Lionel 2024 Vol 1 Special Runs - What is out there?

Trainloft is offering two Triplexes.

Other than METCA is anyone else doing Legacy GP-9's ???

Mr. Muffin has a ton:

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/co...y=created-descending

Stu

Legacy Station has a US Space Force SW8 as well as a single and 3 pack of US Space Force tank cars.

Can't find anything other than mr.muffin and metca so far. 

New Jersey Hi-Railers and METCA are co-sponsoring a New York & Greenwood Lake Legacy GP9

I wish METCA would do another run of their PRR G5 4-6-0 again. I know it isn’t prototypical but it sure looks good.

We will be announcing more custom runs soon in addition to our PRR triplex. Just have to confirm with Lionel what they can do for our customs! Will be posting on the forum once we finalize our custom run submissions to Lionel.

Mr. Muffin is offering an N&W #759 2-8-4. This is the NKP 2-8-4 that the N&W re-lettered Norfolk And Western for the last passenger run of the N&W's "Pocahontas". You might want to get your pre-orders in if you would like this one to be made.

Hi everyone!

We wanted to share with you our potential custom run lineup for this catalog. If you are interested in any of these please email us at bradystrains@gmail.com to let us know! No commitment to buy, we are just trying to gauge interest, which will help us determine which custom runs to produce. We'll be posting this as a separate post as well, to increase visibility. Please remember that our proposed custom runs have to be reviewed by Lionel and details may change based on what they can do.   Comments welcomed!  Scroll through!

1. PRR Triplex  -- design finalized, already ordered, though still let us know if interested! We can likely up our order quantity if we receive more interest. Right now only 65 made. We already received

Lionel 2431870 BRADY'S CUSTOM PENNSYLVANIA VISION TRIPLEX #1870

Closeup of engine

2. Blue Comet 4-6-0 Passenger set-- Engine plus 6 wood-sided passenger cars  PROPOSED

Approximate cost $1,980 based on catalog pricing and 10% off MAP price -- this would be a great value with 6 cars!

We want to do this custom run, but we would need to make 100 of each pack! It's really important if you like this set to contact us!

We have yet to come across anything like this in the Blue Comet scheme with wood-sided cars.

ENGINE

Proposed Custom Run Brady’s Train Outlet Blue Comet 4-6-0 Legacy engine   #168
Period Fantasy scheme

Coloring scheme: using authentic BLUE COMET colors  Packard Blue and Royal Blue!

      Use Packard Blue for roof, tender top .tender trucks, and other spots where noted

      Replace blue color to Royal Blue on main body and  where indicated 

      Packard blue grab railings on engine and tender

      Pilot truck wheel centers Royal Blue & packard blue on sides of pilot truck frame

      Smokebox and firebox need to be a darker gray

      keep gold accent on cow catcher in front like on 2431640

      Use Jersey central logo like on 2431640

     Gold drive wheel and pilot truck outlines

Light in front, centered like from 2431660 in catalog

Retain gold accents wherever possible from 2431640, including on cab like shown below

PROPOSED PASSENGER CARS

We have developed this Observation car pack for reference based on 2427570-- the other car packs would be modeled on the B&O Royal Blue offerings 2427550 and 2427560

We used lots of historical images to develop this period scheme for the wood-sided cars. These would be really fantastic to make if we get enough interest!

OBSERVATION CAR PACK

Car names: Tralles--refers to Great Comet of 1819; Viscara--refers to Great Comet of 1901

Car coloring:

      Packard Blue roofs, cream stripe, and Royal Blue car bodies and ends

      Retain gold accenting where possible like on the Royal Blue set

      Packard Blue on bottom of cars and doors

Replace city names on Royal Blue set with THE BLUE COMET spaced out and in a lighter shade of gold

Gold accents on curtain in back

On observation car:

      We would like to do a printed version of the "NEW YORK AND ATLANTIC CITY" banner on the curtain

      Keep railing and step accents gold

      We want to add a Blue Comet logo to the railing but are in discussion with Lionel over whether / how this would be possible. If not we will add the logo somewhere on the car. We want to use the original logo which is inversed from the common logo and more appropriate to the time period!

