Disappointing Lionel Generals!

That really contributes to the forum, numbnuts!

 

!!??

 

 

Egad!  Worst case of The Big Head I've ever seen.

 

Pete

SMD4 - don't know why you think I am trying to make this thread into Lionel vs. MTH. Actually I was thinking more of WBB - with their low street prices they are slowly replacing MTH as Lionel number one competitor. Alan what about the derogatory comments about Lou - looks like a personal attack to me.

Well, I went ahead and ordered an MTH "999" instead.  It's of a later period and actually more of the look I most want in a runner, and it has sound. 

Good move Lee, let us know what you think of it when she comes in.

I like these engines.  I checked them out from the box and re wrapped them up since they will be a Christmas gift.  I happen to have a couple of the SMR engines and cars. Of course there is no comparison between the two.  The LCCA versions are cool,but to expect diecast at the offered price is not reasonable.  I feel that I'd get more than my investment back if I put them up for auction.  The LCCA is a fun club that offers a unique toy train to it's members--some collectibility and good play value.  

 

Norm Rish

Silver Lake - Good source of info on the different Lionel General locos:

 

http://local.trainz.com/articles/general.html

So.... the LCCA placed ads in the major magazines, The Lion Roars, and on the internet showing EXACTLY what was to be produced: two "General" type 4-4-0's created with the tooling made in 1959. 

 

They then added copy describing the additional feature these engines would have. 

 

Then somehow, someone decided that these would be completely different engines with completely different features than what was described. 

 

Have I got that right?  Because the engines produced were EXACTLY like that I was expecting.

 

But maybe I read too much...

 

Jon

I have no dog in this fight, but I can see where some folks might not be as aware as others.  You gotta admit that Lou is quite a salesman, and his postings on this forum might get folks to join the club just to buy one of the club's offerings without having seen any club articles. 

 

Jim

       
       
 
Thanks Ed H. That is a very nice article. One that deserves an update including trains added since 2009. The Nutcracker Set. The Rio Grand set, the Coca Cola set(s) and these two LCCA Generals. Also with mentioning is the tooling alteration to the passenger cars starting with the Nutcraker set adding clerstory  bump ups. I think it really improved thier looks.
The only thing I noticed as missing in the articles list is a missing add on mail car to the red passenger set that went with the recent Green WARR General with sound.

Been running my Generals for a few days now with no issues. The General still runs a little faster than the Texas. The pair will be the center of attention on Thanksgiving when all the grandkids take their turn running the trains.

HIGH DAVE, The loco's are ok. Mike regan explains why on the LCCA website.

MR.VIDKIDZ. I have been following this thread. All I know is I have more people sending e-mails to the LCCA saying how happy they are with their generals. What's going on here with this thread is unbelievable.

loco louie 

I'd like to read Mike Regan's message. Where is it located on the LCCA site? I didn't see it.

 

Its a link to a video I believe

Thanks for the link. The video is about the engine's sound. I am looking for Mike's comments about the siderod quartering.
The answer was already given here, but I am curious to see what he wrote.

 

 

THE WEB MASTER was to have posted it last night. i will call him this morning.

thanks for letting me know you didn't see it

what? Hmm, toy trains, trainloon ,loco louie,Pocono mountains, screws in the smoke stack! plastic, metal,rubber room.

 Please forgive me folks for not making sense. Several folks have tried to explain to this member the generals were always plastic and there really were no surprises. Our guy just doesn't seem to understand that these loco's have several improvements compaired to the early models but honestly could someone really believe for the price they would receive 2 diecast metal engines.

happy thanksgiving

loco louie 

Hey Lou, there are some folks in the electric train hobby that you will not be able to reason with. The Great Locomotive Chase steamers are an eye catcher, nice work on bringing those two steamers to the LCCA.

 

Looking forward to the Texas Special set next year.

Maybe Lou's trying to rewrite history?

 

Rusty

3 pages and 6 days, some of them still don't get it. wow

Good lord!  The side rods are not quartered (and never have been) because they always have, and still do, operate the smoke puffer system.  

Lou,

 

You did a GREAT job on the Generals, I know the hard work you placed into the product getting it manufactured with all the improvements.

Again Lou, nice job on the generals and everything else you have done. 

 

some people just don't get it. You can't cure stupid. I have read this thread since the beginning and I can't believe how many people don't understand what they ordered, it is truly amazing. 

Hey Lou,

 

How soon for the boxcars?  How about a three-pack with one smoker.  This would be true to how the actual chase took place.  And ------when can we have the Yonah?  Hey, it would be nice to have some o gauge figures also.

 

KC

 

Jim

 

I really like mine.  Best decorated Lionel plastic Generals I have seen during their more than 50 years of production.

 

Ed Boyle

 

So his expectations were that Lionel's General would be in a similar league as the MTH general when it comes to features that traditionally are expected in O gauge steam engines by and large nowadays, such as rugged die-cast construction.  The General didn't meet his expectations.  Chalk that one up to him simply not knowing the model's production history.  Can't completely fault him; I think it would be foolish for everyone to assume everyone in this hobby has an Encyclopedia knowledge of the Lionel General.

 

Maybe going forward the LLCA and maybe even Lionel should specify the General's plastic body construction in their catalog descriptions for any future releases instead of assuming that everyone already knows.

Well, if you don't like them, put them up for sale here or on wheebay.  You'd be surprised how fast they will go.

 

John

I have several Lionel Generals and my only MTH is the 1997 version with Proto 1 and the Lionel does have better detail bell whistle etc and the MTH did have a oversized tender because of the proto 1. Did MTH make the tender smaller when Proto 2 came out? As far as a headlight lens they would put a oil lamp in for the headlight so a dim warm glow is correct. I also attached a pic of the General in 1864 .

Gene;

I believe the tender was the same on the PS-2 units. PS-2 is not all that much different in space consumption from PS-1.

 

But, You might want to look at the MTH 2013 Vol 1 catalog pages 16 & 17 (18-19 in the online one). Note it and states clearly "Closer to scale" that is not to say the tender is not still oversized.

 

And Boy is that gonna throw fuel on this fire.  Then again, it is twice the price of the LCCA offering.