Lionel catalog - disappointed in abridged print version

Having a print catalog might be important, but having paper to print it on is probably more important. A cooking magazine I subscribe to recently switched their insert cut-out recipe cards from gloss stock to regular paper due to the paper shortage. At least Lionel makes a catalog still. You could always buy gloss stock at your Office supply store and print out the online version yourself.

I don't buy into this paper shortage stuff.  Its a move to save $ on printing etc while promoting only high end BTO stuff.

JMO

I understand @Keith L, that we are in a vastly changing world and whether we like it or not, the computer is Winning. Climate change is Reality. My friend in Nashville got the hard copy of the volume 2 Lionel catalog and as always we went page by page considering what to buy??? You answered our Questions, why he couldn’t  see the products I was talking about, they simply weren’t in the catalog. Wow! So, as I’m getting older, retired and very happy, I’m going to learn the computer. At the same time, I’m learning how to navigate YouTube. We are senior Kids.
The OGR Forum is a great place to express One’s views and get other opinions. Your observation of the new catalog is important, now many folks can chime in. Thank you for bringing up this subject.
The LCCA, Lionel Collectors Club of America National Convention is beginning this weekend, so, I will be there and ask questions. I want to learn more about the new Cab 3 App/control system. Good Question, sorry paper catalogs are disappearing. Happy Railroading Everyone

I must be living under a rock. Aside from the hoarding of toilet paper,  I have never heard about a paper shortage except on this site. I have access to news that I am forced to watch on the news TV all day due to my job, and I have never heard them talk about a paper shortage. Many other shortages, but never a paper shortage.

If we have such a paper shortage, why is my mailbox full of junk mail every day???

The only paper shortage is the stuff with dead presidents printed in green on them!   LOL!

Did a quick search and found this short article, among others:

Paper shortage adds obstacles to magazine supply chain - Marketplace

Welcome to the 21st Century...

Rusty

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If we have such a paper shortage, why is my mailbox full of junk mail every day???

Because (and you likely know this), these are vastly different paper products.  Junk mail is printed on junk paper.  Catalogs, like the print version of OGR, requires high-quality, glossy paper.  And that is, indeed, in short supply.  Let Alan tell you!

Mark

While I am no longer directly involved in the printing and publishing of OGR magazine, I still do some of the IT and web work for OGR. In that capacity, I talk with Alan Arnold several times per week.

I can assure you that there is indeed a paper shortage. The cost for the paper used to print OGR has gone up three times already this year. So far OGR has absorbed those costs, but if the trend continues, Alan may have to make a change in the type of paper the magazine is printed on. The OGR printer (Quad Graphics) is big enough that they always have paper in stock, but the cost to get it is always rising.

With regard to a print vs online catalog, I cannot recall the last time I consulted a printed catalog to make a purchase. I know it was YEARS ago, and I’m fine with that. Searching an online catalog for something is a lot easier and faster than flipping through scores of pages hunting for what you want.

Gunrunner,

Consider yourself lucky.  We have a mailman shortage here.  Our neighborhood has received mail once in the last 14 days!

Jon

I don't mind the online versions, but I keep the printed ones for historical purposes.  I have every printed catalog from 1970 up to today.  I have used them many times to look up an old piece and find numbers or information.  Lionel doesn't keep any archive of all that great information.  When Flash was retired all those older catalogs were lost on their website. 

But I believe paper catalogs probably are going to be phased out in the not-too-distant future.

Luckily the catalogs they publish now can be downloaded in PDF versions. So, when paper finally goes away, we can keep our own archive.

If you don't like Lionel's viewer on their website, just download the pdf and it is very easy to read and navigate, resize on any device.

Change is a challenge. I prefer paper too (still get three newspapers in hard copy each weekday ).  I agree with the suggestion to download things you want to read in .pdf format. Can also read on-line in .html.  The key is to have a good resolution and large computer screen (at least 21 inch diagonal).  As an Apple Macintosh user, the screen is large and crystal clear on the desktops I use.  I'm sure similar monitors are available for Windows boxes, so spend the money on a good monitor is one thought.

@Landsteiner Yes, but Change is Constant, everything changes however sometimes its so subtle we don’t realize it. What I did was get an Apple I-Pad and this way I do not have to sit in front of a desk top computer. I recommend this device for capturing my E-mails, OGR Forum news, photo albums, Safari/Google, YouTube, it’s so handy, and that was a change that was well worth the money. You mentioned news papers? As a boy I used to throw newspapers daily, but I’ve never ever subscribed to any newspaper, to this very day. All the news is right here on my I-Pad…. I seldom use my computer. Happy Railroading Everyone

You are absolutely right Larry.  My comments were for someone who wants a hard copy experience using a device. To me the smaller screens of the laptop and tablets are less easy to use (although the iPad has fantastic clarity).  Hence the recommendation to get a large, high quality monitor if you want to mimic reading a catalog or newspaper on a device.  The bigger the better.  Or use a high quality TV screen if you want to lay down .

@leapinlarry posted:

What I did was get an Apple I-Pad and this way I do not have to sit in front of a desk top computer. I recommend this device for capturing my E-mails, OGR Forum news, photo albums, Safari/Google, YouTube...

Actually, I prefer to set in front of that desktop so that things are large enough to easily read on the screen.   Having a real keyboard and mouse is also key to the tasks.

My modern era train catalogs went in the recycling bin years ago.  It  was a space decision: trains or train catalogs.  Easy choice for me.  Today, the digital catalog availability precedes the paper.   After I finish browsing the digital I find I have little motivation to even unwrap the paper version.

