Lionel 2023020 Shark Research & Rescue GP38 LionChief Set (Pre-order)

I believe this was discussed here some time ago when the cancellation first happened.  I didn’t find the set to be as cool at the price point it was at, but I did order just the aquarium car.  I would imagine a lot of people felt the same way considering the set was cancelled.

They have apparently cancelled the whole production run. So they didn't single you out and cancel your order. And the reasons could be anything from lack of enough total orders (the typical reason) to a production problem.

Personally I wondered why they decided to place a large shark fin in place of the usual brakeman figure on the operating box car. Those brakeman figures are pretty lightweight and there is some obvious clearance space between the bottom of that figure and the slit opening in the roof of the box car. Not sure how well that shark fin and bubble stream would have worked. But who knows what the real issue was.

BUT I do agree it would be courteous of Lionel to have some sort of product cancellation link on their website. It might not do away with the disappointment, but at least you would know, without have to wait for the anticipated ship date to find out.

You cannot always rely on their shipping schedule for this information, as we have read here many times. Sometimes a product just disappears from that list, but is still in the production pipeline. But how would anyone know? Once in a great while, one of the larger dealers will post a list of product cancellations here on the forum.

EDIT: Upon reading Jake's comment above, I googled the set. Easier to do that than use the search function here. Drum roll please....

https://ogrforum.com/...rescue-set-cancelled

Cancellations happen - pretty much with all manufacturers    Oh, well.

I received the Shark Aquarium car last week. 

what a pitty 

i really liked that set and there probably won't be a similar one to hunt down

hopefully lionel has something i really sink my teeth into no pun intended

maybe dinosaurs or some other adventure theme

i still enjoy my hotwheels set but want to turn up the action with another action theme

I usually don't pre-order sets but tat shark set stuck out to me. I love going to aquariums in normal times and hit them up. So i pulled the trigger on this set. Very disappointed it was canceled. I will get a call about the aquarium car and pick that up. Wish the news was different in other ways. 

There has been a few other 2020 items canceled as well. Fairly certain the extra pass car for the Witherslack Hall set has been canceled, there may be 1 or 2 other items I'm missing.  I'll double check. Lionel really needs to provide this info on their website.

2017010 AF New York Central Docksider BT Set
2023160 Baldwin Locomotive Works LionChief Set with Bluetooth
2029020 Bluetooth PEP Bandstand Speaker
2032100 Chesapeake & Ohio #1601 LionMaster Allegheny LC2.0 Steam
2032110 Chesapeake & Ohio #1607 LionMaster Allegheny LC2.0 Steam
2032120 Chesapeake & Ohio #1611 LionMaster Allegheny LC2.0 Steam
2032130 Virginian #906 LionMaster Allegheny LC2.0 Steam
2029170 Halloween PEP Freight Station
2030250 Halloween Signs 5-Pack
2030270 Santa Elves Houses 3-pack (Station)
2023090 Witherslack Hall 4-6-0 LionChief Set with Bluetooth

Update: Mr Muffins Trains website has the cancelled items listed here:

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/bl...tems-from-2020-vol-1

Could have something to do with China

Well, I'm still pining for the Spy v. Spy box car.  

As long as the Star Trek stuff gets made I'm good.  Number 1, engage!

@Vinny26 posted:

Could have something to do with China

The source of that list, Mr. Muffin, said they were cancelled due to lack of orders.   Other items catalogued along with the cancelled items are still being made, so why do folks randomly guess stuff like that?  

I almost preordered it. I was so angry that they didnt use a baldwin sharknose! Seems like such an obvious choice. The diesel they picked made no sense. I had to pass.