hello Brian. Your comment made me curious. For what it’s worth, the illustration from the product page on the Lionel website for the current release of NKP #765 is identical to the illustration for the 2014 “Rich Melvin” release of NKP #765 (with the exception of the newly added Mars light). The 2014 release was delivered fairly faithful to the catalog illustration. I have no idea what the right or wrong version of the pilot is, but I suspect the 2024 models will arrive as illustrated.
As an aside, the 2014 Berks are awesome. One of my favorite locomotives. Hopefully the 2024s are more like the 2014s and less like the 2017s.
Here is what the proper pilot should look like. I took this pic of this Lionel NKP 765 model running on my club's layout this fall. Not sure which year this one was made, but the pilot was proper at this time.
Brian, you are right. I went back an edited my original post. The 2014 model was indeed delivered with the “flatter” pilot despite being illustrated with a more pointed one.
@Rider Sandman posted:Hello Brian. Your comment made me curious. For what it’s worth, the illustration from the product page on the Lionel website for the current release of NKP #765 is identical to the illustration for the 2014 “Rich Melvin” release of NKP #765 (with the exception of the newly added Mars light). The 2014 release was delivered fairly faithful to the catalog illustration. I have no idea what the right or wrong version of the pilot is, but I suspect the 2024 models will arrive as illustrated.
As an aside, the 2014 Berks are awesome. One of my favorite locomotives. Hopefully the 2024s are more like the 2014s and less like the 2017s.
The 2017 release of these Berks was indeed.....hot garbage, IMHO.
I had the 2014 on order through Ro and wound up cancelling the item before it was delivered....which saved me their 15% restocking fee....which I would have fought.
In the 2014 Catalog, 765 is pictured essentially all black....other than the white striping. In 2010, the 765 was issued in Legacy and was all back, as pictured.
So imagine my surprise when the 2014 model had a very grey smokebox and firebox. There was nothing inaccurate about that. It just wasn't delivered as advertised.
I then picked up a Like New 2010 Legacy 765 here on the Forum and its been running strong ever since. No whistle steam but it does have loco specific dialog.....and few repair parts available for it.
Really wanted a 759 in 2017 but the paint on those models is ho-ho-rific......in my opinion.
p.s. - IMHO, Lionel's best looking and most accurate model of a NKP Lima Berk is the 2003 or so TMCC 779. Still have mine and it's a super smooth runner. Smoke sucks and RS is not awesome......but I still enjoy it.
@Brian DeFazio posted:Here is what the proper pilot should look like. I took this pic of this Lionel NKP 765 model running on my club's layout this fall. Not sure which year this one was made, but the pilot was proper at this time.
Looks like the 2014 NKP 765 to me.................
@Berkshire President posted:The 2017 release of these Berks was indeed.....hot garbage, IMHO.
Really wanted a 759 in 2017 but the paint on those models is ho-ho-rific......in my opinion.
p.s. - IMHO, Lionel's best looking and most accurate model of a NKP Lima Berk is the 2003 or so TMCC 779. Still have mine and it's a super smooth runner. Smoke sucks and RS is not awesome......but I still enjoy it.
I returned my 2017 Berk after I saw the auto primer on its nose.
NKP #779 is on my list. If they arrive correctly painted, I’m going to buy the set.
Auto Primer is the perfect way to describe that paint! All you can add is "Made out of Chinesium".......
Definitely the 2014 run - it's pretty much the only run by Lionel with the graphite gray smokebox AND the single headlight boiler front.
Gotta chip in and say the 2014 run is the best version of 765 by Lionel IMHO. No number specific CrewTalk, but it still has Rich in the cab, has whistle smoke, and the sounds are sublime. I also liked that run had the blueprint certificate by the FWHS and the option to change the headlight from single to double with the MARS. I sold mine awhile back when I was in a financial spot, and very much regret it. Everyone I've seen that has one has been very happy with it.
