I see Ebay ads for both Lionel train "set" and Lionel train "outfit".
Was there a difference in a set and an outfit, or is it just different wording for the same thing.
Thanks,
Jeff
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I am not sure it means anything. this place has something listed as an outfit but when you look farther it is a set.
http://www.lionel-train-set.com/index.html
can not trust the folks who use the bay.
An "outfit" is something you wear.
A Lionel "set" is something you wear out. 
"Outfit" was Lionel Corp's term for "set".
I concur with Rob, then again, not to be a pest, Lionel marked some of their boxed trains as an 'Outfit' and a 'Set.'
As, you research this info. you'll see photos. of some Lionel boxes marked 'Outfit,' in the earlier 1950's, and 'Set,' by the later 1950's.
Similar to a group of drums, 'Outfit' and/or 'Set.'
Who knows?!!!
http://www.postwarlionel.com
Ralph
pre-war term. Lionel usage.
Then, it became a set. That's what I see from researching pre-war.
Common usage blurred it even further. They are the same. Only correct because of the product name.
Not an expert by any means, just a partially educated opinion
outfit (noun)
1.
an assemblage of articles that equip a person for a particular task, role, trade, etc.:
an explorer's outfit.
3.
a set of articles for any purpose:
a cooking outfit.
set (noun)
66.
a collection of articles designed for use together:
a set of china; a chess set.
67.
a collection, each member of which is adapted for a special use in a particular operation:
a set of golf clubs; a set of carving knives.
I see Ebay ads for both Lionel train "set" and Lionel train "outfit".
Was there a difference in a set and an outfit, or is it just different wording for the same thing.
One of the Lionel books I have explains Lionel's usage of the terms. at one point, they did have specific meanings. If I recall which book, I will post the information here.
As for EBay: I wouldn't put any stock in any seller's description. Many of them just don't know, and a fair number of the "well known experts" selling there are not above spinning a tale.
There was one guy I used to follow because he sold a lot of goods that were of interest to me, and he seemed to be very knowledgeable. Then I caught him in an out and out fabrication. Shortly thereafter I caught him in a second one. I don't even look at his stuff anymore. This is only one example.
Thanks for all the thoughts on this. Seems there is probably no definitive answer, but it is something I have long wondered about.
Jeff
bigdodgetrain posted:can not trust the folks who use the bay.
It may be better just to say "You can not trust folks." In my experience with the big auction site, I have been flat out scammed just one time, and actually got a working product, it was just a high quality pirated copy of a DVD set, and the seller had no way to know that was the case before the shrink wrap was removed. On the other hand, I routinely see folks trying to cheat businesses and otherwise being dishonest on the for sale forum here. By percentage the auction site seems a lot more honest to me. Also, if you end up dealing with a dishonest seller, the auction site will make things right if the seller won't.
JGL
The terms, set and outfit, were used interchangeably in many, but not all Postwar catalogs. Some years, one or the other term was used and some years, both terms were used for the same numbered offerings on the same page. The eBay sellers may be referencing descriptions from these catalogs or on set/outfit boxes.
