Lionel Made in America Cars

Perhaps the next try will see Lionel contracting with Weaver who is alrady the largest decorator of Lionel cars in the United States.

I don't think Weaver works directly with Lionel but through third parties such as LCCA.

That would be the smart move but Weaver probably would tell Lionel to take a long hike on a short dock during price negotiations.

There is also RGS, I wonder who does their assembly / painting and is it done in the USA. They have some terrific looking rolling stock.

The question is: Would Weaver want the job? 

Do they have the capacity to deal with Lionel production?  Lionel has mentioned (grain of salt time) building American Flyer starter sets and other things here.  How much would the added load disrupt Weaver operations?

Rusty

I am hoping to buy two of the Christmas boxcars. Was checking the Justrains site and they were showing them as out of stock but were apparently accepting orders. Checked again yesterday and now get a "No product" response so looks like they have given up on receiving any.

Can't see spending $300 for two cars.

Ned

RGS are Lionel repaints, and I would believe the entire operation (which is relatively small scale when compared to a full issue from a major brand) is local.

-Dave

I would think almost certainly Weaver, and without a doubt RGS, would be in no position to accept the huge production requirements Lionel would need, without in essence creating whole new companies.

What has to be made in the USA are the Thrall Car and Pullman-Standard 86' Auto Parts Box Cars with double doors and quad doors. Make them in large numbers and make them operate on an O54 minimum curve. Find one company that will build the Thrall Car 86' Auto parts box cars and another company to make the Pullman-Standard 86' Auto Parts Box Cars in order to fill the orders faster.

Andrew

Interesting to note the 29980 Elvis Anniversary boxcar is also made in the USA. No mention about being USA made in the 2012 Volume 2 catalog. Saw them yesterday and the are in the new style Made in USA box.

To give everyone an idea of what "local" means in the WorldWideWeb, RGS is based in Old Forge, PA, a couple miles south of Scranton.

Could someone please make a list of which cars are Made In The USA?

Jack

My LHS, M.B. Klein, finally got them in this week, 30 of them, one was set aside for me, the rest were preordered.

I picked mine up tonight for $48, and see them selling for $250 on Ebay. 

The power of having a relationship with an LHS was quite evident tonight.

Nice car, watching it right now circling my Christmas tree.

I mainly collect MPC stuff, not because of quality, but because it was made here in the good ol' USA and it was made when I was growing up, although I played only with HO as a kid. I have a few 0-27 items from Asia, and they are better quality, but it would be nice to get more production over here, mainly because we need it. It was nice to read that Apple is going to making their computers over here again, Not sure which ones but it's a start. I'm really surprised that so many people don't care where there trains are made, as I have a very hard time buying them. And that goes for everything I buy, I am well aware of where it's made. Avoiding things that are made in China is next to impossible. I hope that company can keep it's doors open. It's tough out there if you are manufacturing anything.

Elvis car was also.

I posted a few days ago about contacting Lionel about the LRRC Christmas car. I asked about the rumor of the company that was producing the cars declaring bankruptcy, and if the product was going to be delivered in time for Christmas. I received a reply today. They said that with the bankruptcy, shipping times have been pushed back into next year, but they are going to fill all the orders placed for the product.

Mine showed up at the LHS last week, (picked up yesterday) $54 after taxs, great looking car, think I'll hang on to it.

2012 car is now here in the UK. Nice looking car this year. Going to wrap it up for the youngest from Santa. That's if I can keep the better half from putting it on ebay.

Regards 

Nick

I got an unexpected reply from LRRC responding to my simple question about the shipping status of the LRRC Christmas Car.  I had no idea all of this was going on at the time I asked.  I mainly inquired to make sure the charge cleared on my card since I had a recent bank theft.  Lionel stated the supplier had gone under and production was moved to a new location.  Delivery expected by March.  Seems to be the same story for the cataloged Christmas Car.  Wouldn't it be cool if the second run has red trucks.  First run becomes even more a hot item.

It makes the hobby just a little more difficult, but rewarding when you find what you want.

Actually got a free gift today from LRRC due to the delay of the Christmas Car.  An enclosed letter said that no more Made in USA cars will ship this year.  The remaining runs are being sent immediately to China.  But Lionel will still pursue Made in USA product and will locate other vendors.  So the Ebay prices on the made in USA Christmas cars may hold up.  As they will be the only ones for this year.  Personally the Kinkade car is my favorite although I am usually not a fan of his style, artistically and personally.