Interesting topic. Times change. I still believe the paper catalog is a much more enjoyable experience than online. I also believe I look at it more, and purchase more product as opposed to a electronic only option.

Mostly, and more important I enjoy having my grandsons on my lap as we go through the  hard copy catalogs (for the 20th time) page by page and they dog-ear the pages indicating  that "Nonno must buy this one".

Paul - still partying like it's 1999 - Licata

"I enjoy having my grandsons on my lap as we go through the  hard copy catalogs "

In the mid-1980s I did the same with my older son with Marklin catalogs.

Just got my in the mail today. There NO 036 product line in it.

I will just keep my cash in my pocket in this one

There are too many things now-a-days to disappoint us.  Dont let your hobby disappoint you !

@Railrunnin posted:

Interesting topic. Times change. I still believe the paper catalog is a much more enjoyable experience than online. I also believe I look at it more, and purchase more product as opposed to a electronic only option.

Definitely true for me as well.

Mostly, and more important I enjoy having my grandsons on my lap as we go through the  hard copy catalogs (for the 20th time) page by page and they dog-ear the pages indicating  that "Nonno must buy this one".

Yup, me too.

Paul - still partying like it's 1999 - Licata

@Bob B posted:

Just got my in the mail today. There NO 036 product line in it.

I will just keep my cash in my pocket in this one

That would be incorrect, the Legacy Mogul's are in the hard copy catalog, as well as a host of Legacy diesels that will run on O36 curves.

@Bob B posted:

Just got my in the mail today. There NO 036 product line in it.

That's the point. The full catalog is only online. The print version only has the scale locomotives and two (?) premium sets. The "traditional" O gauge line--and even the scale rolling stock--can only be seen in the online version.

I will just keep my cash in my pocket in this one

I am into mostly steam and the best ones I have were mth scale railking line.

Nice engines for the price. Hoping for Lionel to have a similar product line.

"Hoping for Lionel to have a similar product line."

That would be the LionChief + 2.0 locos in most cases. Scale or close to scale. The 060T are at Charles Ro for about $300 at the lower end of the price spectrum. 

@Landsteiner posted:

The 060T are at Charles Ro for about $300 at the lower end of the price spectrum.

But 50% more than the same engine just two years ago!

"But 50% more than the same engine just two years ago! "

Which means the original pricing likely was set about a year before the pandemic, supply chain crisis, transport costs disaster, and general inflationary spiral that have all bedeviled the entire world.  Welcome to 2023 .  Still a good price, just not as big a bargain.

@Railrunnin posted:

Interesting topic. Times change. I still believe the paper catalog is a much more enjoyable experience than online. I also believe I look at it more, and purchase more product as opposed to a electronic only option.

Mostly, and more important I enjoy having my grandsons on my lap as we go through the  hard copy catalogs (for the 20th time) page by page and they dog-ear the pages indicating  that "Nonno must buy this one".

Paul - still partying like it's 1999 - Licata

With all the issues mentioned here on product color issues I'd guess a computer or phone aren't the devices to use and base a decision on?

@Keith L posted:

That's the point. The full catalog is only online. The print version only has the scale locomotives and two (?) premium sets. The "traditional" O gauge line--and even the scale rolling stock--can only be seen in the online version

So, the rule is. You can complain about the catalog online, but you can't view it online? 😆

@BobbyD posted:

With all the issues mentioned here on product color issues I'd guess a computer or phone aren't the devices to use and base a decision on?

The paper catalog uses the same "illustrations" as the online so the risk is the same.

@RickO posted:

The paper catalog uses the same "illustrations" as the online so the risk is the same.

But not the same color rendition accuracy.

@BobbyD posted:

But not the same color rendition accuracy.

I don't necessarily 100% trust printed catalog images for color accuracy.  The images of the models are the same be they on line or printed page, with most of the images of being of an unpainted unit with the color photoshopped on.

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

I don't necessarily 100% trust printed catalog images for color accuracy.  The images of the models are the same be they on line or printed page, with most of the images of being of an unpainted unit with the color photoshopped on.

Rusty

The images in the printed Catalog may be incorrect but that is what I'm expecting to be shipped both detail AND color wise. Any inaccuracies is on them because we have been told they use the Pantone color matching system.

I was at a dealer today. Forum sponsor. He had a stack of the 2022v2 catalogs on a shelf right next to a stack of 2021v1 catalogs. All free of charge. Maybe interest in the printed versions is driving the change as much as its cost.

@Rusty Traque posted:

I don't necessarily 100% trust printed catalog images for color accuracy.

Not sure I trust any color accuracy statements or pictures lately, too many misses.

If I were to pick up a free LIONEL TRAINS catalog at the local hobby shop, am I required to purchase something from the catalog at that same hobby shop?

Andrew

@falconservice posted:

If I were to pick up a free LIONEL TRAINS catalog at the local hobby shop, am I required to purchase something from the catalog at that same hobby shop?

Andrew

No hobby shop I've ever been in.  Lionel sends those to the shop specifically to hand out!  I even get several extras mailed to me from on-line sellers that I buy from.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If we have such a paper shortage, why is my mailbox full of junk mail every day???

You got that right 100% Gunrunner John! 90% of my recycling is junk mail! Sure doesn't seem to be any paper shortage especially with cable/internet and satellite/streaming services ads. I get something from each of them every couple days. Ridiculous! I've both called and sent return emails to be taken off their mailing lists with no results.🤬💩