Lionel 2014 is out, What are you ordering?

I saw a lot of nice things for all age groups.  For myself, I'm getting the REA 

Merchandise car and the Frisco double sheath boxcar & the D&RGW ore car.

There were three cars in sets that I will buy from dealers who break up sets.

I didn't see the O gauge Frosty set.  I guess it will be in the Christmas catalog?

I was hoping for some more Lionchief plus geeps.  

Same here, I do not understand why there are no affordable Postwar type locomotives with Legacy, like a 736, 2055 and even a 773. I am sure there is a market for these.

Art

I'm with you, brother!

Funny but the only thing that really jumps out at me from all of the catalogs is the Zombie Trolley

Each catalog makes me more glad that I purchased most of the classic PW accessories when they were offered in the late 90's to early 2000's.  It's been about 18 years now since they've offered the plain old 445 switch tower (non-burning variety - there have been something like 5 of those, which I am a big fan of, but still....).

Even though I appreciate the scale offerings as well, I'm also with you guys on the classic PW entries with Legacy.  A big part of me getting going in this hobby was Century Club 1 which offered 5 PW classics, but with the modern electronics.  That type of offering would seem to be behind us the last several years at least.

As to what I am buying, I'm sure I'll still find something I have to have...

-Dave

Wow someone starts a thread about a catalog just to whine about what they are not buying.

A more upbeat 2014 Lionel Catalog Thread (Those who want to complain please stay here)

I'm ordering a bunch of 86' Auto Parts Boxcars!!  (YES!!)

I'm also super excited that Lionel is including an adapter bracket that modifies the draft gear for easy installation of Kadee scale couplers! (I'm a 3RS guy) 

My only complaint (just to keep the spirit of this thread alive - HA!) is that they only offer the cars I want in 2-Packs. Anyone want to buy an extra Norfolk Southern car from me when they come out? I'll sell it for Charlie Nassau's pre order price! 

- RICH

Like or not, Complaining is part of the atmosphere that comes with each new

Catalog unveiling.  If Lionel were to offer an orange and blue rock at $100.  Some

one would buy it and others would complain about the price or the shape or not

the correct shade of blue and orange.

WOW, that's amazing how that works. I was just looking at 2013 catalogs

this morning with no clue of the 2014 even being listed on the Lionel web site.

and now this afternoon 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

I am usually the one that starts this thread every year........I didnt say I was not buying,

If you've been hanging out on this Forum for a while, then you know that there is a group of very dyed-in-the-wool and fiercely loyal Brand "L" supporters who will not tolerate any comments that THEY consider to be even remotely negative...even if such comments could just as easily be considered constructive feedback by the masses!

Personally, I believe this is a pretty impressive catalog.  However, I'm willing to bet that even Mike R. and some of the other Managers at Lionel actually want to hear some of the things that people don't like (constructive feedback) about the catalog.  Based on what I think I know about Mike tells me that he strives for continued improvement at Lionel.  Only being told how great everything is won't make you better, or help you to improve moving forward!

I'll give one example.  I've been waiting for years for one of the manufacturer's to produce a Heavy Mikado.  I'm a huge Jersey Central fan.  I don't own a single Legacy steam engine yet (as I'm mostly a diesel guy).  With all the rave reviews of Legacy steamers I've been reading and hearing about, I've been patiently waiting to buy one. 

When I heard a leak late last week that there would be a newly-tooled Heavy "Mike" offered in CNJ livery, I was convinced that it would be my first Legacy steamer purchase.  Until I saw today's catalog.  It's being offered in the early "CRR of NJ" livery, not the CNJ "Miss Liberty" herald that I was hoping for.  I'm sure there are fans of the earlier paint scheme, just not me. 

Chances are there are other CNJ fans who feel the exact same way.  So, why should it be considered whining or complaining for me to state my opinion on this?  Why can't I love the fact that Lionel is finally producing a Heavy Mike, but be disappointed that it's not the one I want?  Ok, I'm done!!

Same here.  Not a complaint, just an observation.  I'm pretty satisfied with my Lionel purchases over the past couple of years.  Just not a lot of new offerings in this year's catalog, especially if you're a diesel fan.  Steam enthusiasts, though,  seem to be very excited.  

- Mike

Great to see ES44AC's in UP and CSX schemes.

Those and a few of the Hi-Cube 86' box-cars will pretty much comprise my 2014 wanted list.

Cheers,

Michael 

I think its a fabulous catalog, with really cool scale stuff, plus Kadee mounting pads now.  

Probably want to get the 86' box cars and that UP ES44AC (if they put the headlight in the right place, LOL!)

Like the scale PE stuff too...

The 86-foot Excess Height box cars look pretty impressive, plus the separate-sale ones are available in ATSF. I think I'm in for three of them. Thinking about a pair of Autoracks, too.

I may end up ordering the Great Northern Mikado with a LionChief Plus remote. Seems like a simple option and one my kids can safely use. I like the idea of digital control for my trains but not the hundreds of dollars in specialized equipment they currently seem to require. LionChief Plus is fantastic as I can add a digital locomotive to my otherwise conventional layout. 

Really hope down the road they make LionChief Plus upgrade kits, similar to the ERR upgrade boards. I just bought a Williams BL-2 and would love to upgrade it to LionChief Plus (especially since it accelerates way too quickly for my kids to safely control!)