If you don't mind my asking, what did you receive?

I guess all of us who ordered the car are also going to receive the gift, but I'm curious and it might take a while for it to make it out here.

Sorry I left that detail out.  Its an embroidered Lionel baseball cap.  The higher quality variety...not the mesh type with a patch fused on.  Yes, everyone should get one.  For once in my life I am getting LRRC items first since the warehouse is 2 hours away.

Guys and gals... Reality check time!!!

All we need to do is look at the complete lack of any premium prices whatsoever that folks are now willing to pay for the "last" Lionel locomotive made in the USA... or even ANY Lionel item simply because it's made in the USA.  Stuff that was considered very rare in their day (i.e., MPC passenger set add-on diners and vista domes, #5712 reefers, just to name a few) are all but yawners nowadays, and they command no premiums whatsoever.  This is all a ploy by sellers hoping toy train enthusiasts will think they're adding something extraordinarily rare and/or valuable to their "collection".  

$200+ for this year's Christmas box car?  Absolutely absurd, and I'm sure the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank.  That price will never hold up over time... and folks probably won't even give these cars a second look in a couple of years -- if not sooner.  Might as well just light a match to those C-notes... what a waste!

If you got the car at a regular price, then just be glad and enjoy it for the sake of enjoyment -- not because you think it's something rare or super valuable.  'Cause it's just another "moment-in-time collectible"... nothing more.

David

I am in full agreement!  Don't be suckered into paying a ridiculous premium for something that you'll be able to get by this time next year for possibly less than the original selling price.  "Made in the U.S." will NOT be enough to make these cars valued collectibles.  It's great that Lionel is trying to move some production back to the homeland, but please exercise some common sense in buying things like this.

Thank you for the info.

Sounds pretty nice. I wouldn't buy one, but I'll enjoy having one.

$200+ for this year's Christmas box car?  Absolutely absurd,

LOL, as ole Barnum use to say there is a sucker born every minute.

I paid $49. But hey I guess the question if people will pay more for "Made in the USA" has been answered.

Seriously though I hope we see more Lionel USA made items. Hornby has brought some of it's production of Humbrol model paints back to the UK so it looks like a trend may be developing.

Regards

Nick

>>>>All we need to do is look at the complete lack of any premium prices whatsoever that folks are now willing to pay for the "last" Lionel locomotive made in the USA... or even ANY Lionel item simply because it's made in the USA.<<<

I received my Lionel baseball cap from LRRC today. Nice hat and a nice gesture from Lionel.

They both have their appeal...the last of the made in USA items stemming from the General Mills era of comeback.  And the attempt to use vendors to create a made in USA product.  In my book both are equally desirable aspects to collect.  Now if the next Chinese run of Christmas boxcars show up with red trucks as pictured...we will have even more to talk about.

My hat came Monday. I thought it was a nice gesture too.

So does this mean that the cars that didn't get produced or shorted will be being produced in the next few months to fill backorders and those who weren't able to get one? Or are those of us who didn't preorder basically going to get the shaft?

Jerry

Just catching up on this thread. Folks are really paying $200 for that Christmas boxcar?!  Why?

Incredible !

Because unsuspecting toy train enthusiasts are getting caught up in all the hype.  The sad reality is the sheer number that are now listed on eBay should show ANYONE how rare these cars are NOT!    I really don't understand people's gullibility sometimes.

David

The cars that come from China will essentially be a different product.

Maybe the Chinese version will be more rare than the USA version.

Gentlemen,

   I do not believe Weaver would want the job, unless on a very specialized limited basis.  Say one Christmas car a year and even then it might over whelm them.  Although I might start collecting Christmas cars again, if it were to happen.

PCRR/Dave

Does this (made in the USA) include the Angela Trotta Thomas cars?

I found one car that I really liked that being the Santa Claus and Coke Christmas car. Very nice and while I paid retail it supported my local hardware store that carries Lionel and I was happy to get one. While it is a shame that the company folded things do happen and I would suggest just waiting a while and those that missed out will likely find one in the future. Not fun right now but things happen.

Its my understanding that all orders will be filled. However, we may not see the remaing cars until March. March is better than never. 

Interesting that this years Lionel employee Christmas cars (6-29972) were also made in the USA.

From the different post that I have read on this forum pertaining to e-mails received from Lionel, I don't put to much faith in their e-mails. I'm not sure the employees at Lionel know exactly whats going on.