I may buckle down for the 779 set - my favorite Lionel dealer has it for an amazing pre-order price - as well as 1225 for this run because the latter vaporizes off the shelves every time. I haven't seen Lionel mess up the graphite smokebox color in awhile (since 2020 with those pasty gray Ten Wheelers), so hopefully we'll be safe this time around, but that'll be it for this batch of new toys.
I will say it is a very good catalog. There's a lot of great stuff, but at the same time not a whole lot I truly need.
That said, I'd be interested in NKP 755....especially with blackened drivers....but I won't seriously entertain buying it until I see what they wind up looking like.
But I'd still have to overcome the price on these.....keeping in mind I paid $1,650 for my VL UP 3985 a few years back.
When I look at these Legacy Lima Berks, I see an $1,100-$1,200 model.....if it had a Pittman motor.
I can see the paint and pilot design for the upcoming Berkshires is important to many, but I also don’t see anyone CC’ing @Dave Olson or @Conrail6358 on these messages.
Ryan and Dave, if you see this message, please take a look at the NKP Berk offerings in the 2024v1 and address the concerns. Thank you.
The more I look at the catalog...I'm digging the AEC set and the Looney Tunes tunnel paint tank car.
Sunrise
Lionel,
Can we get a 675 LIRR passenger set? Three Tuscan LIRR baby madisons. Engine lettered for a G5 with the Prototypical white Boiler front.
@PRR4876 posted:Lionel,
Can we get a 675 LIRR passenger set? Three Tuscan LIRR baby madisons. Engine lettered for a G5 with the Prototypical white Boiler front.
that would be fire
I almost talked myself into that AEC set. That is really cool but, I just can't justify that purchase. I will be excited to see the reviews and videos later on though. I honestly don't think I will be ordering anything out the this catalog. As much as I love Bob Ross and Mr. Rogers merch, I just wasn't impressed enough to order anything. I was also excited to see some Barbie items but nothing cool enough to get me to spring on it.
Always Vol. 2!
I never thought I would do this again. I have not pre-ordered anything in at least 10 years but for the first time in a long time I'm about to pull the trigger. Can't resist the newly tooled 2-6-2 Prairie style engine in the Pennsylvania livery. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to live with the engine/tender gap. I've always loved my early post-war 675 and have been waiting for a long time for a modern version.
@Mikado 4501 posted:Definitely the 2014 run - it's pretty much the only run by Lionel with the graphite gray smokebox AND the single headlight boiler front.
Gotta chip in and say the 2014 run is the best version of 765 by Lionel IMHO. No number specific CrewTalk, but it still has Rich in the cab, has whistle smoke, and the sounds are sublime. I also liked that run had the blueprint certificate by the FWHS and the option to change the headlight from single to double with the MARS. I sold mine awhile back when I was in a financial spot, and very much regret it. Everyone I've seen that has one has been very happy with it.
I may buckle down for the 779 set - my favorite Lionel dealer has it for an amazing pre-order price - as well as 1225 for this run because the latter vaporizes off the shelves every time. I haven't seen Lionel mess up the graphite smokebox color in awhile (since 2020 with those pasty gray Ten Wheelers), so hopefully we'll be safe this time around, but that'll be it for this batch of new toys.
I will say it is a very good catalog. There's a lot of great stuff, but at the same time not a whole lot I truly need.
Care to share the details on your favorite dealer’s price for the 779 set?
@PRR4876 posted:Lionel,
Can we get a 675 LIRR passenger set? Three Tuscan LIRR baby madisons. Engine lettered for a G5 with the Prototypical white Boiler front.
Sign me up for that!!
For the Burlington & other 21” passenger cars, are these cars made of extruded aluminum or from ABS plastic ?
Thanks in advance !!!
CB&Q Bill
@CBQ_Bill posted:For the Burlington & other 21” passenger cars, are these cars made of extruded aluminum or from ABS plastic ?
Thanks in advance !!!
CB&Q Bill
Plastic.
It's the AEC set with the add-on B unit for me. The O'Leary Dairy car but no Hotbox feature? A missed opportunity at an instant classic!
