Lionel Catalog 2023 Volume 1 is up! Whadaya Getting?

@Dan VM posted:

The Area 51 hot metal car and barrels for sure. Maybe the Area 51 diner. I will probably wait for a video of it before I pull the trigger on that one. I was hoping they would have the lighted green track sold separately. Maybe next time. 👽

Yeah, probably grab that new add-on car for the Set myself. I bought the Area 51 Set two years ago and really think it makes a fun set as an alternative to my main layout. I picked up the add-on Nuclear Waste Disposal flat they did that year also.

Agree on the green lighted track. Lionel has never offered it for separate sale, but I managed to buy another loop of it from a guy doing a set break up.

Stock cars with Squilling Sheep, but where is the Squilling Ompa Loompa Car with the Wonka Set?

Jim

@Brian DeFazio posted:

Man you guys complain over everything!  I think this is one of the best and most diverse catalogs (in that there is something for just about every level of modeler) I have seem from Lionel.   Homerun in my opinion!  And way too many great choices to choose from (and no that's not a complaint)!  DECISIONS, DECISIONS.....

I keep thinking the same thing haha this is a solid catalog in terms of every level being available!

For the era I model (late 1940s/early 1950s) and roads I buy (ATSF, SP, UP) there isn't anything I don't already have. I've got a UP Big Boy (last Premier run with PS3) and ATSF 2900 Northerns (two Premier with PS3) so I see no need to buy the latest Vision Line/Legacy versions of those. Scale freight for what I model was limited as well.

However I am considering ordering Frisco 1630. I've seen/ridden behind it so many times I've lost count. I'm actually shocked it too this long for it to be produced, since it's the only running Russian Decapod.

I was surprised when I saw the individual LionChief FT engines, but wasn’t surprised there was only a freight Santa Fe listed.  Since these are listed with a switch to turn sound on/off, offering a war bonnet version would have made it possible to have two powered units on the Santa Fe Super Chief set provided the electronics are fully compatible.  Worst case, buy two and swap the shell on one with the shell from the original SC set engine.  Have to wait and see if anyone offers a custom run of this engine in SFSC livery.  The Christmas FT is a definite probability, the Christmas bobber caboose might have made the cut but the graphics aren’t appealing, paint one like the FT and that could change.

Another thought was a PRR and a NYC back to back for a very early Penn Central consist.  

Looking through the catalog again might turn up other items of interest but the FT engines stood out during the initial perusal.

The 1938 20th Century Limited set looks pretty good in the drawings.  I would not buy it until I see what is actually produced.  I would like it to be accurate to the prototype, but we will not know that until we see the actual models.

Am I the only one a bit miffed that there were no offerings to go with the Class As? Unless I missed something!

@Brian DeFazio posted:

Man you guys complain over everything!  I think this is one of the best and most diverse catalogs (in that there is something for just about every level of modeler) I have seem from Lionel.   Homerun in my opinion!  And way too many great choices to choose from (and no that's not a complaint)!  DECISIONS, DECISIONS.....

Well Brian, maybe there’s a lot to complain about. And that’s usually the problem with the Vol. I Big Book, it’s TOO diverse, trying to offer everything to everybody. It’ll be interesting to see how much of all this stuff actually goes into production.

As a western roads guy, there’s really not much in it for me. Hopefully, maybe Vol. II will offer something more worthwhile.

By the way, why don’t you lose that done-to-death, everybody-has-one Fender Telecaster and learn to play a real guitar, like a Fender pedal steel? (I play a Fender PS 210.)

One feature addition I would like to see on the FT engines is a switch to set the engine to run the opposite direction from another engine to allow back to back operation without having to make any modifications to the engine wiring.  There are hobbyists who have no desire to open their engines for any reason.

The Amtrak E8s are a must have for me. When the MrMuffin's custom run came out a couple of years ago all were gone in 2 weeks. I will make sure I get them this time.

Big catalog!

on first glance, I'll bet wonder woman's invisible jet car sells as a good novelty!

For me I see a few things to like,

PPLX hoppers, but there are already some of those on the market,

The Frankenstein gateman house is probably a buy for me, and maybe the starlight diner from the area 51 stuff.

The biggest one is the lionchief RDG 1251 shop switcher.  I need to look at it versus the real deal, but it certainly grabbed my attention.

Biggest miss to me is finally bringing out another use of the lighted fastrack but only in curved sections.  The could sell this stuff with the green lights from area 51 if the offer it.  ( If you missed it, look at the Polar Express misc offerings)

@jhz563 posted:

Big catalog!

on first glance, I'll bet wonder woman's invisible jet car sells as a good novelty!

I'm surprised the price doesn't reflect the cost of the invisible jet. 

@MartyE posted:

I'm surprised the price doesn't reflect the cost of the invisible jet. 

With what they want for a flatcar with a paint job I thought the jet was reflected in the price!

I am getting peace of mind that my credit card debt will not increase as a result of this catalog. 