Historical photos

The other two car packs would have a similar design with the following notes;

Doors are solid packard blue on the baggage and combine but otherwise same color scheme as the observation car pack

Names (based on famous comets):

Passenger cars:
Donati (1858)
Messier (1769)

Baggage car
Newton (1680)

Combine
Coggia (1874)

3.   N&W H-7  Legacy PROPOSED

N&W fantasy scheme H7 2-8-8-2 locomotive
Blacked out design similar to 2431560 in catalog
Dogbox tender design from 2431590 in catalog
Coloring:
     N&W Tuscan Red accent striping on engine, tender, ladders, bearing caps, and steam cylinders
     Lighter red accent color on window in cab and tender dogbox
     N&W Gold lettering: on tender (Norfolk and Western), cab number (2402), and superheater in front (N&W)
Under number 2402 on cab, add ROANOKE in smaller font, italics similar to what is on the 611 cab
Replace builder plate with Roanoke Shops if possible

4. Legacy SD45 Chessie CSX heritage  PROPOSED

CSX engine body with a Chessie System nose-- based on the graffitied engine from this past summer, a GP-40. We want to use this design on an SD-45 engine, with authentic CSX and Chessie colors and black truck covers. We think it will look fantastic and complement the other CSX heritage engines offered this catalog run.

Cars:

A.   UP hot box reefer

B.    Conrail  hot box reefer

C.    PRR reefer-- might make this into a 3 pack with other period designs

This reefer would be TUSCAN RED but we left it white here so you can tell it's wood-sided.

This advertisement image will need to be adjusted for scaling onto the car.

D.     UP TOFC Trailers with 20' trailers

Possibly also a PRR wood-side caboose to complement our PRR triplex -- design forthcoming!

If you are even potentially interested in any of these designs please let us know or they might not get made!!! Email us at bradystrains@gmail.com, reach out on Facebook or Instagram, or call us at 724-838-8448.

Thanks everyone for supporting a small business!

Was someone doing an ACL Atlantic or E6?

The LCCA will be doing a Southern Pacific Black Widow Lionchief Blue Tooth 5.0 Passenger set WITH A BLACK WIDOW FT DIESEL, A COACH A VISTA DOME AND A OBSERVATION CAR. To be announced shortly KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.

Sal Gambino/Immediate past President

Hoping for something in ARR. Only recent item was the SD70MAC from Nicholas Smith.

Honestly, I think custom runs are becoming some of the most interesting pieces anymore.  Sometimes better than what's is the catalog, lol.

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Honestly, I think custom runs are becoming some of the most interesting pieces anymore.  Sometimes better than what's is the catalog, lol.

I'm with Sean -  Custom runs present an opportunity to acquire local road names from the days of yesteryear..  Or, fill in that missing car in a consist.  I've purchased a number of custom items only because the item has local/reginal appeal.  I'd snap up any New Haven & Derby Railroad items, a spur line connecting New Haven with the Housatonic River Valley in the late 1800's.  Remnants of roadbed exists today along with cross bucks marking the long gone depot local in Orange or maybe it would have been the Tyler City stop.  Tyler City was a community envisioned but never built  I could use a name for the Yard I'm building:  I'm now thinking the Tyler City Yard.  Thank you Sean !!

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Honestly, I think custom runs are becoming some of the most interesting pieces anymore.  Sometimes better than what's is the catalog, lol.

Is there a centralized thread that throws out ideas for custom runs that dealers could also see and pick from? That way they could see interest levels from the community at large.

Some places don't even announce their custom runs till they come in or right b4 they come in.

@Prr7688 posted:

Is there a centralized thread that throws out ideas for custom runs that dealers could also see and pick from? That way they could see interest levels from the community at large.

There is not a centralized thread perse.  I would recommend if there is something you really find exciting, and you see an adequate tooling introduced in a new catalog that would fit the bill, then poll your circle of friends and then some to gauge interest.  If you think there is sufficient interest to build a business case, then find a dealer you purchase from regularly, or one you know well and pitch the idea to them and give them a gauge of the number of interested folks.  Unfortunately, at the end of the day a onesy/twosey interest will not make it to a special run, but you can reletter an undec or produced model.

This is a custom run from the TrainLoft in Winston-Salem NC. I think it’s cool that the name is “Osceola” instead of Hiawatha. That is quite fitting for a Southeastern railroad like the ACL that ran into Florida. Also, the name “Dixie Flyer” is painted on the nose. This is a stunning locomotive. Apparently there will be matching Atlas passenger cars to go with it sometime in the future.

