Hierarchy of Lionel models

I will give it a try. You are correct in as much as Vision Line is their top-of-the-line product offerings. After that price and features and scale verses non-scale will pretty much determine what are premium products from the rest of the line.

I don't pay much attention to the hierarchy of what is in their catalogs. I look for what appeals to me and stay pretty much within the scale products offered.

The way I understand it, top to bottom:

Vision: Top of the line

Standard O: 1/48 scale in size and well detailed

Conventional Classics/Postwar Celebration: reissues based on trains from the late 40's to 60's

Traditional: Mostly under 1/48 size, scale can vary, less detailed but rugged for play value

Rusty

You're right - figuring out Lionel's offerings can be a little confusing. Navigatiing their catalogues can be a real challenge sometimes.

As you've already discovered, Vision Line is their top-shelf offering. I believe Lionel designates their scale items as "Standard" O Scale while their semi-scale, less detailed items are designate as "Traditional" O Scale. There have also been a few offereings over the years with other designations, such as the Joshua Lionel Cohen series which were highly detailed scale models that seem to pre-date the Vision Line, and the LionMaster line, which were less detailed, less expensive models. 

The Lionmaster line is comparable to the Railking Imperial line, higher detail semi scale locomotives.

Just for clarification, some RailKing stuff is scale, it is just that the detail is either lacking, or it is molded-in rather than added separately.

I just wish Lionel did something with the packaging to distinguish the Standard O from the Traditional lines like MTH does (different color scheme on the boxes).  It is pretty clear in the catalogs since everything there is grouped into appropriate sections, but when you are looking at stacks of boxed product at train shows, you have to sift through everything to find what you are looking for.

Andy

I see it this way - other might quibble but for what it is worth:

• JLC (a few years ago) and now Vision: Lionel's best (glamour) product - usually only one loco offered per year.  All Lionel's whistles and bells (literally) and features, and usually something really special (like the swinging bell on the Vison Hudson).  Price will be high to the point it may not be clear its worth it compared to Legacy locos, but, well, I buy them anyway.
• Standard - Legacy: the top quality broad offering they have.  almost always scale locos with above average detail, etc.  All with Legacy, cruise and most electronic features, etc., etc., some with special features (whistle steam).  Very good locos in my opinion.  Expensive, but worth it.
• Standard - conventional: Lionel often offers the same scale locos but in conventional only. They have fewer electronics obviously, but sometimes less added on detail parts (e.g., the Legacy verison of a steam loco might have an engineer and a fireman figure in the cab and window class on the sides, the conventional version might not.  despite being conventional only these generaly run smoother and are higher quality (metal tender bodies for steamers, really good detail on diesels and electric)
• Lionmaster - not offered recently, but equivalent to MTH's Railking Impoeral Line, compressed size but good detail, good running, some with Legacy and cruise, etc. I have a slight preference for these versus Ralking or even railkind Imperial.  Lionel seems to do a btter job of making the loco look realy good despite the compression. 
• Conventioal classics: These are updated versions of classic tradiitonal (for the most part) locos, often updated and sometimes really fantastic (like the most recent Berkshire set)
• Traditional - a broad range that includes many traditional (smaller than scale) locos and rolling stock in a variety of qualities but some close to scale stuff (RTR 0-8-0, etc).   These come from a variety of sources, some trace their heritage (and casting molds) back to post-war, I think.  Usually lower cost, and quality (tenders are plastic, etc.), but there are some super bargains here and they are alot of fun.

Hey! Thanks guys, I can see much clearly now.

Thank you very much Lee, this description help me a lot. I am thinking of leaving MTH and DCS aside for a while but I wish I can keep the same level of details as the "premier" line.

Oh and another question, Is Legacy an update of the TrainMaster Command Control system?

I see it this way - other might quibble but for what it is worth:

• JLC (a few years ago) and now Vision: Lionel's best (glamour) product - usually only one loco offered per year.  All Lionel's whistles and bells (literally) and features, and usually something really special (like the swinging bell on the Vison Hudson).  Price will be high to the point it may not be clear its worth it compared to Legacy locos, but, well, I buy them anyway.
• Standard - Legacy: the top quality broad offering they have.  almost always scale locos with above average detail, etc.  All with Legacy, cruise and most electronic features, etc., etc., some with special features (whistle steam).  Very good locos in my opinion.  Expensive, but worth it.

If we're including Lionmaster which looks like it's retired then:

I think we might want to insert the Century Club items between JLC & Standard O.  Century Club I & II were generally remakes of classic Lionel engines with the latest features available for the time (TMCC and Railsounds) and generally a higher level of detail. 

Where would we slot Post War Celebration Series (PWC?).