Lionel B-6 in at Charles Ro.

Marty,

Can't wait to hear the report!

 

I'm sure they'll be incredible.

Sidebar Question

Hi Marty - I remember OGR Forum Members last week talking about the sales tax free weekend in Massachusetts. Did you use this weekend for your model train hobby?

If so, what were the deals.

Gary

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway

Gary, I did not go near the store as I was told by Chuck that it was very busy.  I threw that post out last week to remind guys.  I do  the Legacy/TMCC and DCS repairs for Charles Ro.  Nothing I needed was available that weekend.  I am very excited to get the new B-6 as I did see one operate when I was young.

 

Charlie always has great deals on everything.  We are lucky today to have so many great train stores to deal with.  I always thought the bigger stores were in the Northeast region of the country.  Last year our friend Larry Brown took us to Eastside trains in Kirkland Washington.  Words can not state how great that store is.  WOW.

Is it the K-Line, or the original Lionel?

Hi Marty - Thanks for all the information. I usually talk to Butch at Charles Ro.

If my memory is correct. C.R.S.

Gary

• Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway

Thanks Marty. I got an email today with my tracking info so mine is on the way too.

I place almost all my preorders with Charles Ro. The prices are fair and as soon as they come in I get an email with tracking info.  As it should be. Love it.

I hope to visit the store someday.

I am happy that Ro is a forum sponsor and I really appreciate the way they do business.  No nonsense, get it done, pros.

As for the B6, I can't wait to see it!

Ben

Ben, as soon as the item arrives at the store, all notices get sent out within  a short time. 

 

 

 

The first of Lionel's "new" 2015 scale steamers arriving is nice news, and even though I didn't order one, I have a feeling they'll be wonderful.

Marty, thanks for the news, I have wanted one of these with Legacy for Years. Hopefully my dealer will call me Soon....Happy Railroading..

Got my tracking email today!  I ordered one in the Polar RR livery, so this is arriving well before it needs to make its maiden voyage! 

 

David

Got my shipping notification email today, it's supposed to get here Tuesday.  Will post photos/video upon arrival.

Got my tracking nuber today. Will receive it tomorrow from Charles Ro. Great service as always!!!

Yes, Charles Ro is first rate for mail order. 

I googled it and answered my own question.  Using the original Lionel dies, and on sale for $400.  If these things come with all the stuff you guys want for that price, I shall resume my quest for the 1990s version to 2-rail.  I love those old switchers.

Here is my 1940 version.  The bell still rings (all the time on my DC 2-rail loop).

 

 

 

K Line B6

Click on the triangle for a video.

Please post photos when you get it, Marty.

Nifty little loco. Anxious to see a new one.

That is great news. My brass williams version is still in the park!

 

 

Looking forward to seeing it; the B6 has always been one of my favorites.

Me too... Which is why I ordered this version.  The last one i owned was from 1990, but I sold it during a very early round of collection-thinning a few years ago.  As i recall, it was a scale piece -- except for the fact that the locomotive's backkhead was unfinished with wires and screw terminals quite visible.

 

With Legacy electronics in this version, slow-speed operation should be real smooth, and sounds should be super-sweet.  Bu at an MSRP of $700 and pre-order street-price around $560, Lionel was pushing the limit of what I was willing to spend.    Above $600 and it would have been a deal-breaker.  After all, just last year I snagged the Polar RR K-4 WITH whistle-steam for less than $550 on blow-out.  Thank goodness for dollar-cost-averaging!!!    Made things a bit easier to swallow this time around. 

 

David

 

I can watch your switching video everyday. Really have enjoyed it.

 

As I'm sure it was for many folks.  Going forward, I wish Lionel (and other importers as well) all the luck in the world with future price increases, 'cause they're leaving LOTS of folks behind if they think they can just increase prices willy-nilly each year "just because".

 

The reality is... most of us have more model trains than we'll ever need in three lifetimes let alone one.    Combine that little fact with continuing unfavorable buyer demographics (i.e., we're ALL getting older), and we have all the built-in "checks and balances" that should keep prices from escalating exponentially. 

 

At current $590 street-prices, that's already a TON of $$$ for a little switcher locomotive.  I wonder how many would sell on this forum at that price! 

 

David

I just went searching for the thing - Graham's Trains lists it at $400, and shows a photo, but it is a fake job - "no items available".  So I must have been looking at an ad and price from 1990.  Too bad.

RM,

 

     When K-line's B6 came out it had a list price of $599.99, Lionel's B6 has a list price of $699.99. With Legacy, 4 Chuffs and better smoke I am not that disturbed about the increase over K-lines list. I got a great early buy price of $575 and ordered the PRR 5244 engine. I waited too long to decide and get the Legacy K4 so I did not want to take the chance of missing out on the B6s. Now I have two Legacy K4s and soon to have a B6. Life can't get any better than that.

     Hope you enjoy your Polar RR B6 as much as I plan on enjoying my PRR B6. By the way I do not consider myself rich (monetarily) and I do enjoy shopping for a bargain.

 

JohnB

This comment seems a bit childish to me. I may be a bit naive in my assumption, but I doubt that there's a boardroom of mustache-twirling businessmen sitting around trying to figure out how much money to squeeze out, getting a good laugh because it's within their power to "increase prices willy-nilly each year 'just because'". Foreign labor isn't as cheap as it once way, the cost of electronics must be considered, and don't forget the number of hands our models pass through before reaching us. One would expect price increases just from the yearly increases in costs of shipping alone....

 

Thats a steal compared to some of the last available VL reefers that went for $350-$400

Re: K-Line PRR B6b w/TMCC pricing:

 

Paid $430 in 2003. I looked it up on my inventory list. It is a dozen years later and the new one has more features, so ...

 

It's a neat engine. Enjoy the new one.

 

Bob

I just got home with the B-6.  Will post shortly.

Having a camera issue.  These are all I can put out now.  Hopefully someone will throw some out.  This engine runs excellent and smokes like a champ.  The sounds and operation are great.  Job well done Mike Reagan.

 

 

 

maybe Chas. will have a few at York?

Marty

Nice engine, Enjoy the ride!1

 

Marty,

   Good luck with your new switcher.

 

Tom

I think they look great, thanks for the pics guys.

And even more of a steal when compared to the VL tankers w/freight-sounds going for $800. 

 

It's all relative... but we don't need to be giving the pricing guys at Lionel any more ideas. 

 

David

Very nice, Marty!  Thanks for posting some pics.  Can't wait to see one of these in person.

 

David

Sweet little switcher Marty! I'll have to drop by and check it out.

 

That's OK, slugger.  You're entitled to your opinion too.  Lionel could price these at $995, and there would be a contingent here who would defend that price-point if it helped ensure Lionel would be around the following year to price them at $1095. 

 

David