I am sad to say that I just found the following in my email:
Dear Valued Customer,
We regret to inform you that Lionel's K-2 Brass Hybrid project was unable to generate enough interest from customers to produce and therefore we are postponing production to a future date TBD.
Your open order(s) will be canceled as a result.
We assure you that no charges will be made to your account and we offer you our sincerest apologies for this inconvenience.
Thank you,
The Lionel Customer Care Team
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Was it....
1)The fact it was only offered through the Lionel Store?
2)The issues with some of the gearing on their current offerings?
3)Many people still don’t know what a Class K is?
Scott Smith
I think it was just too obscure of a prototype. Not enough people that really cared about the difference between the K-2 and the widely available J.
My two cents.
MichRR714 posted:I think it was just too obscure of a prototype. Not enough people that really cared about the difference between the K-2 and the widely available J.
I agree. How about a brass hybrid New York Central Hudson?
MELGAR
No surprise here. It was just not unique enough to purchase. That's ok. I here a new hybrid is soon to be released.
Also, I think that Third Rail offering a brass K a few years ago probably soaked up some of the market for those who wanted this specific prototype.
There's a reason 3rd Rail still has K2s in stock after like 5 years.
If they did a PRR loco such as a PRR k3 and the N&W version That would have sold! Why? Because PRR sells plus no one has done a PRR K3 in o gauge and minimal in 2rail brass
scott.smith posted:Was it....
1)The fact it was only offered through the Lionel Store?
2)The issues with the current brass Hybrid.
3)Many people still don’t know what a Class K is?
Scott Smith
What are the issues with the currrent brass hybrid?
scott.smith posted:Was it....
1)The fact it was only offered through the Lionel Store?
2)The issues with the current brass Hybrid.
3)Many people still don’t know what a Class K is?
Scott Smith
Scott,
Item 2) the issues with the current brass Hybrid - did not know there were any major problems. From what I read they were pretty well received. Can you elaborate?
Reason it was cancelled there are just so many streamline steam engines you can own, 611 J N&W, SP GS4 Daylight, maybe one or two others but then it is nothing. Just my opinion.
JohnB
Yes, I just received my email of the cancellation of the Brass Hybrid K2 N&W 123 just minutes ago...I agree with Melgar above, offer us the New York Central Hudson like the VL Hudson....One good thing about finding out this news now, it frees up some monies to pre-order some new items from the New Lionel Wish Book, also introduced officially today. Wow.....(There are some nice newly offered N&W J’s to think about)...Happy Railroading.
Maybe I getting those issues mixed up with another locomotive.
Scott
leapinlarry posted:Yes, I just received my email of the cancellation of the Brass Hybrid K2 N&W 123 just minutes ago...I agree with Melgar above, offer us the New York Central Hudson like the VL Hudson....One good thing about finding out this news now, it frees up some monies to pre-order some new items from the New Lionel Wish Book, also introduced officially today. Wow.....(There are some nice newly offered N&W J’s to think about)...Happy Railroading.
As far as I can tell, the only Legacy Dreyfus Hudson ever made was the very expensive Smithsonian version. I thought it was a better candidate than the K2.
Will Ebbert posted:There's a reason 3rd Rail still has K2s in stock after like 5 years.
Yep- driver diameter is wrong.
Mebbe someone will try the modernized K-1....nah.
scott.smith posted:Maybe I getting those issues mixed up with another locomotive.
Scott
If that's the case, then your responsibility is to revise your first post on the subject.
There's already way too much uninformed hysteria.
rthomps posted:scott.smith posted:Maybe I getting those issues mixed up with another locomotive.
Scott
If that's the case, then your responsibility is to revise your first post on the subject.
There's already way too much uninformed hysteria.
You are absolutely correct. Change made.
Scott Smith
PRR k5
Nope... next Hybrid is going to be a western road...
scott.smith posted:rthomps posted:scott.smith posted:Maybe I getting those issues mixed up with another locomotive.
