Lionel New Hope & Ivyland Set

@stangtrain posted:

Many enjoyable hours were spent at the New Hope train station with my grandchildren when we lived in Washington Crossing PA! After watching the train leave the station, we sometimes walked down the street to Dunkin Donuts for a treat and by the time we finished and walked back up the hill to the station, we heard the horn off in the distance and waited for the train to return from it's trip through beautiful Bucks County! The train would return with the locomotive in front but backwards (i.e. long hood forward) as they had no way to turn it around. Same procedure when steam engine #40 was running. What an almost alive little beast that engine is, maybe as others stated above, Lionel may decorate a future locomotive like this:

Bowman's Tower, Point Pleasant Canoes, Bucks County Playhouse.  Hey, how about the Bucks County Drive-in...

@Tom Stoltz posted:

In 0 gauge -- I doubt it.  18" in 0 gauge is 72 ft, I think the O-B coaches are 80+ ft.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

According to the Reading Tech website, these cars were 72' 5" long.  The cafe cars were 82' 10" long.

@CarGuyZM10 posted:

According to the Reading Tech website, these cars were 72' 5" long.  The cafe cars were 82' 10" long.

Yep, I stand corrected again.  I realized after my post that the O-B coaches are the New Haven rather than Reading.  I do know CNJ used 72 ft shorties, still I though the Reading were longer, but no.  I should have looked at my own files first -- sorry.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@CarGuyZM10 posted:

According to the Reading Tech website, these cars were 72' 5" long.  The cafe cars were 82' 10" long.

Thanks for looking into this.  I'm glad the Lionel model are the right length.

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Yep, I stand corrected again.  I realized after my post that the O-B coaches are the New Haven rather than Reading.  I do know CNJ used 72 ft shorties, still I though the Reading were longer, but no.  I should have looked at my own files first -- sorry.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Thanks for looking into this.  I'm glad the Lionel models are the right length.

Will the scale GP30 from the set be able to negotiate )-31 curves?  I know the cars will not.

Will the engine and cars clear an 022 switch if only going straight?

Suppose the curves on the route include mostly 054 curves, but there is a single 031 section at one point? I was hoping that if only one end of the car was on the 031 at a time, it might be okay.

Would the engine in this set be ok on O31 curves and switches?

Found this on YouTube:

@JohnB posted:

Found this on YouTube:

     

Wow, awesome, thank you.  It's been a long time, but I remember a curvy bridge/trestle across the maine road from the station.  Was that the Mill Creek Bridge?  IIRC, Mechanic St was off to the left as you were going outbound on the bridge.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Hey Tom,

I thought I'd let you in on the bridge over the Aquatong Creek near Mechanic St. A silent film was done, supposedly,  on the "Paulines Trestle" of the "Perils of Pauline"silent movie a long time ago. Yeah hard to believe! There was an actress named Pearl White that played Pauline in the silent movie. Of course, this is rumored and there seems to be not much proof of the claim. I think the name "Paulines Trestle" stuck as an attraction for the railroad, which back in the early years was the Reading. I worked there as a Fireman on #40 (great little consolidation), conductor on 2198 GP30, & 7087, which was scrapped just recently.

I worked on Paulines Trestle with the Foreman- Eric Hessler and three other guy's one day changing out ties that NEEDED replacing, especially after the NRA checked the trestle. It was a succeccful event given the fact that 25-30 ft. below was the creek with a lot of major sized rocks in the water. To this day I can't figure out how they got 614,Ross Rolands 4-8-4 C&O Greenbriar across that bridge to rebuild it years ago in the engine house. That trestle has a tight curve!

      Steam Forever

             John

@PRR Mark posted:

Would the engine in this set be ok on O31 curves and switches?

Mark.

    The catalog says the 036 is the minimum curve is 036. That being said it has 2 axle trucks so it may run on 031. Maybe someone who has a Lionel GP30 can answer for sure.  

JohnB

@N&WY6b posted:

Hey Tom,

I thought I'd let you in on the bridge over the Aquatong Creek near Mechanic St. A silent film was done, supposedly,  on the "Paulines Trestle" of the "Perils of Pauline"silent movie a long time ago. Yeah hard to believe! There was an actress named Pearl White that played Pauline in the silent movie. Of course, this is rumored and there seems to be not much proof of the claim. I think the name "Paulines Trestle" stuck as an attraction for the railroad, which back in the early years was the Reading. I worked there as a Fireman on #40 (great little consolidation), conductor on 2198 GP30, & 7087, which was scrapped just recently.

I worked on Paulines Trestle with the Foreman- Eric Hessler and three other guy's one day changing out ties that NEEDED replacing, especially after the NRA checked the trestle. It was a succeccful event given the fact that 25-30 ft. below was the creek with a lot of major sized rocks in the water. To this day I can't figure out how they got 614,Ross Rolands 4-8-4 C&O Greenbriar across that bridge to rebuild it years ago in the engine house. That trestle has a tight curve!

