Lionel 2014 Cataloge Update

The Big Boy has garnered everyone's attention, but let's not forget the PE Berks were also "previewed" last year with no price point.  It will be interesting to see just how many of the 2014 items are perceived as "needing deep pockets to order" (ala Vision Line locomotives) vs. "good value for the money" (i.e., the S-3 steam locomotive from a couple years ago).

Here's to hoping we'll see more of the latter, but I'm not holding my breath.  

David

One other thing. This thread has me very confused

Is it cataloge or catalog

Charlie, do you know something we don't??

It's like the word "shop" vs. "shoppe".

If you own a train shop, it's just another store.  But if you own a train shoppe...  well then you own a very, very upscale store.  

Pure marketing genius at its best, I suppose.

David

I agree!!  That's why my other hobby is astronomy.  When they predict an eclipse you can be assured that it will come exactly when scheduled!!!!!

Tell me about it!.  I pre-ordered these and they were delivered with a large gash in the side of the box.  Returned them little knowing I would never see a replacement.  Very frustrating.  I have the 5 pack and wanted all 8. 

In English english, we spell it as 'Catalogue'. 

What's interesting is that there has been an item on Lionel's shipping schedule for quite some time now for a similar set.

The 6-25xxx number may indicate that's very likely NOT a scale companion pack to the previously offered items.  Cars in that number series are typically "traditional sized" Lionel O-Gauge -- not scale-sized rolling stock.

6-17741 was the original 5-pack, and 6-17758 was the follow-on 3-pack.

David

"In English english, we spell it as 'Catalogue'. "

And it's pronounced Cholmondeley .

Yes... makes it a legitimate spelling, and yet the relative uniqueness of it makes folks think twice about it.  That's what I was referring to when I mention marketing genius (tongue in cheek).

Getting back to my analogy of shop vs. shoppe... We seldom if ever see a "shoppe" in a worn-down, poorly-maintained district of stores.  Shoppes (so named) here in the US are always found in upscale shopping areas.  So I guess we're likely gonna see LOTS of expensive items featured in Lionel's new upcoming "catalogue" instead of bargain-basement items which would be found in just any old catalog. 

David

Who are you kidding David? I just searched google images for a pic of this mysterious item number.......and its YOU! Are you "scale sized" or "traditional"?

Lionel 6-25934

Now that's scary!!!    All I did was search on the Lionel SKU earlier today, and now Google has me associated with it???    Be careful what you search for, folks!!!

David

cataloge is never correct

catalogue is correct

catalog is also correct (more contemporary usage)

I always use catalog

Marty don't you think 2.5 is a lot for a engine? 

It's not a matter of whether any of us thinks it's a lot or not, it's a matter of what it likely will list for.

Any of us "wishing" it down won't make it so.

Well mth needs to make engines with smoke affects .. I have a problem when I can buy 5 ns es44s vs one engine. I am not wishing it down I was hoping it was2400 and a the street price of 2..

$2.5K is a lot of a model train engine.  But it's also a most reasonable price given the feature and detail, and that is 34 inches long and has 16 drivers and gosh-how many wheels on the pilot trucks and tender, etc.  The only reason I will not be buying one is that I have a perfectly good JLC big Boy that sits on the shelf all but maybe three days a year (100 locos and 365 days - it's simple math) and I can't justify the cost given the few extra new features the Vision model has, desirable as they are, given how seldom the Vision BB would be run: the other 362 days of the year it would do only and exactly the same job the JLC does now (look simply marvelous!).

If I were Lionel, I'd price it at $2,999.00.  I wouldn't sell as many as I might at $2,500, true, but I'd make a lot more on each one.  And if  limited production, which I would also do, I'd sell every one I made.  And I'd have accomplished something important - making it clear to the market that the top end price has busted through $2.5K and is headed for $3K.  Before you think this is a bad idea, consider GM did exactly that with the ZR-1 Corvette a few years ago.  They didn't make or sell many of those $100K+ 'vettes either, but besides getting nearly as much publicity and image boost as Lionel has with its Vision Big Boy, they also sent a clear signal to their market "Chevies can cost over $100K - get used to it."

quote:

how do Manufacturers expect those like myself that are in our early 30's and just getting into the hobby, to be able to afford said locomotives and help keep the hobby thriving as we get older???

