Lionel 18" Aluminum Cars That WON'T Be Made?

I have been thinking the same thing.  I have wanted the Southern aluminum passenger cars but since that is also one of the sets announced for he initial run of 21 inch cars, I seriously doubt that both sets will be produced.  I also do not expect to see the 18 inch Wabash, Rock Island or C & O.

I will miss Lionel's extruded aluminum cars.

Don

I second that as it looks highly likely they won't be produced again.

I was actually thinking of going for the 18" UP cars that are in the new catalog, however I think I'm going to wait for either 21 Or 18 inch ABS ones for one reason, I want a Station Sounds car! If production of the aluminum cars is coming to an end, I think it's unlikely that there will ever be a metal sound car at this point and I don't want to mix the two

I will also, it's the end of an era.  Lionel has made them for so many years...

That being said, I doubt we'll see anymore.  They're using the stock and that'll be it. Questionable if some of the current pre-order cars will be made.  After all, some of the cars appeared at least a year ago in the 14 Signature line up and haven't been delivered.  Shipping schedule keeps sliding right as each deadline approaches.  We'll have to wait and see...I know, toy train fanatics love that statement...

I know many have been critical of Lionel's 18" cars but I for one like them.  I know they aren't accurate to prototypes, but for the money and quality involved, I enjoy them.  Sure, they have faults, but I've had lots of enjoyment from the set I own and they look nice.  As my taste for scale has developed, GGD has been the answer for the cars I lust after.  I also prefer the K-Line 21" AL cars.

All in all, Lionel has done a great job with the 18" cars, IMO.  As hobbyist, we've had wonderful choices over the years.  Thank you Lionel.  Job well done!

Always hoped for a 18" flat end observation car. 

Get'em while you can.  I'd like to have a few more to finish one of my sets.  And the station sounds car is already hard to find, imagine what it'll be like now...

The new ABS 21" will be the start of a new era.  Looking forward to it. 

Ditto regrets, albeit 15"-ers.

Folks,

I found the thread that Charlie from Nassau Hobbies posted in early November 2014.  These were the items mentioned as being cancelled at that time:

The following sets are not being produced;

6-81972 B&O 2 pack

6-81981 KCS 2 pack

6-20012 B&O Capitol Lmt. 4 pack

6-20020 FEC City of Miami 4 pack

6-20025 KCS Southern Belle 4 pack

We will of course refund or transfer deposits. Thank You

Now that Lionel has officially announced 21" cars and will be transitioning production away from aluminum, I wonder if any additional 18" sets will be cancelled.

I noticed the online shipping schedule still has the C&O 18's overdue for Nov 2014 and the Southern 18's overdue for Jan 2015.  After that, the MKT Texas Special 18's are up for March 2015 delivery... and then a bunch more 18's throughout the remainder of the year. Given the (un)reliability track record of this online schedule, I just don't know what's real vs. fantasy at this point.  

Would be nice to know definitively very soon, since the new 21" cars just catalog'd are BTO with a pre-order "deadline" of mid-March.  I'd actually still prefer an 18" aluminum Texas Special.  But if it's not gonna happen, I may consider ordering a 21" version.

David

I preordered the Southern Railway 18" cars but really prefer the 21" Southern Railway cars.  

Neal 

Rock Island was cancelled, the MKT and C&O cars are still showing backordered.

Joe

David, I spoke to Matt Ashba at the Amherst Train Show a week ago and he confirmed some 18" sets previously announced would not be done. He did not recall exactly which ones which is understandable as he had no reference material with him.

Based upon my conversations with one of the Lionel officials at Charles Ro back in October, there were production issues with the 18" aluminum cars that caused the CZ set to be painted. My guess is they will exhaust what shell inventory is left and that will be it for the 18" aluminum passenger cars. I would expect new tooling for the 18" cars in the future and done in plastic.