      Steam Forever

             John

John, thank you for the info about ‘’Pauline”.  According to Wikipedia, she was born Pearl Fay White and does indeed appear in the film serial, The Perils of Pauline, in 1914.  Wikipedia also has a link to an hour and a half of the serial.  The opening credits state she is the star.  I intend to watch the whole thing hoping to get a glimpse of the trestle… too cool!

Really neat you had a chance to actually work on the trestle and to ‘play’ with #40.  I do remember the sharp curve.  I also thought about the questions a lot of folks here have about how sharp a radius the Lionel engine will negotiate.  The video JohnB sent shows curves on the actual railroad I thought were incredibly tight.  Really great for a train layout.

My sister did summer stock at The Buck’s County Playhouse several different years in the late ‘50s & early ‘60s.  New Hope had not yet ‘come to life’ back then.  My sister had an apartment on Mechanics St which is why I remember it.

Sorry to get homesick on you,

Tom Stoltz

In Maine

Another YouTube video of #40:

I ordered the set and hope that many others do as well so Lionel has enough BTO orders to make the set!

These New Hope videos keep popping up on my YouTube this one is from the 1980s. There are 4 scenes in the video with about 20 seconds of a black screen between each scene. Pay attention to the second scene where a young crewman exits the cab when the train stops........what the heck is he doing????? I have my guess but let me know what you think.

Hey John B,

Thanks for that video! I know both guy's in the cab of 40. The engineer is Frank Vopasek, who I fired for if our schedules met on the scheduled day. Frank & I keep in touch still since I'm in an "O" gauge Moduler group, The Raritan Valley Hi-Railers, with several other guy's. We started doing a Christmas show in Little Ferry N.J. and Frank  was Santa Clause. Of course it was pre Covid and the town Mayor wants us to come back when things get better. Frank is a great engineer of over 30 yrs. time. The other guy is Mike Muldowney, who is a great Fireman. Mike is a lot younger than myself and taught me the trade along with other guy's.

Really miss those days!

@JohnB posted:

Another YouTube video of #40:

Groovy... that is the train Lionel should have modeled.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Agreed Tom, I may have to kit bash a consolidation to get one sooner! Will need it to go with the set that I ordered!

     Steam Forever

             John

@JohnB posted:

These New Hope videos keep popping up on my YouTube this one is from the 1980s. There are 4 scenes in the video with about 20 seconds of a black screen between each scene. Pay attention to the second scene where a young crewman exits the cab when the train stops........what the heck is he doing????? I have my guess but let me know what you think.

 

My guess would be bees, though it is hard to imagine a nest where he seems to get involved...

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Groovy... that is the train Lionel should have modeled.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Tom,

    They did not offer Consolidations in this catalog, they did offer GP30s so it was a natural choice to do the New Hope set using a diesel. I do think if this set sells well the next time they run Consolidations (the generic ones not PRR) a New Hope #40 will be one of them. They can even do the passenger cars in a 4 car set or 2 2car sets for separate sale.

JohnB

It would be great to see a model of #40 someday. The recent "generic" consolidations used the same valve gear from Southern Pacific 2-8-0 which would be incorrect for #40. Hopefully if #40, or #60 in New Jersey, was ever offered it would have the correct valve gear for that locomotive.

@SGP posted:

It would be great to see a model of #40 someday. The recent "generic" consolidations used the same valve gear from Southern Pacific 2-8-0 which would be incorrect for #40. Hopefully if #40, or #60 in New Jersey, was ever offered it would have the correct valve gear for that locomotive.

SGP,

   We are talking 3 rail O gauge trains so I would be happy with what I could get. Yes the same valve gear would be great but I don’t think Lionel or any other manufacturer would go through all of that work to sell maybe 500 to 1000 engines. I think with the correct headlight placement the SP Consolidation would make for a quite reasonable #40:

     http://catalogs.lionel.com/15c2/html5/

Not trying to start a debate or anything but here is another #40 video in the snow this time:

JohnB,

No worries. All modeling comes down to compromises. You make a good point, getting #40s front correct would be impressive enough. Lionel has made a PRR 2-8-0, maybe parts can be mixed and matched, I can hope. 3rd Rail made a 2-8-0 years ago that might be closer if anyone can find one at a good price.

Getting back to my original question about the upcoming SKU # 2122160, New Hope Ivyland set:  The engine is a GP30, and the 4 long coaches have Kinematic couplers, with an 054 curve stated minimum:

My oval includes mostly 054 curves.  However, there is one unique partial curve that has a single section of 031 curve, which is immediately preceded by 3 straight sections (one of which is the straight leg of an 022 switch), and immediately followed by 1 054 curve, 1 straight section, and 2 more 054 sections. (The train would never be sent through the 022 switch curved section).

