I want to see Lionel make an Autism Acceptance/ Awareness car or set

We set up our modular layout many times a year and many children come to our layout that have Autism.  We have watched many of these children grow up over the years. There is something about trains they love.

I made this car to run at shows.

Very nice looking boxcar.

After reading the posts I see both sides of the argument.  My son does not know he is autistic.  I think he has an idea that he is different from his peers.  He will be 10 years old this June.  He loves reading and loves Star Wars.  He has a lot of interests.  Trains are just one of many.  I would buy a car and if he saw it on the layout and asked I would explain it to him and maybe possibly prep myself with a book about it.  I know there are fears of some big corporation only giving a small percentage of the money gained with the selling of such a car.  I look at it this way, its kinda like free advertising.  It gets it out there.  It lets it be accepted.  Acceptance is KEY!  When I was my sons age I can remember classmates that behaved differently and now I know why.  Anyway to spread the word is good for me.  I might be the minority in this thinking.  I hope this happens!

Doc, can you share some details on how you made the graphics for the car?

My son (almost 4) has ASD, and it's certainly challenging on our family. I understand both views on this, and know exactly what other parents are going through. Can you understand how tough it is to have never had a conversation with your child?

 He's obsessed with music (The Wiggles mostly) and loves Thomas the Train. Our only route of communication is through singing his favorite songs (The Thomas theme song is one of his favorites). This Christmas my father bought him the Lionel startup Thomas track (not the lion chief) to go along with our Strasburg set. He loves it! He runs back and forth chasing Thomas. His birthday is next month and I just bought him James, and am currently looking for Percy. (Does Lionel even produce this stuff anymore?)

As for a set on Autism Awareness, I'd be in for a couple sets. One set to run, one to keep. Like a previous poster stated, we need Awareness, and any ink is good ink. 

Good Day,

How can I help?

Sincerely,

Frank Swafford

CAPTAIN posted:

, and am currently looking for Percy. (Does Lionel even produce this stuff anymore?)

 

As for a set on Autism Awareness, I'd be in for a couple sets. One set to run, one to keep. Like a previous poster stated, we need Awareness, and any ink is good ink. 

 

Yes!!!

http://www.charlesro.com/store...p;Category_Code=OLTT

Now if they would make Toby.

I have been looking at how I could make my own tooling. If it works, I will consider this idea.

Check out the April 1st post on Lionel's Facebook page.

Great idea!

Going to resurect my own thread, I cannot find any evidence that Lionel made that "light it up blue" boxcar.  If they did, does someone have the model number.  I want to get one for my 2 custom F3's to pull.   Mike

I don't personally know anyone who has autism, but it sounds like a good idea to me. I'm pretty sure one or more of the manufacturers has made breast cancer awareness cars?? Autism affects so many people it would just make sense. I'm kinda different on my thoughts of advertising awareness of some of these illnesses however. There are so many other medical conditions which most people never even heard of that also deserve some extra awareness. Not to get into detail but I have a rare genetic disease that effects around 5,000 people worldwide. I know how a hobby can help you escape from the everyday stress of reality. Trains are a way to control my own little world.

Most likely the car was made in very limited numbers or maybe even just a one off.  certainly with Lionel's USA made decorating abilities they can make one off cars quite easily.

https://www.facebook.com/perma...p;id=284587341649720

Maybe an MTH dealer that has experience with special runs with MTH could make something like this. How would you feel about using one of the Blinking LED Box Cars as the base of the scheme? Thoughts on the scheme?

Anybody want to design one that I could use?

I don't see any reason for a major manufacturer to do it. Seems like a custom job. Silkscreen perhaps.

Lionel itself is involved with Autism Speaks, and according to rep's at the WGH on tour show this past winter in Indy, a car for them is on the drawing board for production, but he didnt have a timeline.  I am wondering if that car was a test shot for upcoming production?  I did email Lionel to see if its been or going to be produced.  I never did see a proper model number for that car, so I suspect is just a test shot/artist rendering only at this point.   Lionel thru LCCA does special programs for autistic kids with operating layouts and such and its done with the cooperation of Autism Speaks.   So if one gets made, I suspect it will be Lionel that produces it.   Mike

I would love one.  My girlfriend's son is on the spectrum.    He is non-verbal.  He does understand words but can't always translate what's in his head into words.  He also has typical sensitivity issues that go along with being on the Autism spectrum.

One thing we found out right away is he LOVES trains.   Due to his sensitivity, when he is over, I run everything silent.

He is very good with his hands.  He can navigate the special software for learning that is on an iPad with ease.

I showed him how to use a CAB-1, basically, to "make the train go."   I also have a "Big red Button", as Neil Young designed/uses for his son, to "make the train stop"

He loves it.

There are, of course, learning and boundary issues.   We do have to tell him no when he tries to do something on the layout not good.  he does understand yes, and no.

Overall, it's a great way I have found to connect with him.

Personaly I would replace "awareness" with "Acceptance" as that is more in tune to what other autistics desire, to be accepted for who they are.  There is plenty of clip art on google images with the puzzle pieces and other autism images.  I am not good at computer graphics or I would make something up.  There is a neat umbrella image that shows how the all the different diagnosis fall under the "autism" umbrella.  Mike

I went to the "World's Greatest Hobby" on tour show today.  Spoke to the Lionel rep there and he said that a special car for this is on the table.  

No he didn’t.  Or more precisely, no I didn’t.  I said a car like that is “not off the table.”  The difference is that there is no plan in place, but on the other hand no one has ever said “We will not make that.”   Lionel makes special runs at a minimum of 250.  With the “Made in the USA” project, we may be able to do smaller runs in the future.  You can design it we’ll make them, but you will need to find 249 other people to buy them from you.  From the interest I see here, you might just do that.

Lionel itself is involved with Autism Speaks, and according to rep's at the WGH on tour show this past winter in Indy, a car for them is on the drawing board for production, but he didnt have a timeline. 

No. I never said it.  Lionel employees are not at liberty to speak about “things on the drawing board”, or anything not cataloged or publicly announced.   I can’t speak about anything in an up coming catalog before it is released.  Lionel does sponsor events with Autism Speaks, and I am delighted that they do.  

I didnt say you talked about the Autism Speaks connection, thats the LCCA club that has been doing stuff with them.  And I am keeping my fingers cross that it gets off the drawing board in the near future.  Seems like we can do every other major promotional car.  Having an autism car ready to unveil for delivery in April of next year for the national awareness month would be perfect and I am sure that has been "discussed" if the topic of a car such as this has come up at those meetings.   Till then, I will make my own and hope someone produces one.  I my humble opinion, its a no brainer to make this car and have it ready for delivery by next April. 

And since we have the ear of someone at Lionel, can you speak to whether that Light it up blue car pictured above, from a pic copied from Lionel's facebook page back in April, is it a fig newton of someones mind, or is that Lionel thinking out loud and teasing people?  

https://www.facebook.com/perma...p;id=284587341649720

According to this, it is a one - off set created for an auction.  You now know as much as I do.

Thank you BMT, I dont do the whole facebook thing, just saw the pic someone else posted.