Scott
If that's the case, then your responsibility is to revise your first post on the subject.
There's already way too much uninformed hysteria.
You are absolutely correct. Change made.
Scott Smith
THANK YOU!! 
We have the 3 Rail N&W K-2a Instock.
http://www.3rdrail.com/instock.html#K2
Very nice all-brass model. No issues. Great pulling power, 2/4 Chuff synchronized smoke. Pittman Motor. ERR Cruise, Railsounds, remote coupler and scale accurate dimensions.
$1199.95 + $40 S&H
Only a few left. When they are gone, they may be gone forever.
Why was it a slow seller? Because a K is not a J. That's all. Most modelers want mainline models on their layout. But N&W fans know a good thing when they see it. No N&W collection is complete with out a K-2a Streamlined Mountain.
Scott Mann
To add to Scott Mann's post above, I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of 3-Rail "Toy Train" folks don't know what an N&W K class locomotive was, and upon seeing the photos in the Lionel catalog probably assumed that since "It looks just like the N&W J, which I already have, I really don't see the need for that model.".
Rider Sandman posted:As far as I can tell, the only Legacy Dreyfus Hudson ever made was the very expensive Smithsonian version.
Santa Fe 3751 posted:Rider Sandman posted:As far as I can tell, the only Legacy Dreyfus Hudson ever made was the very expensive Smithsonian version.
So, the tool exists (or at least did) to finally make one in Legacy. Cool. Maybe one day....
scott.smith posted:Was it....
1)The fact it was only offered through the Lionel Store?
2)The issues with some of the gearing on their current offerings?
3)Many people still don’t know what a Class K is?
Scott Smith
I spoke with Scott Mann at York about this. He said "he wished that Lionel had spoken to him first". I think your answer is:
4) 3rd Rail already did the K2a, and they're still available; for a fraction of what Lionel was asking for their hybrid.
I have a 3rd rail model and it is excellent. Not saying that the Lionel would not have been great. But only a N&W wonk will recognize that the K2a is different than a J. It's a 4-8-2, with a riveted tender, air pumps shrouded on the fireman's side, and scale 6' shorter than a J. But it's got the bullet nose and Tuscan / Gold stripe just like a J. None survived. And the J's have been offered extensively, by almost everyone. Everyone knows the 611.
I would challenge Lionel to offer a hybrid of one of the MANY never-offered N&W prototypes. A few could be S1a, K1, Z1a and b, W2. I'd be a buyer for all the above.
MichRR714 posted:If they did a Milwaukee streamlined Pacific "The Chippewa" I'd definitely buy one
That would have been a great engine to produce. I'm sure a ton of orders would have been placed (mine included). The choice of the N&W K2 had a lot of people scratching their heads. The K2 was just too redundant. I thought about this again when I saw another batch of more scale Js listed in the new Lionel catalog released today.
I think a lot of folks would like to know, out of curiousity, what the reasoning was used by whomever was responsible for the K2 decision at Lionel!
I really did not want it anyway on second thoughts.
I thought it was an odd choice from the beginning. I was all over the SF mikado, no interest in the K2 especially when the selling point of the Brass Hyrbid was extra detail...so naturally Lionel chose a streamlined engine 
Surefire posted:I thought it was an odd choice from the beginning. I was all over the SF mikado, no interest in the K2 especially when the selling point of the Brass Hyrbid was extra detail...so naturally Lionel chose a streamlined engine
In reflection, I wish I would have picked up the hybrid ATSF mikado. I was frustrated that my dealer got cut out, so I passed. I’ve been waiting for a Legacy ATSF steamer for a few years and should have bought it. Other than the hybrid, I don’t think there has been a Santa Fe Legacy steamer since the Northern’s.
There’s absolutely a million choices for a great brass hybrid & I was scratching my head on the K2 decision as well. Here’s my die-cast brass hybrid wish list in no order of priority:
PRR k3 or K5, PRR and/ or LIRR G5, SP pre-war cab forward on a 2-6-6-2 or 2-8-8-2 chassis.
