Lionel Made in America Cars

       
       


Sadly, the responses from the Lionel talktous group are the absolute worst offenders of communicating mis-information.  It's pretty embarrassing, actually. 

David

For what it's worth, the Lionel Angela Trotta Thomas Christmas boxcars are at dealers. 

 

No, these are not the elusive "Christmas 2012" cars but they are very attractive and might make a nice alternative for some. They say "Christmas Morning" and feature the same illustration that appears on the 2012 Christmas catalog. 

True, remember when Talk To Us was telling folks that tubular track had been discontinued? I have seen on a few hobby shop websites that the Christmas cars will be available in March 2013 but I don't think there will be enough of a market then for Lionel to come thru. 

 

Jerry

That's been my feeling as well.  It seems like TTU's locked in a chamber in the basement, surrounded by a moat, guarded by a dragon, and communicates with Corporate by banging on the water pipes.

 

Rusty

Unless someone who has received theirs indicates it came in a Made in USA style box, the answer is no. 

 

This car did not indicate Made in USA in the catalog (but then, I don't think the Elvis car did either, and it apparently ended up being made in USA).

 

-Dave

Ah, yes! Thanks Trestrainfan for reminding me and the link. I had forgotten about that one. That's the Lionel car with theAmerican Flyer box art! I knew there was some reason why I had ordered one.

Glad to help.

I got a day after Christmas surprise from Charles Ro.  Before Christmas, a few boxcars arrived from Ro and the infamous Christmas boxcar had been marked out as shorted.  Well I bought one on Ebay for more $$..no regrets...a great dealer on there.  Well yesterday came a box from RO with the Christmas car in it for the $46 price.  It is quite stunning.  The silvery paint with the faint outlines appeals to me.  Its all painted...no decals...something Nolan did that was special.  So I ended up with two perfect Made in USA cars...put one back on Ebay.

Has anyone actually verified that Nolan Plastics & Manufacturing has declared bankruptcy? According to their website they appear to be alive and well.

http://www.nolanenterprise.com/contact.php

 

The only information that I was able to find was a comment from Bryler Junction's Facebook page. He posted the same comment from Dave Glatte from Heartland Hobby Wholesale.

I would be more convinced if I see something officially from Lionel or from Nolan.

 

Here is the only reference that I have seen where Lionel acknowledges that there may be an issue with their supplier. This came from the Lionel Facebook page.

 

posted toLionel Trains

I actually received official word from Lionel about their supplier and the future of Made in the USA. Here is their response on their Facebook page.

 

Can you actually confirm the status of Nolan Enterprises? Are they still in business and are they still your supplier for your Made in USA car series?

The LRRC letter mailed to those who ordered the LRRC Christmas car clearly stated that production was being moved to China ASAP.  It was a very candid and honest letter.  Possibly one of the most informative communications I have ever received from LRRC.

it really is the business of the company, the creditors and the stockholders.

 

Lionel has no stockholders. They are a portfolio for Guggenheim Capitol Management, a private entity.

Well, I can add this to the fire:

I picked up a Lionel Thomas Kincaid Boxcar this past weekend that has a Made in the USA sticker on the Box. It was in the display case at the LHS for the normal (Below MSRP) price.

I also picked up a full set of the Presidents cars at that time. (Also Made in the USA)

My dealer was kind enough to hold 2 sets of them for me when I couldn't afford them.

 

So look around folks, the Made in the USA  cars are out there if you want to send Lionel the message.

 

I Sent my message with my wallet. That's the Message they really see.

And If I find more Made in the USA cars, I will buy them as well.

If those cars do not fit my All Steam RR, then I have siblings I can Gift them to.

 

Support your LHS and Made in the USA products by buying those products in your LHS (assuming he can get them).

This will lead All the manufacturers to do more in the USA.

Money Talks Louder than all else in the Business world.

I Sent my message with my wallet. That's the Message they really see.

 

Well that is fine if you want one of those cars but that logic doesn't work for me. If my choise is a Kincaide boxcar made in the USA and there is a Northern Pacific boxcar made in China sitting next to it, the Northern Pacific boxcar is going out the door with me.

Mine took a little bit longer to come Charles Ro I just got mine yesterday with some other Christmas catalog items. And originally mine was marked as B/O on some stuff that came before Christmas. 

Interesting in that the China made 2012 Holiday boxcars will use 7-29976 as a PN

rather than 6-29976.

As the saying goes: "Holy thread revival Batman!"

 

Like many of you I've been trying to locate one of the '12 Christmas cars (I was able to obtain one but would very much like another).

 

The post above by ed h suggests we may have not seen the end of these cars; is that correct? Has there been any news about renewed production?

 

Thank you.

 

Ned

Thank you.

 

Ned

Is RGS STILL in business?

To Bill and anyone else that mistook my post;

I fully understand if you have no desire for a particular car, no need to buy simply because it is Made in the USA. For me, I run a Christmas train during the season, it is getting pretty large. If I have the choice of a Made in the US or China car, I will buy the USA car. If there is no USA made car, then I'll buy what I like.

But I prefer a Made in the USA product if it is even close to what I was looking for.

 

I do the same thing buying light bulbs. Sylvania now has a line of Made in USA bulbs. I buy them even tho they are a bit more money.

If we don't buy stuff made here, who is going to be working in another 30 years?

We can't all be in service industries.

Is RGS STILL in business?

 

Yep, booth in same location at York, some neat new stuff added to the inventory plus reconditioned madison passenger cars in the future.

Received a message from Trainworld on Saturday advising the car was now available and asking if I still wanted one.

 

Called them yesterday to say I did want it and received it today. 

 

It is, of course, one of the Made in China versions but at least my collection is up to date

 

Ned