LionChief American Flyer Northern Engines

I do not recall seeing the build to order designation in the catalog for these Northerns.  I placed my order, so no big deal, but if Lionel was going BTO on these and did not list that in the catalog maybe they limited their preorders because people were uniformed.  I know all the legacy pieces are BTO, but I did not know the flyer chief pieces were too. 

Ben

Actually, BTO isn't mentioned anywhere in the 2016 Flyer catalog.

But then, all the sold out Berkshires were recataloged...

Rusty

Ben, Read my interview with Lionel in the current S Gaugian.  All expensive engines are BTO now.  It isn't in the catalog for any of their engines or products in S.  

In reality BTO will be true of all newly engineered products.  This allows them to manufacture what the market will order and not overproduce and end up with products unsold for years. Also, if not enough of a product is ordered they can cancel it.  This happened to the Mechanical Reefers.   

Rusty...They always re catalog an item if they or dealers have unsold product.  I asked about another run of Berks in my interview with Lionel.  The response was maybe in a few years.

Just making the observation.  The average potential customer isn't going to be aware of unsold product lurking at undisclosed locations around the country.

Rusty

Bill 

I read your article, I assumed "expensive" engines as you put it meant legacy. After all, lioncief/flyer chief is pitched by Lionel as the mid level product.  But BTO it is for the northerns...

As for the mechanical reefers, a pig with lipstick is still a pig, Lionel plane'ol screwd that one up for themselves and the S gauge community...AND if they would have said it was BTO at the time in the catalog maybe the response would have been more positive. 

Ben

I didn't even notice that they do not say BTO in the catalog.  Good pick up on that.

I called to confirm with Lionel And they are NOT Build To Order!  I guess the distributors aren't stocking many. 

Sorry for the confusion! I was under the assumption that they are like the O scale engines and BTO. This BTO stuff is confusing the dealers and distributors too