When the front axle of the coach encounters the single 031 curve, the rear axle of that coach is still on a straight section. When two coupled coaches are on the 031, the other end of each coach would each be on a straight section.

Would the couplers rotate enough if only one part of the coach was on the 031?  Some coach designs  have an obstruction near one or both axles that could be problematic.  Would the Kinematic couplers extend enough so that the two coupled cars wouldn't hit each other when together on the 031 curve?

Unfortunately, there's no room to change out the 031 curve for an 054.

Thanks guys.

@MerCrewser posted:

Very nice. Are there any other past offerings besides the green railcar I already have?

There was an Atlas NH&I boxcar quite a few years ago as well as a NH&I tribute car from METCA.

With all the concerns about whether this set will run on certain size curves along with concerns over the accuracy of its coaches,, MY CONCERN is if the folks with the concerns I mentioned didn't preorder this set and so Lionel will cancel it because there weren't enough pre-orders. I did preorder mine from Charless Ro who had a Great preorder price for it. Keeping my fingers crossed it will be made and we will see it in time for Christmas 2021.

I have zero interest in ever buying the set. With that said, aesthetically, it is gorgeous!!! I would love to see Lionel model the B&O railroad first mile excursion train. Either use the prototypical chessie gp35 or maybe even make it a “fantasy” item with the newly restored EA, which is absolutely gorgeous!

my dream set

I actually mentioned how i would love to have this set on my youtube channel and if i did get it i would surely do a review for it

but sadly i can't afford or run this beauty on my tracks

they don't call me the "Penn Central of the west" for nothing

The New Hope is like the Shailene Woodley of railroads - just beautiful . i watch it on youtube all the time and would love to go in the winter and see them run in snow

maybe one day

FYI, if you just wanted the GP-30 and not the whole set, you can purchase the engine by itself from the New Hope RR gift shop. (Available Now it seems.)

Link: https://shop.newhoperailroad.c...esel-locomotive.html

Anyone know whether the set was canceled?  The Lionel store no longer lists a ship date.

$749 is a bit much for the engine alone.  And 1500$ for The set?  Its new $999 from lionel

@tom21pa posted:

$749 is a bit much for the engine alone.  And 1500$ for The set?  Its new $999 from lionel

No kidding, did you see $134.00 for the boxcars?

https://shop.newhoperailroad.c...standard-boxcar.html

My opinion is the set was shipped, as evidenced by separate shipments of the loco only and the second one of the set. The locos went out first, as evidenced by the one for sale at the NH&I gift shop. The set itself is likely in a container on the west coast, awaiting transport to dealers, in my case, Henning's. Eventually, I will get a phone call that it came in and I can pick it up. When? Who knows. The rule today: Patience is needed more than ever. Also, the government closed the Complaint Department due to lack of funding. Mark

@barrister.2u posted:

Anyone know whether the set was canceled?  The Lionel store no longer lists a ship date.

My opinion is the set was shipped, as evidenced by separate shipments of the loco only and the second one of the set. The locos went out first, as evidenced by the one for sale at the NH&I gift shop. The set itself is likely in a container on the west coast, awaiting transport to dealers, in my case, Henning's. Eventually, I will get a phone call that it came in and I can pick it up. When? Who knows. The rule today: Patience is needed more than ever. Also, the government closed the Complaint Department due to lack of funding. Mark

Thank you for your insights Mark. I think you may be right. When Lionel did have the ship date listed, it was 11/10/2021. So, it's looking good for our sets.

I just didn't want to miss out on the GP-30 at the gift shop if someone could confirm a cancellation. Also, I don't mind waiting.

I'm REALLY hoping and praying the shade of red on this set looks decent...

@Mikado 4501 posted:

I'm REALLY hoping and praying the shade of red on this set looks decent...

https://shop.newhoperailroad.c...esel-locomotive.html

Based on the photos from the RR's Website, I'd say they look ok. I do not believe these are mock-ups, the images seem like the real deal.

BTW, I received an email from Lionel saying that the set is "available". I am patient and don't mind waiting, but I think we will start seeing them soon.

@TheRambles posted:

Based on the photos from the RR's Website, I'd say they look ok. I do not believe these are mock-ups, the images seem like the real deal.

If this is the real deal, I think the color is pretty close. Could be a tad darker, but it could also be how dull a lot of photos of the locomotive online look. I’m very happy it’s not a bright neon pink color.

@TheRambles posted:

No kidding, did you see $134.00 for the boxcars?

https://shop.newhoperailroad.c...standard-boxcar.html

Blimey, certainly not for me at that price!!  And it's not even one of those nice scale freight sounds models...

I was hoping to receive my set in time for my birthday on December 16th so it looks that may (possibly could) happen!

The colors from the photos posted above look pretty good to me--can't wait to start seeing some actual set pics!