Lionel O Gauge 2024 Vol. 2 Catalog

A nice catalog overall for a GG1 fan such as myself, but I've only got one 3 rail GG1 left on my wish list, and that is the one Weaver one I don't have.  The NJT 4877 and any of the modified high filter GG1s are pretty tempting though.  The 18" cars don't do anything for me, but Lionel has rarely catered to my modeling interests.  Of course I'm not representative of the majority in this hobby.

All I have to add is that when people complain about pricing from other manufacturers, you can see that all the remaining ones in O scale are all fairly competitive with each other. 

I am hoping this won't be considered a topic derailment but does anyone know how the Lionmaster Hudson compares size wise to the 763/773/783 Hudson family. Calling something semi-scale is a such a loose term in this hobby.

Thanks in advance.

Can anyone tell me if the TOFCs are the old weaver molds???  To be honest I’m not much of a Lionel fan, but that could change if these in the catalog are them.  Lately I’ve been buying the old weaver stock of pigs for a fast freight run thru and want to add on and be consistent.  So let me know!!!  

@FIREMANCHRIS posted:

Can anyone tell me if the TOFCs are the old weaver molds???  To be honest I’m not much of a Lionel fan, but that could change if these in the catalog are them.  Lately I’ve been buying the old weaver stock of pigs for a fast freight run thru and want to add on and be consistent.  So let me know!!!  

Lionel has its own tooling for TOFC flats.  They are excellent and nice enough to 2-rail, but I can get a used brass one for the price of the new plastic ones.  The former Weaver tooling is sold under the "Lionscale" line in a different style box.  I don't believe they offer the Weaver TOFC though.  The Lionscale offerings I am familiar with include the 50' PS plug door boxcar and the various hoppers Weaver offered over the years. 

@FIREMANCHRIS posted:

Can anyone tell me if the TOFCs are the old weaver molds???  To be honest I’m not much of a Lionel fan, but that could change if these in the catalog are them.  Lately I’ve been buying the old weaver stock of pigs for a fast freight run thru and want to add on and be consistent.  So let me know!!!  

Lionel has the Weaver TOFC dies. A few years it was said they might make repair parts for the Weaver cars or use them for special orders but so far, nothing.
Given the $50 Weaver Baggage cars now list for $300, not sure Weaver TOFCs would be a bargain anymore.

Pete

@tom21pa posted:

I don't recall any polar express in new catalog

I noticed that too...and with the Polar Express Observation car on the cover even!

@Big Jim posted:

I noticed that too...and with the Polar Express Observation car on the cover even!

They were just bookending with Volume 1. I intentionally flipped the Volume 2 cover.

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow, now this is a great catalog, lots of things to consider, (one being a second mortgage), just kidding, but seeing the aluminum passenger cars return is a giant step in the right direction. I have only reviewed the IPad version, waiting on the real catalog. Thank you Lionel for the fantastic innovations… Happy Railroading Everyone

My only real interest is the Y6b's. I have always like these big bad monsters just have always missed them. It is interesting that they have reached old Big Boy prices, and thankfully not the VL version of it. There is no way I'd go for the set though. As I have been told, Lionel has not made the right N&W caboose for these(and maybe any other). I don't know what would be right, but I know someone that could tell me for sure.

@CBQ_Bill posted:

@Racetrack Route Joe & @Arthur

The two hobby shops with a recent history of custom run CB&Q steam engines are

@Berwyns Toys and Trains

and

@MrMuffin'sTrains

Per the steam roater  list on BRHS’s website, CB&Q 4-8-2 mountains had road numbers 7000-7020.

I will order one if it is offered.

CB&Q Bill

I think it would sell well, and while the Q's Mountains weren't true USRA spec Mountains, if Lionel got close to it with this most recent run they are doing for '24 Vol II, I would have to let my rivet counting slide.  I also would not complain if there was a custom run heavy mikado with either the same or different 5509 roadnumber from 2015.   

I'd really like a Tuscan GG1 but will wait and not pre-order.  I have too much right now and will have to clear the runway before I can commit.

