Lionel's New GP30's, Who's Getting One?

I am interested in the high short hood version of the "as delivered" N&W model, however I'm waiting to see which trucks the models have. The sample shown at York had ALCO trucks, which would NOT be correct for the N&W models.

I saw the one at York, I think the Southern had Alco trucks on some of their 30's, but I also think that was just to demonstrate the road specific details.

Maybe I'm a bit different but, I'm sure not spending $500 on a model in the hopes that Lionel gets it right. I'll wait and see the model first.

I have the Southern on order. I always though that the GP30 was a pretty odd-looking loco, and it was, after all, only a GM diesel, but after being in the presence of the one at the

TVRM in Chattanooga, and watching that high-nose thing (like a giant bison) move past me,

I just wanted one. I even chose it over ordering the GM&O (Lionel even got the trucks right this time per the GM&O/ICG).

I can only get the SOO LINE GP30s.

 

Andrew

Maybe. What will be the street price?

thanks,

       

I have seen them between 450 and 490.

Interestingly, the street price of the Lionel is about the same as the MSRP of the MTH one in the latest MTH catalog. Street price of the MTH looks like around 410-420. That's still a lot for a diesel, at least for me as more of a steam era guy. Does anybody know if there's anything other than the Lionel name and better speakers to justify the $50 real-world price difference? I'd like to get the Milwaukee Road one, and both Lionel and MTH seem to have the correct ALCO trucks on their versions. As far as I know, Milwaukee, Soo Line, and GM&O put the trucks from old ALCO road switchers on their GP-30's and the other buyers got them with regular EMD trucks. 

When they make a Soo Line version.  BTW, the Soo GP-30s used the trucks from their Alco FAs.

Only if it's Espee, and with the appropriate front & rear nose lighting package.

 

In a previous run Lionel delivered on the former but not the latter, so no sale from me until they do.

I guess I missed it - is there something firm on what road names these are going to be made in?

Yes. The Lionel catalog.

I placed an order for the Southern #2601 when the catalog came out... it may only be a number board but as it is the engine at the NC Transportation Museum ("just up the road"), I had to have one.

 

   - Jeff

 

The ALCo FA trucks were real. The were not the best trucks, but the were actually used.

 

Andrew

Only on those railroads that traded-in ALCO locomotives that had those trucks.

I ordered TP&W 700 in Bicentennial attire, to pull my red-white-blue rolling stock.

I have both Southern GP30s on order. Any idea when they'll be shipping? I saw Eric or Eric's Trains got hIs GM&O GP30 last week.

M.J.

 

Where did you see that Eric got the GM&O GP30?  I cannot find anything here on the forum or his web page.

 

Neal Jeter

Actually that was a GP35 he posted about on Facebook (May 27th).

 

- Jeff

Jeff is right - I apologize for the mistake

Does anyone have an answer to the question I posted previously - is there any advantage to the Lionel GP30 over MTH, other than a better speaker, that justifies the $50 difference in street price between the two? I know that Legacy sound is better than PS/3, but not being a big diesel fan I don't consider it a major decision factor, and in any case I have a partial hearing loss due to excessive occupational exposure to firearms so I don't hear as much difference as some others do. 

For one thing, MTH does NOT offer the high short hood versions for N&W and Southern.

Currently, it appears Lionel's service and parts department offers quicker turnaround time than MTH.  Earlier MTH EMD Blomberg trucks were way too short as well, so if you buy an earlier version of the GP-30 you might have shorty trucks that don't look right if full scale accuracy is your thing.

SW

 

     All I can tell you is to me Lionel is worth the price whether it's a diesel or a steam engine. In fact since Kline went out of business Lionel is the only brand of engine I have purchased. I have purchased plenty of MTH freight cars and accessories but when it come to engines I like Legacy sounds and control system. No knock against PS2/3 fans, just the way I see it.

      There are plenty of videos on this forum of both Legacy and PS2/3 engine. You can decide if it's worth the extra $50. By the way I have done quite well purchasing Legacy engines,, my mother taught me how to shop.

 

JohnB

       
       
According to Lionel's shipping schedule, they are slated for arrival later this month.