Lionel 2021 Catalogs in early (?)

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

It always rubs me the wrong way when people complain about Lionel "making high-tech stuff I can't afford" or "making fantasy engines I hate".  Just because you can't afford or don't want to spend the money on the high-end stuff, doesn't mean that stuff shouldn't exist for those who can/do.  I can't afford a yacht, but it doesn't bother me that they exist for those who can buy them.  And likewise, I have no interest in a Milwaukee Road Acela, but if making and selling them can improve Lionel's sales and strengthen their company, why should I care?

Further, what do I do for things I can't afford but want?  I save!  If you really want something from this catalog, you have probably a year to save before you will have to cough up the money for it to buy or pay for the pre-order.

This reminds me of a time when I was a kid, I received a Marx set for Chrismas.  My cousins received Lionel.  I asked why.  Lionel is way too expensive.  If you want a train, be happy with Marx.  The point I make is Lionel to me has always been expensive premium.  Never thought of as great value, but was the best . 

I'm happy MA & PA box car fantastic

Cotton Belt PA’s, SP lines pacific (T&NO #611) and MKT pacific.

yea for stuff that worked the Texas lines.

And probably a new UP turbine.

@rpmcobra posted:

I'm happy MA & PA box car fantastic

Nice...I think it's been a while for anything for the Ma & Pa. At least from Lionel.

@johnstrains posted:

Nice...I think it's been a while for anything for the Ma & Pa. At least from Lionel.

Almost 40 years 😁 that's a long dry spell for MA&PA fans

johnstrains:  First, I sincerely apologise to you sir!  I'm sorry for my disrespect.

I collected Lionel for several years, my favorites being the Santa Fe blue and yellow freight F3 A-B-B-A set, Pennsylvania green GG1, and Northern Pacific 4-8-4, all proudly displayed in my basement.  Due to health issues I sold them to my best friend (RIP) in Florida, who in turned sold them shortly thereafter, to help finance his conversion to two rail O scale.  He also sold his O gauge Lehigh Valley center cab diesel switcher and assorted freight cars, left over from childhood.

I also collected some large scale LGB about five years ago, which is now gone.

I'm now an armchair model railroader and still hope to consturct a small S scale layout.  At the moment everything is on hold.

Hope that answers your question.

Shake hands?  I truly hope so.  Don't worry, I'm wearing my protective Corona mask!

O scale railroadingly yours,

Joe

@rpmcobra posted:

I'm happy MA & PA box car fantastic

That's the item I am ordering out of this catalog, I thought I was alone..Glad I am not.

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

johnstrains:  First, I sincerely apologise to you sir!  I'm sorry for my disrespect.

I collected Lionel for several years, my favorites being the Santa Fe blue and yellow freight F3 A-B-B-A set, Pennsylvania green GG1, and Northern Pacific 4-8-4, all proudly displayed in my basement.  Due to health issues I sold them to my best friend (RIP) in Florida, who in turned sold them shortly thereafter, to help finance his conversion to two rail O scale.  He also sold his O gauge Lehigh Valley center cab diesel switcher and assorted freight cars, left over from childhood.

I also collected some large scale LGB about five years ago, which is now gone.

I'm now an armchair model railroader and still hope to consturct a small S scale layout.  At the moment everything is on hold.

Hope that answers your question.

Shake hands?  I truly hope so.  Don't worry, I'm wearing my protective Corona mask!

O scale railroadingly yours,

Joe

i'm an armchair model railroader as well my main hold back is space and money i want to build a traditional o gauge carpet layout with lionchief trains and pep accesories with very few exceptions to this rule. i plan on getting the nasa and john deere sets spoiler alert but nothing is set in stone

Love the Family Lines  LionChief U36B..always have room for any rare issue of that roadname.

I have not seen the catalog as of now in person, I plan on it tomorrow hopefully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O_V67uMlLk

John

paigetrain, there's probably a good number of armchair model railroaders these days due to many reasons.  Quite a few seniors have sold their homes and live in house trailers or RVs, some like me due to health issues, uncertain financial futures, unemployment, the list goes on.  One thing we all share is our love for the hobby regardless of scale.  Lionel continues to bring out trains in O and S, even has returned to HO.  If nothing else, the catalogs still serve as wish books full of magic surprises for all age groups and pocketbooks alike.

With the advent of this Corona thing, on the positive side, Lionel catalogs and O Gauge Railroading magazine sure help make everyday just a little bit brighter.  I like your plan to acquire the NASA and John Deere sets.  When the M-K-T replaced the traditional red color scheme with green and yellow  some Katy fans started to call it John Deere.

I'm surprised that Deere didn't ever invest in regional and/or short lines.  In our model railroad world, perhaps not such a bad idea, huh?

Joe

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

I'm now an armchair model railroader and still hope to consturct a small S scale layout.  At the moment everything is on hold.

