Lionel CZ cars

I have been watching closely for the arrival of these cars.  They were originally scheduled for release in 2012, but that has since been "delayed" to May 2013.  The CZ cars (as catalog'd) are being released in 3 product offerings:  one D&RGW 4-pack, one WP 2-pack, and one CB&Q 2-pack.

When delivery of the cars slipped from 2012 into 2013, I was highly suspicious of the Lionel online shipping schedule that showed one of the 2-packs scheduled for Jan 2013 while the rest of the set was out in May 2013.  Not surprisingly, Jan 2013 has come and gone -- along with February and most of March -- with no delivery of the Jan 2013 two-pack.  So I'm suspecting that we'll see all three offerings together... at least we can hope, right??? 

Regarding the number of domes...  although the catalog depiction does NOT show a dome observation, I'm hoping that Lionel "gets it right" and delivers a dome observation -- much the way they did a prior CZ set produced as 15" cars.  The catalog graphics have been notoriously inaccurate of late -- as an example, look at the Milwaukee Road 18" cars which have also been repeated delayed.  It's not 100% clear how the solarium observation will look on that set, and the two-pack has 2 DIFFERENT graphics in different catalogs and/or website illustrations:  one depicting a "regular" vista dome and the other depicting the more prototypically correct "full" vista dome.

As frustrating as it has become, it's increasingly common for Lionel staff here in the States to have no "authoritative information" relative to how these items are ultimately being produced overseas.    Or if they HAVE such information, nobody is stepping forward to go "on record with any authority" to guide consumers.

Getting back to the CZ 18" passenger cars... I'm hoping that Lionel provides a generous mix of dome cars and sleeper cars in whatever train is finally produced.  Perhaps we'll even get a more accurate depiction of what is being produced in the upcoming Lionel 2013 Signature Catalog due out in mid-April.

David

Ugghhh...  

Update to my post above, after noticing Lionel recently updated the online shipping schedule on 3/20...

I just noticed the CB&Q 2-pack that had been listed for Jan 2013 is now showing June 2013... one month LATER than the 4-pack and other 2-pack still showing May 2013.  Perhaps Lionel will prove me wrong, but I think this is an omen that the whole set will be further delayed, and we'll ultimately see the entire set shipped together sometime in mid-2013.

When they ship, we'll know what we're dealing with then. 

David

I've pre-ordered the full set, and like David above, I am concerned that it may be several more months before they appear. I'm also awaiting the Milwaukee Road coaches. I have all of the locomotives for both trains. Hopefully at least one of these sets will appear while I am still able to enjoy them. 

The trickle out Atlas set made us not risk getting cars but no observation.

The Lionel set without a Vista Dome Observation will be a no go. Did not pre order because the catalog shows a regular obs...

I ordered the set but would like to see the dome observation as well but it is not a deal breaker. Besides I'm going to run steam on the head end, well most of the time anyway. 

Steam powering the CZ? Plus NO DOME OBSERVATION?

Good grief, man!!!

Lets see, I'm the CEO, CFO and its my railroad and I'll do want I want. I like steam engines and I have a GS64 but I also have ABBA rio grade and CB&Q F units. So which should I run, hmm! 

Btw I had enough of the rivet counting when I was into N scale where nobody has fun, I am at the age now I want to have fun. So there!!!

I've been searching but can't seem to find the correct Lionel catalogs that you are talking about.  So,what year are these CZ cars shown?

Norm

2012 vol. 1 signature catalog.

We all understand, that's why you see a westbound Blue Comet passing the eastbound Super Chief on our layouts. What we don't understand is why Lionel does foolish things for no reason. (Like brown PRR round roof cars, the California Zephyr without a Vista Observation, etc...)

I have already sent Lionel pictures and info on the CZ obs. Will they do it right, I doubt it but then again I already ordered the set. 

i love the atlas cars but they are just too big.

They "count rivets" in N scale? Heck, I can't even see the TRAINS in N scale, let alone the rivets!

I had enough of the rivet counting when I was into N scale where nobody has fun

Golly, I'll need to pass this tidbit along to several of my friends who have operating N-scale layouts.  Those dopes THINK they're having fun!

You guys know what I mean. Of course not everybody but believe me a vast majority. 

I don't know about some of you, but I never associated rivet-counting with not having fun.  I like to have models as accurate as possible and do research on the prototypes and analyze and compare details.  That's part of how I enjoy and have fun with the hobby.  Others have their own way of having fun that involves none of that, and that's fine also.

Having said that, I have to agree with Hot Water, having a steamer pulling a CZ???  Aaack!