 Good idea They didn't sell many of their $30,000 cars either, thats why the government had to "bail them out".

Nothing personal Lee, but hopefully Lionel knows better than to heed your advice.

Lionel needs to build trains that people WANT to buy,like the s3.

 Assuming they will sell by simply having their name on them isn't enough, no one knows this better than GM.

Otherwise, maybe Lionel will be fileing for bankruptcy.........again.

I went to the TCA Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show today and asked the Lionel rep when the catalog was coming out. He said it's coming out the last week of March. I also asked him about the Big Boy price. He guessed the MSRP would be $2499 with a street price around $2000.

And I think you may be off by $500 on both price-points.  I guess we won't know with absolute certainty until the catalog is released.   

If I were a gambling man (which I'm not), I think Lee's price-points may be closer to what we're looking out in a couple of weeks.  Some folks won't like it -- and some who've "pre" pre-ordered may back out because of it.  But I think Lionel will be pushing the envelop in a big way with their V/L Big Boy.  Let's not forget it's intended to be a statement piece where the "you've gotta pay to play" mentality is alive and well.    I hope I'm wrong though.

David

John, for those interested in purchasing a Big Boy, that's more encouraging news than I heard this past week.  I'm now beginning to wonder exactly just how much has been formally communicated through Lionel's sales ranks at this point, for there to still be these kinds of pricing discrepancies this late in the game.   

David

When I was at the Cleveland train show at the ix center I talked to the lionel reps and they told me about 2100 to 2200 on street price .They said that wasn't set In stone.

Actually the ZR-1 came out after the bankruptcy and was part of "the new GM" and now GM is on a roll, making good cars and profits, hiring and listening to Bob Lutz, and just generally doing what it should.  Certainly that top 'vette did not do this by itself, or even really make a noticeable dent in GM's bottom line.  But it was part of the overall plan and culture, and the new GM is a company I respect a lot, even as the old one was one I loathed.  I have one of the first 2,500 Volts and frankly it is by far the best daily driver I've ever had - I'm thinking of getting that new ZO6, too, if I can find a place to keep it.

And Lionel seems to be building trains people want - certainly I do and all my friends with layaouts do too. I think they are on a roll themselves, both with the Vision and Legacy offerings, but particularly with the Thomas line and Lionchief and plus. 

http://lionelllc.wordpress.com/ has photo from Toy fair of new Frosty the Snowman 0-8-0 set.

I guess they were putting that Frosty train through its paces judging by the broken front coupler. LOL

Did anyone buy the WM GP35 diesel from the last catalog?

It looks like the Big Boy pricing is here 1999 at Nassau. suggested retail 2699

I am guessing that there will be a CSX-NASCAR set in the new Ready-to-Run Catalog.

Andrew

The catalog(s) go live the week of the 24th. No, I don't know what is in them.

They include;

Track and Power

Ready to Run

American Flyer

Signature

Thanks for the update Charlie.  Do you have an estimated date for the new MTH O scale catalog?

Yes, April at York

Just to give everyone a heads up. We have a great 2014 Lionel catalog special planned to go live at the same time as the Catalog in a few weeks at Notch 6. You'll hear directly from Lionel about some of the details of the new products and we'll cover some details that you won't find in the catalog.

Sounds Good! Looking forward to it Derek!

Been going thru withdrawal.....

Dennis,

I know what you mean! With Madison Poster being so busy, it's been hard to get episodes out. We should have another episode this month along with the catalog episode.

Marty,

I have not talked to MTH about it yet. I would be open to that if they would be willing. We will see what happens.

I am surprised Vegas does not have a special betting pool.  One id for the date a catalogue is coming out , and two, what item in that catalogue will be produced and inported.