Friendly suggestion:

If possible, get going on that layout. Even a small layout can be very rewarding and get those creative juices flowing. There are countless articles in the magazines and posts here on the forum about how to do a fun layout in small spaces. Don't have to shoot the moon...just get a simple loop of track down and run trains.

That sort of participation in the hobby has got to be more rewarding than kibbitzing from the sidelines.

@rpmcobra posted:

Almost 40 years 😁 that's a long dry spell for MA&PA fans

Right. I know MTH did a number of Ma & Pa items through the years. Probably didn't hurt that they are (were) Maryland based.

I had a great coffee table book called "Trackside Maryland" years ago. One section had excellent photos of the old Ma & Pa.

@John Pignatelli JR. posted:

I have not seen the catalog as of now in person, I plan on it tomorrow hopefully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O_V67uMlLk

John

Thanks for the link.   Anyone know if the Veranda is diecast? 

@JC642 posted:

Thanks for the link.   Anyone know if the Veranda is diecast?

The description says "Die-cast Body".  Best you'll get from here.

@johnstrains posted:

Right. I know MTH did a number of Ma & Pa items through the years. Probably didn't hurt that they are (were) Maryland based.

I had a great coffee table book called "Trackside Maryland" years ago. One section had excellent photos of the old Ma & Pa.

The MA&PA fans were very fortunate to have had Mike and that local influence. A small group of us try to keep others informed of available items but there's not much out there.  Weaver even blessed us with a small run of box cars and hoppers but very hard to find. I can't leave out Williams and even RMT

johnstrains: Thanks so much for the encouragement.  I do have a compact albeit nice and dry basement, perfect for a small layout.  I loved the Lionel I collected but that's history.  I'm still thinking hard towards S scale, however, I must confess that I just gotta get the Menards O scale enginehouse since it's a 99% copy of John Allen's HO model he scratchbuilt for his Gorre & Daphetid.  I guess it would work even for S scale?  Lot's of Plasticville was designated O/S I believe?  No problem, I'll "force fit" the enginehouse if need be!  LOL

The "layout" will be "U" shaped, shelf style.  I don't want to take this too far off the subject which I'm sure you understand.

Thanks again for your message, and once again, apologies!

Peace Brother!

Joe

@JC642 posted:

Thanks for the link.   Anyone know if the Veranda is diecast?

This is what is listed on page 32.

Legacy  +  Die-cast body  +  Cab interior  +  Dual smoke units  +  SuperBass sound from tender  +  ElectroCouplers on Loco front and Tender rear  +  Operating Couplers on Loco rear and Tender front  +  LED Mars and Emergency stop lights  +  Diesel and Turbine sounds matched with smoke and speed  +  Length 30"  +   Minimum curve 072  +  (LVC, Bluetooth tech features)

Including real and fantasy, 4 UP versions, 1 Alaska, 1 Pa, 1 D&RG, 1SP,  1GN, and 1US DoD

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

johnstrains: Thanks so much for the encouragement.  I do have a compact albeit nice and dry basement, perfect for a small layout.  I loved the Lionel I collected but that's history.  I'm still thinking hard towards S scale, however, I must confess that I just gotta get the Menards O scale enginehouse since it's a 99% copy of John Allen's HO model he scratchbuilt for his Gorre & Daphetid.  I guess it would work even for S scale?  Lot's of Plasticville was designated O/S I believe?  No problem, I'll "force fit" the enginehouse if need be!  LOL

The "layout" will be "U" shaped, shelf style.  I don't want to take this too far off the subject which I'm sure you understand.  I've already been found guilty as charged for committing such crimes at times.

Thanks again for your message, and once again, apologies!

Peace Brother!

Joe

Right...sounds like you have ideas. As I mentioned above, I'd really focus on getting some track (good old tin to be sure) and just make a loop. Add a small consist and a simple transformer and away you go. Leave the scenery and structures until later. That always follows. Sometimes just having a train to run is the best medicine.

Johnstrains: Thanks again.  I'm leaning towards the Pioneer Valley O scale layout plan.  It was featured in a series in MR; later included in a MR layout book.  Neat shelf plan although my version will be modified to the "U" shape and not along aone wall.  It will give me around 25 ft. of mainline switching all total.

Joe

I look at the offerings of a product in 6-8 roadnames.  This is on high end stuff.  Is it reasonable that they would make all, or wait for the pre-orders before dropping some from lack of numbers.

The Verandah, 10 different schemes.  Really?

I was especially drawn by the Acela in SF Warbonnet.  Liiked very unique.

@Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

I look at the offerings of a product in 6-8 roadnames.  This is on high end stuff.  Is it reasonable that they would make all, or wait for the pre-orders before dropping some from lack of numbers.

This is my greatest concern. Finally ACL #1504 is being offered. I hope enough are pre-ordered so I can have one my most sought after locomotives.