@RamblerDon posted:

I am hoping this won't be considered a topic derailment but does anyone know how the Lionmaster Hudson compares size wise to the 763/773/783 Hudson family. Calling something semi-scale is a such a loose term in this hobby.

Thanks in advance.

I don't think you're derailing the topic since this is the first offering of the Lionmaster Hudson in quite a while. I believe the Lionmaster Hudson is about 22" long while the scale 763/773/783 is about 24" long. A bit narrower, as well.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

My only real interest is the Y6b's. I have always like these big bad monsters just have always missed them. It is interesting that they have reached old Big Boy prices, and thankfully not the VL version of it. There is no way I'd go for the set though. As I have been told, Lionel has not made the right N&W caboose for these(and maybe any other).

With as many times that Lionel has offered an N&W freight steam loco, be it the Class A, Y3 or Y6b, it is extremely disappointing that they have not produced a correct scale N&W steam era caboose!

As for the coal hoppers, they are not N&W.

As for the current Y6b offerings, the 2197 with the oval smokebox is incorrect and if the 2171 has the feedwater heater pump mounted on the side, it will be incorrect too!

For accuracy, go for the round smokebox 2188 or 2197.

@raising4daughters posted:

I don't think you're derailing the topic since this is the first offering of the Lionmaster Hudson in quite a while. I believe the Lionmaster Hudson is about 22" long while the scale 763/773/783 is about 24" long. A bit narrower, as well.

THANK YOU

I've been telling myself for a few years that next time a nice Hudson comes out I would splurge for one. I am currently trying to decide which scheme I'd like to get.

I am also debating on if I want to wait until next year as I think we can safely bet for a plethora of Hudson options for the 125 years celebration.

I'm in for the Midnight Flyer Halloween AA set and the 4 pack passenger cars. Not sure if the sounds passenger car or the B unit is worth the hefty price tag. Thoughts?

Sunrise

@tom21pa posted:

I don't recall any polar express in new catalog

Use your QR Reader app to click on the QR Code on page 2 of the catalog to see the various Polar Express offerings.

@Big Jim posted:

With as many times that Lionel has offered an N&W freight steam loco, be it the Class A, Y3 or Y6b, it is extremely disappointing that they have not produced a correct scale N&W steam era caboose!

As for the coal hoppers, they are not N&W.

As for the current Y6b offerings, the 2197 with the oval smokebox is incorrect and if the 2171 has the feedwater heater pump mounted on the side, it will be incorrect too!

For accuracy, go for the round smokebox 2188 or 2197.

Make sure that you go to Lionel’s website and submit this info to them. @Dave Olson should know also. Lionel may monitor these forums, but contacting them through their website has been recommended many times on the live streams.

@RamblerDon posted:

THANK YOU

I've been telling myself for a few years that next time a nice Hudson comes out I would splurge for one. I am currently trying to decide which scheme I'd like to get.

I am also debating on if I want to wait until next year as I think we can safely bet for a plethora of Hudson options for the 125 years celebration.

If you're a semi-scale guy like me, and if this Lionmaster Hudson is as nice as the previous renditions, I suggest grabbing one now. I have the TMCC version, and even though it lacks 4 cuffs, it's my favorite steam engine.

I am getting the Pacemaker version for sure.

So, how does pre-ordering work? I'd like to give the business to one of two LHS near me. Just call or email them and they place the order? Guessing there's a deposit required. Also guessing at least a year lead time these days. Thoughts or recommendations appreciated.

I'd seen your reply but didn't see anything about the Midnight Chief or the passenger cars?

Frank

@raising4daughters posted:

If you're a semi-scale guy like me, and if this Lionmaster Hudson is as nice as the previous renditions, I suggest grabbing one now. I have the TMCC version, and even though it lacks 4 cuffs, it's my favorite steam engine.

I am getting the Pacemaker version for sure.

I am torn between 3 of them, what I will call the basic model, the silver/grey scheme and the Halloween version of all things.

I think I've about talked myself out of the Halloween one now, but that still leaves me with 2 to choose from.

I'm a traditional size fan. The closest I have gotten to scale is the 763/773/783 Hudsons that I have.

I've recently gotten into command control and I've been scooping up PWC items like crazy.