@Steam Loco Greg posted:

There is not a centralized thread perse.  I would recommend if there is something you really find exciting, and you see an adequate tooling introduced in a new catalog that would fit the bill, then poll your circle of friends and then some to gauge interest.  If you think there is sufficient interest to build a business case, then find a dealer you purchase from regularly, or one you know well and pitch the idea to them and give them a gauge of the number of interested folks.  Unfortunately, at the end of the day a onesy/twosey interest will not make it to a special run, but you can reletter an undec or produced model.

Greg is 100% spot on.  There's a million projects out there with onesy/twosey interest.  But that isn't enough to go forward if a project is supposed to be financially viable.  Follow Greg's advice, gather a group of people that are willing to put their money where their mouth is and take those guaranteed orders to the dealer/club of your choice to get it into production.  That's the way to get a custom run produced.

Stu

Legacy Station has added a 4-6-0 and Speeder for Eric's Trains.  Also a Donald Trump 2024 ES44AC.

@NCogaugefan posted:

This is a custom run from the TrainLoft in Winston-Salem NC. I think it’s cool that the name is “Osceola” instead of Hiawatha. That is quite fitting for a Southeastern railroad like the ACL that ran into Florida. Also, the name “Dixie Flyer” is painted on the nose. This is a stunning locomotive. Apparently there will be matching Atlas passenger cars to go with it sometime in the future.

It's not showing on their website anywhere.  How do these guys expect to get preorders if they don't advertise far and wide, much less even have it on their website???

@Brian DeFazio posted:

It's not showing on their website anywhere.  How do these guys expect to get preorders if they don't advertise far and wide, much less even have it on their website???

I would presume that Jeff hasn't updated his website yet for the ACL 4-4-2 but he will soon - He does have the custom run challenger and the 2 N&W triplex custom runs (Not sure how I feel about those...)

You can always call the store at 336-760-9817

@NOT LionelLLC posted:

Greg is 100% spot on.  There's a million projects out there with onesy/twosey interest.  But that isn't enough to go forward if a project is supposed to be financially viable.  Follow Greg's advice, gather a group of people that are willing to put their money where their mouth is and take those guaranteed orders to the dealer/club of your choice to get it into production.  That's the way to get a custom run produced.

Stu

To be honest - this seems very narrow minded. Not everyone has the same reach that others do in the hobby or speak directly with others besides on this forum.

A lot of individuals might have a similar idea but no way to communicate other than this forum. 

Train Loft has updated their website to include the ACL 4-4-2 Hiawatha.

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Honestly, I think custom runs are becoming some of the most interesting pieces anymore.  Sometimes better than what's is the catalog, lol.

As a test of various markets and ideas, please post which special runs were successful. Inquiring minds want to know.....

@Big Jim posted:

Mr. Muffin is offering an N&W #759 2-8-4. This is the NKP 2-8-4 that the N&W re-lettered Norfolk And Western for the last passenger run of the N&W's "Pocahontas". You might want to get your pre-orders in if you would like this one to be made.

If I haven't mentioned it before, there are two recordings out there of the 759 on N&W rails. "Berkshire on Blue Ridge" and "Berkshire To Shenandaoh". Segments of the last run of N&W's "Pocahontas" passenger train is recorded on "Berkshire on Blue Ridge". Along with this is the 759's ferry run down the Shenandoah Valley in freight service and recordings of it on the Erie Lackawanna.

I am hoping that Mr. Muffin gets enough orders for this one and it would be a big plus if he could Lionel to put the N&W Class J whistle in it too as used on the last run.

All the best to hobbyists/collectors who seek a special train as a custom run -- from somewhere. Meanwhile, some low-volume trains are available; for example, the Rock Island Peoria Rocket with passenger cars offered by Sunset Third Rail. I'm a RI collector/operator, so I had to have one! Pricey, but it's a treasure. Now a "shelf queen" on a wall shelf of my train room.  Shown resting on the middle shelf in this photo.  As I recall;, only 30 RI Peoria Rocket train sets were made; so I own 1/30th of the world's supply.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

@Big Jim posted:

I am hoping that Mr. Muffin gets enough orders for this one and it would be a big plus if he could Lionel to put the N&W Class J whistle in it too as used on the last run.

Well Jim since this run of Berks will have the latest Lionel features it should also come with the option to choose between 5 different whistles.