Me too - I am surprised about the lack of PW style stuff.  The NP & MStL Geeps I bought w/ Legacy are nice. Wish they would make more stuff like that along with the cool scale offerings which seem to dominate the catalogs

Not whining, there is just nothing in it that excites me. I guess if you are not into scale you can not have an opinion.

Art

I always like Lionels new catalogs but have a big problem paying that much for toys that in a short time will not have parts available.

Pleasantly surprised to see an AC-12. Wasn't going to buy it but saw it had whistle steam and new road numbers and daylight colors! Will probably cancel one of my Big Boys to have fun for this bad boy. Is the Daylight themed AC-12 a fantasy paint or was it rWally the case in real life?

Well...Auto Parts box cars look good. But wow, that Erie Berkshire is darn near as much as the upcoming 3rd Rail version. Yes, the Lionel has Legacy. Doesn't look like there's a lot of differentiation in the roads, beyond paint schemes.

Richtrow - which NS car are you talking about? Oh, never mind - weird. Not in the Lionel online catalog, as far as I can tell, but I see it on the Nassau site. If googled, shows up at Lionel. Glad you mentioned it.

David

I have been waiting since Legacy first came out for a PWC Legacy type locomotive. 

Art

Not a bleeping thang!  If I even need more trains and train stuff there are many other much more affordable sources.

Pete

I would like to order the Penn Central E-8's. I not sure of the paint it looks more like Penn. Brunswick Green, than P.C. green.

Well, The only thing good about the catalog being online? I didn't have to throw any paper in the garbage...

This catalog is a joke. They have lionmastered the mid - bottom line and limited the highend. Where are all the moderate priced/semi scale engines to work with the cab2?

I will be better off hunting for deals on Williams engines and upgrading them.

The same crossing gate that worked wonderful....I bet it still hasn't been redesigned.

The switches with cherry switch issues...to boot.

Well,LCS is ordered. My only purchase of the year...

Are all of the Legacy locos in the catalog going to be manufactured to the preorder quantity. In other words if you don't preorder you are hoping / relying on some dealers ordering extras.

I like those little 0-4-0 locomotive sets, although Im not to particular to the 4 wheel rolling stock. I think I would change those over to 4 wheel trucks.

pgs 16,17,18 Lionel 2014 RTR catalog

Bill:

There is a symbol for all BTO products listed in the catalog (red Circle).

With whistle steam back I'll bite for Berk. But why no caboose for the PM? 

Joe

I think the catalog is very impressive!  I already have an over abundance of locomotives and rolling stock and am pretty happy with what I have but I got have to get those 86' auto boxcars!!

Alan

Definitely, perhaps, maybe the Pennsy N5b cabin.

While I'm also a PWC, CC, etc. fan, I can appreciate that they've mined this vein for many years and probably think it's time to give it a few years rest.  I'm sure these will be back down the road, very likely with Lion Chief and Lion Chief Plus electronics if these innovations are successful.  Clearly they are focusing on the high end market and the starter sets, Lion Chief Plus, etc. rather than the semi-scale or postwar type of trains.

These things go in cycles .

I'm also impressed with it and it was more fearful to me the farther that I got into the SE. I guess because I knew somethings were coming out like the BB and then it hit me as I turned the next page. The Big Blue and the 86' high-cube cars, I'm sorry but it did nothing for me. Which I'm glad that there was at least something that I didn't want.

Different though when I got to the Legacy cranes & boom cars there was the CSX want it. Turn the page Bethlehem Steel got to have it, next page MOW it would go good with my 1st one. ***** But Here's the BIGGEST KICKER ***** I went to look up the older MOW crane using the product search #### the NEW CSX, BETH. Steel & MOW product sheets MSRP $399.99 #### 2014 SE CATALOG MSRP $499.99 for them ****$100.00 DFFERENCE **** Someone is no doing their homework.

I'll stop there.

I might get the Amtrak baggage car in the set catalog, but nothing else. Lots of other neat things but nothing I really need. Frankly, the set catalog was a little more of an eye-popper than the Signature edition. I think the LionChief idea is really cool and should be a smash hit for Lionel.

OK, I found the "gripe" thread. My only thing about the new catalog is the lionchief Pennsylvania Mikado. In this day and age, you would think that Lionel could release a "traditional line" pennsylvania steamer with the "correct" headlight. I know, I know, the 0-8-0 starter locos have it placed correctly, but really Lionel. They could've place the traditional K4 loco body on the 2-8-2 frame and BAM!, you've got an L1 PRR Mikado thats "anatomically correct" with belpaire firebox and all!

Lionchief is another lionel marketing blunder. First released with no conventional control? Then added later....The system without some path to legacy or tmcc without engine gutting is a joke. So, I invested a thousand in zw-l cab 2. But, I must now buy expensive engines only.... Williams and ERR upgrades here we come.

Even though a beautifully-running brass USRA Heavy Mike was offered by Samhongsa/Williams years ago - I have a couple or three - I am planning to call

Legacy Station to pre-order the L&N Heavy Mike ($929.00).

Would love the unpainted one, though...and the unpainted Pilot PRR 6-8-6.

Still waiting for the unpainted Pilot Niagara.