But as I said earlier. I told myself next time a high detailed Hudson pops up, I will go for it. Though I am also wondering if I should wait to see what happens for the 125 years items for next year. I can't imagine Lionel won't have some Hudsons to choose from.

@Frank Ranzino posted:

I'd seen your reply but didn't see anything about the Midnight Chief or the passenger cars?

Frank

Frank,

My bad....I meant the Midnight Flyer Halloween set....Sorry about that!

Sunrise

@Sunrise Special posted:

Frank,

My bad....I meant the Midnight Flyer Halloween set....Sorry about that!

Sunrise

That Midnight Flyer is a very cool set. I am looking forward to review videos down the road.

Ramblers Don, years ago we called that smaller Hudson a baby Hudson. I think MTH came out with that size. They look great. I consider them a traditional size and took great pulling traditional size rolling stock.

Love looking at those GG1s but I like sticking with the postwar tooling versions, easier on the wallet. Need some traditional PC passenger cars to go with the mpc PC GG1. Ill just be getting the War Bonds PRR caboose, these short scale cars fit nicely with traditional rolling stock. If the LC geep was in NJT, I'd pull the trigger on one.

I’m going for GG1 4800, Old Rivets, and a Santa Fe 4-8-2. I would like to try a T&P 4-8-2 but I’m too concerned with the paint being too light.

@PRR4876 posted:

Love looking at those GG1s but I like sticking with the postwar tooling versions, easier on the wallet. Need some traditional PC passenger cars to go with the mpc PC GG1. Ill just be getting the War Bonds PRR caboose, these short scale cars fit nicely with traditional rolling stock. If the LC geep was in NJT, I'd pull the trigger on one.

I run my PC GG1 with a mix of NYC & PRR MPC passenger cars.  I'm tempted to get one or two and see about doing a custom PC version.Not sure if decals are available though.

@romiller49 posted:

Ramblers Don, years ago we called that smaller Hudson a baby Hudson. I think MTH came out with that size. They look great. I consider them a traditional size and took great pulling traditional size rolling stock.

The Lionmaster Hudson is bigger than the baby/junior/O27 Hudson, even slightly bigger than my PW 2056.

So Lionel does old Rivets in the original stripes? I agree with the above poster, they should've done the 5-striper, too. Honestly, I've just about had it with Lionel...I don't know, it'd definitely save me from financing yet another high-priced train...and with the PE Berks and Triplexes and F19s, it'd be nice to back off any more pre-orders. And what's up with 21" Halloween cars? What the heck was Lionel's designers thinking? More power to those of you with ultra-wide diameter curves...21" cars will overhang O-72 like 3" or so. And they're not attractive. Bring back the Midnight Special ELX cars! They were cool and scary at the same time

@Paul Kallus posted:

So Lionel does old Rivets in the original stripes? I agree with the above poster, they should've done the 5-striper, too. Honestly, I've just about had it with Lionel...I don't know, it'd definitely save me from financing yet another high-priced train...and with the PE Berks and Triplexes and F19s, it'd be nice to back off any more pre-orders. And what's up with 21" Halloween cars? What the heck was Lionel's designers thinking? More power to those of you with ultra-wide diameter curves...21" cars will overhang O-72 like 3" or so. And they're not attractive. Bring back the Midnight Special ELX cars! They were cool and scary at the same time

Funny you should mention the Halloween Cars....I was really excited about the Midnight Flyer set...BUT this evening Im having second thoughts...those passengers cars are making me a bit hesitant for the reasons you mentioned. Not so sure what Im going to do...

Sunrise

I am kind of glad they did the Halloween coaches as Scale length. That keeps me from being tempted by them. If they had done a matching set for that Hudson I'd be in trouble financially. Haha.

I am also wondering if any custom runs on the Lionmaster Hudson might happen. I guess I will wait a bit to pre-order in case something interesting pops up.