I would suggest to contact Lionel and kindly ask for them to add the N&W Passenger whistle to the assortment of whistles for this engine.

@M J Breen posted:

Well Jim since this run of Berks will have the latest Lionel features it should also come with the option to choose between 5 different whistles.

I would suggest to contact Lionel and kindly ask for them to add the N&W Passenger whistle to the assortment of whistles for this engine.

Maybe Mr. Muffin's voice would carry more weight in this matter as he is the one (hopefully) having this version made. I am not totally against the idea, however, it seems my voice falls on deaf ears.

Train World has a custom run ES44 Conrail Heritage #1999 available for pre-order on their website, but has yet to reveal any artwork.

They also have an RBP Trains MKT The Katy SW8 with artwork.  

We have finalized our list of custom runs!

Here is a video overview of our custom run lineup: https://youtu.be/mJEux5RguBk?si=gadkpwI01nin8asu

All of these items are on our website available for preorder (except woodside reefer which will be added soon). We are still waiting on catalog images for several pieces but have finalized all designs. We will post separately with more information about each custom run.

The options are as follows:

Lionel 2431870 BRADY'S CUSTOM PENNSYLVANIA VISION TRIPLEX #1870

Brunswick green color with period striping and unique PRR Triplex logo!

https://bradystrains.com/produ...870-preorder-limited

Lionel 2433850 Brady's Train Outlet CSX Custom Chessie Heritage LEGACY SD45 #8908

"Spirit of Fred" with graffiti Chessie System nose

https://bradystrains.com/produ...ale-preorder-2024-v1

Lionel 2431980 Norfolk & Western LEGACY H7 2-8-8-2 #2402

Maroon striping and dogbox tender!

https://bradystrains.com/produ...2-8-8-2-2402-limited

Lionel 2431950 Central New Jersey Blue Comet 4-6-0 #168 with 6 Woodside Passenger Cars

Highly detailed consist with gold accenting! There are so many great details on this set, many are highlighted in the video

If you want to order these cars separately, you must preorder soon. Otherwise the cars and engine will be sold as a set, no exceptions.

https://bradystrains.com/produ...-custom-run-preorder

Lionel 2426950 Turner Dairy Brady's Train Outlet Custom Milk Car 2 sided

Local to the Pittsburgh area!

https://bradystrains.com/produ...car-limited-preorder

Lionel 2426860 Union Pacific UP TOFC Flatcar with 20' Trailers

https://bradystrains.com/produ...ded-limited-preorder

Lionel 2426840 Pennsylvania Lines / PRR Vision N6B Cabin Car Caboose #44113

https://bradystrains.com/produ...ose-limited-preorder

2426880 PRR Woodside Reefer #11243

(waiting on final art and site upload!)

Preorder now with a small deposit to ensure availability! Several of these items are expected to go fast, including the Turner Milk Car and the Blue Comet consist. Available in very limited quantities!

Call the store to place a preorder 724-838-8448. Email bradystrains@gmail.com with any questions!

A bunch more of Lionel exclusive engines on Grzyboski's Trains website.

@shorling posted:

I'm with Sean -  Custom runs present an opportunity to acquire local road names from the days of yesteryear..  Or, fill in that missing car in a consist.  I've purchased a number of custom items only because the item has local/reginal appeal.  I'd snap up any New Haven & Derby Railroad items, a spur line connecting New Haven with the Housatonic River Valley in the late 1800's.  Remnants of roadbed exists today along with cross bucks marking the long gone depot local in Orange or maybe it would have been the Tyler City stop.  Tyler City was a community envisioned but never built  I could use a name for the Yard I'm building:  I'm now thinking the Tyler City Yard.  Thank you Sean !!

@shorling,

Steve,

Like you, I live near the route of the New Haven & Derby Railroad, occasionally pass by the crossbucks in "Tyler City," and would buy any special run locos or cars of the NH&DRR. So, I hope you can convince someone to offer them. But, nowadays, it seems to me that there's not much being made even for the New Haven Railroad, so the New Haven & Derby is probably too much to expect...

MELGAR

In case anyone is interested, The Train Loft just announced a new Lionel H-7 2-8-8-2 custom run:  The Big Chessie (same color scheme as the Greenbrier #612). along with custom hopper cars.

http://www.trainloft.com/

Legacy station is doing an spaceforce ET44