Still calling my name as well as the new Polar Observation car and 20th Coach!
An fyi in case anyone is wondering, I received a reply from the Lionel store folks, items that are pre-order and available only through the Lionel store require payment immediately. For the blue PE Berk, for example. I have to apply for yet another credit card as my limits are near the limit on all of them!
@Paul Kallus posted:An fyi in case anyone is wondering, I received a reply from the Lionel store folks, items that are pre-order and available only through the Lionel store require payment immediately. For the blue PE Berk, for example. I have to apply for yet another credit card as my limits are near the limit on all of them!
This is an interesting failure point of the BTO model. Unless you want to forgo the price advantage of preordering, you can easily max out a card’s daily purchase limit, or overall limit at these prices!
@Jimz posted:Care to share the details on your favorite dealer’s price for the 779 set?
The Train Station in Mountain Lakes, NJ! Their site should have the preorder price listed.
@Mikado 4501 posted:The Train Station in Mountain Lakes, NJ! Their site should have the preorder price listed.
Thanks!
"Unless you want to forgo the price advantage of preordering, "
Not to mention paying full MSRP well in advance of product delivery. That's a non-starter for me. I understand the need for a deposit perhaps for a custom run like this, but full MSRP? Harsh.
The Polar Vortex has caused me to "like" one of Landsteiner's posts about Big Orange! 
@Paul Kallus posted:An fyi in case anyone is wondering, I received a reply from the Lionel store folks, items that are pre-order and available only through the Lionel store require payment immediately. For the blue PE Berk, for example.
I like both the blue and red versions of the PE Berk, but payment in full up front required pretty much leaves me out of the running unless my spouse Wendy scores on the lottery. 
@Paul Kallus posted:For the blue PE Berk, for example. I have to apply for yet another credit card as my limits are near the limit on all of them!
Boy, I sure hope your joking Paul.
Otherwise, it sounds like you may need an intervention more than a blue Berk.
@Christopher2035 posted:Sign me up for that!!
Yes please! The Sunrise Special Starter set would sell bigly.
Jon 
Note that the only Polar Express Berkshire that is being offered exclusively via the Lionel Store is the blue plasma version; all the others should be available through applicable dealers with the dealers' pre-order pricing and payment policies. If I understand correctly, those of us who want the blue plasma version will have to buy through the Lionel store at full price, because there's no discounts on the store. If I am wrong on that please someone let us know! I am waiting to hear back from Lionel on when the order deadline is for the blue plasma version.
@Paul Kallus posted:An fyi in case anyone is wondering, I received a reply from the Lionel store folks, items that are pre-order and available only through the Lionel store require payment immediately. For the blue PE Berk, for example. I have to apply for yet another credit card as my limits are near the limit on all of them!
Well that stinks, i was going to order the Lionel 2024 train of the year, but i don't want to pay until i receive it. I bought the Dreyfuss one last year, and wasn't billed until it was shipped to me in November. My balance is too high right now for anymore charges to my credit card.
Mm, I wonder why it is different for the PE Berkshire?
@Paul Kallus posted:Mm, I wonder why it is different for the PE Berkshire?
By the time it's delivered to a dissatisfied customer, you are way past the dispute period with your credit card company to get a refund.
OR
Prevents folks from nonpayment/canceling an order when it arrives and now Lionel has to use another avenue to sell it.
@KOOLjock1 posted:The one set that's calling my name (and I never buy sets), is the Prairie set . BUT I'm concerned that the engine-tender gap will be GINORMOUS like on the recent Scout 2-4-2 engine/tender units. Also, to look proper, that caboose should have a centered coupola. They have the tooling, and it's the same price.
Jon
I'm in for the Prairie set, agree it needs a center cupola caboose. Over the years Lionel has made quite a few center cupola Pennsylvania and Lionel Lines cabooses. Looks like the set caboose has the typical construction so swapping a center cupola shell shouldn't be an issue.
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