Thank God!

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

Am I the only one a bit miffed that there were no offerings to go with the Class As? Unless I missed something!

You're not the only one miffed. I was miffed when they cataloged the VL Class A last year without doing a N&W coal train set. That would have been great to see. But that opportunity has come and gone, for now anyway.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Well Brian, maybe there’s a lot to complain about. And that’s usually the problem with the Vol. I Big Book, it’s TOO diverse, trying to offer everything to everybody. It’ll be interesting to see how much of all this stuff actually goes into production.

As a western roads guy, there’s really not much in it for me. Hopefully, maybe Vol. II will offer something more worthwhile.

By the way, why don’t you lose that done-to-death, everybody-has-one Fender Telecaster and learn to play a real guitar, like a Fender pedal steel? (I play a Fender PS 210.)

I LOVE pedal steel.  One of my favorite instruments in a band.  Not enough steel players these days.  We had a pedal steel player for a while and I miss it!  I won't say his name, but if you listen to The Carpenters version of Desperado, that was the same guy we were lucky enough to have had with us for a few years.  As for the Tele, I play that for fun at home, but I'm a bass player in reality. 

I'm wondering why all of the other ES44s are offered with a Superbass option, but not the KCS units - I've got plenty of KCS power - would've been nice to have these as Superbass.

@Brian DeFazio posted:

I LOVE pedal steel.  One of my favorite instruments in a band.  Not enough steel players these days.  We had a pedal steel player for a while and I miss it!  I won't say his name, but if you listen to The Carpenters version of Desperado, that was the same guy we were lucky enough to have had with us for a few years.  As for the Tele, I play that for fun at home, but I'm a bass player in reality.

Awesome, Brian. I was just kind of razzin’ ya about the Tele. It’s a great guitar with a noble history. About every famous country singer has played one. I started out as a bass player too (Fender Jazz Bass) in high school. Then learned to play the steel while living in Hawaii. Many think we’re an endangered species. 😉

Keep up the good work. 👍

@MartyE posted:

Rick I agree.  That is a nice train but those 21" passenger cars just don't work for me and the fact that between the PE, Tri-Polar, and the Santa Shay I have enough Christmas trains.  But 100% agree it is an eye catcher.

I won't be buying it either, but I think that E8 is the nicest thing in the catalog!

I liked the Scale Legacy E8AA with optional passenger set and Camelback with optional freight cars and caboose for Christmas. I do wished Lionel would put the Scale Christmas items in the Scale Section of the Catalog. My thoughts are my budget will only allow the Legacy Christmas Camelback and cars.

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

Am I the only one a bit miffed that there were no offerings to go with the Class As? Unless I missed something!

No!!!

Not sure if anyone caught this, but they snuck a new 3" FasTrack straight into the catalog... I guess for when a 1 3/8 + 1 3/4 just won't do. But I'm not complaining...the more track/fitter options, the better.

Back to the catalog...I don't see any purchases for me. I'm not ready for Legacy Steam (layout, or prices) yet. The Legacy Diesel offerings don't quite hit the spot, either. I have the NYSW SD40T-2 on order - runs through my backyard, had to have that one... I have a few LC2.0+ items, which I like, but I think I'm done with that line for now and will be making my transition to Legacy. We'll see - maybe Volume 2. I guess I also need to study the offerings from the last several years to see if there is anything to add to my "list".

@raising4daughters posted:

I noticed that as well. The Lionchief line (not Plus) was chock full of options for the entry-level buyer which, I hope, indicates a healthy hobby. Lots for family's seasonal setups or those wanting the simplicity of limited remote control. Not for me, but good for the hobby methinks.

As a traditional-sized/semi-scale guy, the offerings are limited again. Not a complaint, I get it, we are a minority compared to Legacy/scale group on one end and the Lionchief toys on the other.

I will definitely be buying the Pacemaker Merchandise Operating Car.

Limited offerings for traditional-sized/semi-scale guys are anything but limited, actually. There's everything you'd ever need in the MPC/LTI secondary market. Scroll though a Greenberg's book, look through the hundreds of items shown, and you probably can find the majority of them. Don't want remote control in your engines? Again, it's no problem finding gorgeous traditional/semi-scaled conventional engines in the secondary market.

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

Vision N8 seems kinda cool. I always liked the old TMCC Crewtalk cabooses.

I looked with interest at the LC plus 2 Pennsylvania Mikado shown in the new catalog to go with my Pennsy TMCC Crewtalk caboose, but then realized, according to commentary in a thread on this not too long ago, TMCC Crewtalk cabooses won't interact (or at least not well) with non-TMCC/RailSounds engines. Lionel did the same Pennsy Mikado with TMCC and RailSounds some years ago. Guess I'll have to search for one of those instead.

@Landsteiner posted:

Thankfully, there are still some relatively more affordable choices in sets, rolling stock and locos for those who need or want them.