Well, the LCCA delivered my new catalog today, and Lionel is really introducing the world of model railroading GG1’s, and along with the addition of 4 digit addressing. Lots of beautiful color schemes, features and what’s really neat are,  and the icing on the cake is bringing back 18 inch fully  detailed passenger cars with non flicker lighting and including passengers in the interiors.  WOW… Since I have the original VisionLine GG1, and the Congressional set, I’ll move on to one of the steamers, possibly the Cargill SW1, the army cars, the AEC cars, or a VisionLine caboose or so. It’s simply a great catalog and the introduction of the Cab3/APP3…. Our layouts are going to be much more fun to operate, with our friends, as now 3 or more can hold the hand held remotes and control their trains… Over the last 50 years operating our trains has changed so much for the better. This is a really nice catalog. Happy Railroading Everyone

I have to say I love the GG-1's in this catalog and if I were going to purchase any one of them it would be the Conrail 4800 or the Penn Central version. Only problem is they are out of my price range.Very sharp though.

I don't have any Lionchief2.0's but would be willing to jump in and try the Hudson if they had just one plain NYC black....no white stripes....no whitewalls...etc.

"So, how does pre-ordering work? I'd like to give the business to one of two LHS near me. Just call or email them and they place the order? Guessing there's a deposit required. Also guessing at least a year lead time these days. Thoughts or recommendations appreciated."

Depends on the retailer. My hobby shop does not require deposits.  Charles Ro and Mr. Muffin and Trainworld do not require deposits.  I'd only place orders with that sort of retailer. Not in the business of subsidizing either Lionel or my dealer, and putting up with the possibility that the product won't be produced or will be very late.  Expect a wait of at least a year.

@VADarthDad posted:

I don't have any Lionchief2.0's but would be willing to jump in and try the Hudson if they had just one plain NYC black....no white stripes....no whitewalls...etc.

Maybe a plainer version of the Hudson will be a custom run.

I think the one with the stripes is based off the builder's photo or a publicity shot of sorts. I've seen that scheme on a photograph with that actual scheme on a Hudson.

@RamblerDon posted:

Maybe a plainer version of the Hudson will be a custom run.

I think the one with the stripes is based off the builder's photo or a publicity shot of sorts. I've seen that scheme on a photograph with that actual scheme on a Hudson.

another cool idea for a custom run would be a Boston and Albany with the green boiler

I like what I see in the newest catalog, but I don’t know if I am willing to order anything with how bad Lionel has been messing up the paint colors. They won’t even acknowledge it. To pay as much as we do, the colors should be right.

@tf4k4 posted:

I like what I see in the newest catalog, but I don’t know if I am willing to order anything with how bad Lionel has been messing up the paint colors. They won’t even acknowledge it. To pay as much as we do, the colors should be right.

Just make sure to order from a trustworthy dealer and have this conversation with them up front.

A good dealer will let  you return or cancel your order without fuss if you're not happy.

@H1000 posted:

Just make sure to order from a trustworthy dealer and have this conversation with them up front.

A good dealer will let  you return or cancel your order without fuss if you're not happy.

You hit the nail in the head with that one. Nicholas Smith has always taken good care of me. I just feel bad for the dealers who get stuck with these trains because of it. Ties up a lot of funds, and space.

@Landsteiner posted:

"So, how does pre-ordering work? I'd like to give the business to one of two LHS near me. Just call or email them and they place the order? Guessing there's a deposit required. Also guessing at least a year lead time these days. Thoughts or recommendations appreciated."

Depends on the retailer. My hobby shop does not require deposits.  Charles Ro and Mr. Muffin and Trainworld do not require deposits.  I'd only place orders with that sort of retailer. Not in the business of subsidizing either Lionel or my dealer, and putting up with the possibility that the product won't be produced or will be very late.  Expect a wait of at least a year.

I look at the pre-order with deposit system a little differently.

While these are many retailers that don’t require deposits, those that do aren’t necessary doing it to be malicious and take your money.  There is a hobby story in the Northern VA area that asks for a deposit on pre-orders.  They do it because they are a smaller shop, and the deposit helps secure the items.  Also, they have been burned by a couple customers in the past, so they do it as security.  While some may not like this decision, its helps their business.  Also, the deposit is a start on paying off the order you placed.  And if Lionel cancels the order, you get your money back.  It isn’t that bad.

Of course, it is always your choice.