Erie triplex. I’m thinking Lionel might be able to use the 2-8-8-2 frame. They would just have to take a 2nd set forward 8-2 wheels and attach it behind the 2nd set of 8 wheels.
A couple of corrections:
Even though the K2 was not a J, it was indeed a Main Line locomotive that hauled ALL of the N&W's varnish!
It is the BL feedwater heater that is shrouded on the fireman's side, not the air pumps.
I think this is why BTO pays off. Dealers aren't stuck with non movers. I know this was a direct deal but I'm just making a point.
Rider Sandman posted:Surefire posted:I thought it was an odd choice from the beginning. I was all over the SF mikado, no interest in the K2 especially when the selling point of the Brass Hyrbid was extra detail...so naturally Lionel chose a streamlined engine
In reflection, I wish I would have picked up the hybrid ATSF mikado. I was frustrated that my dealer got cut out, so I passed. I’ve been waiting for a Legacy ATSF steamer for a few years and should have bought it. Other than the hybrid, I don’t think there has been a Santa Fe Legacy steamer since the Northern’s.
Atsf 2 8 8 2 with legacy is a great engine... it was out several years ago now, but you can find them in auctions...
scott.smith posted:Was it....
1)The fact it was only offered through the Lionel Store?
2)The issues with some of the gearing on their current offerings?
3)Many people still don’t know what a Class K is?
Scott Smith
Ya'll know my take on things like this...it's because it doesn't say PRR, NYC, or ATSF on the side. Somewhere, somehow, manufacturers were convinced nobody models the other RRs.
In the past 25 years that I've been in O scale, the 3rd Rail model of this beautiful engine is the only offering I can recall.
If I had wanted one, I would have tried to find a 3rd Rail version.
Big Jim posted:A couple of corrections:
Even though the K2 was not a J, it was indeed a Main Line locomotive that hauled ALL of the N&W's varnish!It is the BL feedwater heater that is shrouded on the fireman's side, not the air pumps.
Jim, I stand corrected. That's probably why we were able to sell almost 250 of these. Well, 244, we have 6 left in 3 Rail. Let me also share that Big Jim has been a huge help on anything N&W we have made in the past. THANK YOU.
Scott Mann
Big Jim posted:A couple of corrections:
It is the BL feedwater heater that is shrouded on the fireman's side, not the air pumps.
I stand corrected as well for the equipment under the shrouding. On behalf of 3rd Rail, I hope those remaining six K2a's get snapped up. It's a great model.
For me one of the main reasons I didn't order was the fact I couldn't order them through my dealer. Money is tight at the moment and I could have starting paying for my K in advance. That is not an option buying from the Lionel store.
I would have loved having a K with better Railsounds. That was the biggest things Lionel brought to the table vs. the Third Rail Model. I really love my Third Rail K.
Since I already had a brass K, the fact that this one is not diecast was an additional reason not to buy. It's not like Lionel needed a brass model for additional detail. It's a streamlined locomotive folks. I have be extra careful with brass, my son as careful as he is with trains has damaged a few.
Scott Smith
Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:PRR k5
I would be in for one BUT it looks SO close to a K4. The PRR K3 N&W E3:
I just could not bring myself to order one of these because if i was gonna pull a N&W steamer off my shelf to run, it would be a 611 J... or Y6b... or Class A...
I would have preferred a non streamlined K with alot of DETAIL. This just is too close to a J for me... I LOVED the K before streamlining. Just my opinion, but if you are going for brass construction, use it for HIGHLY DETAILED subjects... not something slab sided and streamlined that would just appear like a cast piece.
The ATSF mikado is so great because of the super brass detailing...
So Lionel, we still love all the roadnames, its not that, just give us a brass hybrid that provides a level of DETAIL on the boiler that far exceeds our diecast models...
THANKS...
You N&W guys have it made, try finding an accurate DL&W in steam. So far we have 1 correct steam engine in O.
Alert: Only 4 left now...
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