@TM Terry posted:

This is my greatest concern. Finally ACL #1504 is being offered. I hope enough are pre-ordered so I can have one my most sought after locomotives.

I would think it will be.  The only ACL pacific made with this tooling was the 1523 that K-line produced as part of a set.  I have that locomotive and it is a stunner.

@Brian DeFazio posted:

I would think it will be.  The only ACL pacific made with this tooling was the 1523 that K-line produced as part of a set.  I have that locomotive and it is a stunner.

This brings up an interesting point. Will Lionel be using the K-Line tooling for the new engine or their Southern PS-4 tooling. Makes a difference on what motor will be used. With the exception of the New England Berks, all of the K-Line remakes have gotten the small Mabuchi motor in the smokebox. The Southern PS-4 has a large Pittman in the firebox. It won't be a Pittman but at least a larger motor than  what would fit in the K-Line configuration.

Pete

@Norton posted:

This brings up an interesting point. Will Lionel be using the K-Line tooling for the new engine or their Southern PS-4 tooling. Makes a difference on what motor will be used. With the exception of the New England Berks, all of the K-Line remakes have gotten the small Mabuchi motor in the smokebox. The Southern PS-4 has a large Pittman in the firebox. It won't be a Pittman but at least a larger motor than  what would fit in the K-Line configuration.

Pete

Hmmm, didn't even consider the ps-4 tooling.  I suppose they might, but that's more of a heavy pacific style.  To be truer to a usra light pacific, the k-line tooling is more accurate.  Also, the  k-line tooling is VERY close to a real ACL pacific

I agree the USRA Pacific is more accurate but you would be getting a 4 dollar motor in a $1300+ engine that will overheat pulling more than 5 18" cars.

You would do better sending your engine to Bruk if you want a Legacy version.

Pete

@Norton posted:

I agree the USRA Pacific is more accurate but you would be getting a 4 dollar motor in a $1300+ engine that will overheat pulling more than 5 18" cars.

You would do better sending your engine to Bruk if you want a Legacy version.

Pete

Not sure what you mean by "bruk".  Never heard of that.  I will say that I only pull 6 heavyweights with my k-line and it doesnt break a sweat.  Never tried anything heavier than that, but there's no real reason to I guess.  I am also very particular about making sure all my locomotives and rolling stock are very clean, lubricated and as smooth rolling as humanly possible, so that probably helps.  Both before and after any lengthy operating session every piece is serviced.

Bruk and Sid are the guys doing Legacy upgrades.

Pete

@Brian DeFazio posted:

I will say that I only pull 6 heavyweights with my k-line and it doesnt break a sweat.  Never tried anything heavier than that, but there's no real reason to I guess.

It may not be "breaking a sweat", but it's pulling with a really small motor.  The Lionel Legacy K4 is based on the K-Line design, and I've had a bunch of them across the bench for motor and gear issues.

@Norton posted:

Bruk and Sid are the guys doing Legacy upgrades.

Pete

Thanks, didn't know there was a legacy upgrade path.  Only knew about ERR thru 3rd rail. That might be worth looking into sometime. 

The "Legacy Upgrade" is a "roll your own" using Lionel parts and making your own wiring harnesses.  It's not for the faint of heart.

So leave the Legacy upgrades to Bruk and Sid.  Seems like They aught to go with ERR instead 🤔😉

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The "Legacy Upgrade" is a "roll your own" using Lionel parts and making your own wiring harnesses.  It's not for the faint of heart.

LOL, well then, I like my k-line as is then lmao.

@Brian DeFazio posted:

LOL, well then, I like my k-line as is then lmao.

https://ogrforum.com/...c/152899749015124530

This is Bruk's current project. He does extremely amazing work as do several others on here. It's definitely worth a look at just to see his amazing work, enjoy.

do we know when the catalog show is gonna be?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

https://ogrforum.com/...c/152899749015124530

This is Bruk's current project. He does extremely amazing work as do several others on here. It's definitely worth a look at just to see his amazing work, enjoy.

I just took your advice, Dave!!  tremendous job!!  John was sooooo right!

@paigetrain posted:

do we know when the catalog show is gonna be?

If you are meaning when the digital catalog will be released then, it will come out on January 22. If you mean something else then I do not know.

Well I just watched the YouTube video of the 2021 catalog.  Hmmm.

John, I think I will be purchasing some more upgrades (Smoke and chuffer combo) from you.

@Trainmaster04 posted:

If you are meaning when the digital catalog will be released then, it will come out on January 22. If you mean something else then I do not know.

i mean the catalog show where Ryan and Dave explain the catalog to us

@paigetrain posted:

do we know when the catalog show is gonna be?

Notch 6 usually does his show very soon after the catalog release.  Last year I think it was on the day it was released.