Along these lines, I noticed that, a bit surprisingly, perhaps, the catalog contained many new offerings in the (relatively) inexpensive Standard O line of cars. These include a lot of boxcars, centerbeam flatcars, 50' boxcars, bulkhead flatcars, and a flatcar with stakes, among others. It appears Lionel feels there's a significant market for lower cost Standard O rolling stock.

The only new(?) item that interests me is the "glow-in-the-dark" barrel set; that or the plain brown barrel set. The Billups crossing is giving me some thought time and a building or two.

I’m SUPER miffed Norm & Big Jim!!!

To introduce a Vision Line engine and not back it up with cars is criminal. Maybe they can’t figure out how to paint Tuscan on a passenger car yet????? Lionel hasn’t made a 50s era coal hopper or caboose that I know of and that’s not right. 😡 Once again N&W finished last.

Not sure if I will be able to get any of this stuff this year (or anytime soon), but there are definitely some things I want to get at some point. I did want to talk about a couple of pieces in particular; The Budd RDC's, which is a pleasant surprise, but I was actually hoping they would use the Postwar tooling with whatever LionChief they decided to use. Definitely looks like the MTH tooling, which is fine because they were nice-looking locomotives anyway, but just a tad disappointed that it wasn't original Lionel tooling. And then there are the Legacy GP-20's, which is great because I have no idea if anybody else has made scale and highly-detailed models of that locomotive in 3-rail. I know MTH had a Premier version that came out over 20 years ago, which then became a RK model, but that's the best example I can think of. I collect the MPC Lionel versions, and now they got a realistic scale model that would be nice to have too.

@ncdave posted:

I like the Milwaukee Road scale milk car on page 59.

Curious to see this car again, given that Lionel just did essentially the same car, cataloged 2020, at dealers for sale in 2021 and still available - the no. 82639.

I liked the glow in the dark barrels.

I might get one of the Mickey Mouse Handcars.

I really like the Pearl finish on the Mickey Mouse Passenger set also. Not enough to buy it though.

I might get that Central Pacific ready to run set. I wonder if they will do some add on cars down the road...

I really like that Rock Island Passenger set also. Way too much for me price wise but I do like it.

I think it’s an excellent catalog. Not much motive power in the roads I collect, but a decent number of rolling stock, and some interesting accessories/buildings. Nice to see the Mel’s Diner tooling found a home; I expect to see some more former MTH operating accessories in future catalogs. The “Millard Filmore” president car gave me a chuckle, but who knows — maybe there’s a niche market for that.

Still no Legacy Hiawatha, so another year without needing to worry about the wife filing for divorce. 😉

leaning hard into the budd cars

The Topanga and Western needs passenger service but i'm gonna have to discuss things with my godparents first

my hopes are very low though for several reasons some of which i can't mention on this forum

also the T&W needs a 2-8-0 as well

@CyrilW posted:

I feel relief after reviewing it in the sense that there's nothing I have to have. I was worried I would "need" a bunch of stuff. Now I don't have to spend money that would get me in trouble... like $950 for four passenger cars. Honesty, I think my wife would flip if she knew how much these things cost. i don't think there would be anyway to justify it to her.

Not an uncommon issue!

And imagine dragging one of those $3,000.00 Big Boys through the front door.

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

I’m in for two Decapods at least. I was trying to decide which ones before the catalog stopped loading. Looks like they also got the N8 tooling.

My father told me about 3 locomotives pulling a 100 car ore train next to his house in North Weirton.  This would have been in the 1920's, I think.  Almost certainly these would have been Decapods.  So, count me in for 3 (short tender). 

Just kidding. 

I'm pretty sure they are the MTH tooling of the mid-2000s (which looks spectacular), but that's waaaay above my budget.  Plus I already have two 3rd Rail ones.

Norm, can't wait to see how you weather them.  Are you doing the short or coast-to-coast tender?

George

I am in for one of each in the later schemes. Are you saying I need at least 3?! Hmm..

I love that Legacy 4-8-4 that runs on o31 curves. It's nice that they offer a 34 inch long Legacy model that runs on tight curves.

I'm sure alot of the length is that large tender but really nice to have the option of an expensive high end model that will do o31.

It's longer than the Visionline Big Boy. Pretty cool.

Brad

I'm normally not into Christmas themed stuff, but I really like the Fezziwig Railroad camelback, rolling stock, and caboose.

@breezinup posted:

Not an uncommon issue!

And imagine dragging one of those $3,000.00 Big Boys through the front door.

Naw man imagine having to explain the big boy super set at 45 HUNDRED DOLLARS

Nelson Rockafeller probably looks at that thing and shudders

i imagine it'll play out like the end of home alone 2 where you'll be outside and your wife will see the order and go (insert name yell) YOU SPENT 45 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON A LIONEL TRAIN?! WE ARE DONE MISTER!!

I'm glad that I don't collect or run the modern stuff. The pricing is way out of my league. I'll stick with post & prewar.