Lionel S2

I was surprised to see these come in. I thought I'd heard they had been cancelled. 

 

Now trying to decide about the LionChief Plus NW2 version of the Burlington switcher, versus the Legacy S2 version (which costs twice as much!) Don't think the S2 is worth twice as much - and $500 street price for a diesel switcher tramples all over reasonableness.

Just got them today! Very nicely done. Here's a few photos of the UP and CP S2's.

 

 

In a moment of weakness I almost pulled the trigger on the CP.    But given everything else that's coming due later this year, I couldn't see spending $500 on something that's worth $300... maybe $325 max.  What is Lionel thinking here?  

 

The recent Charlie Ro email noted that a good number of these are already "sold out", and most of what remains is listed as "limited quantities".  But given the high price-point on these (especially for a diesel switcher), I gotta believe order quantities were low to begin with.  And I doubt dealers ordered that many BTO "extras" of these pricey gems.

 

If this is where Lionel is heading with their pricing, I'm SO glad I don't really need stuff across the board now.  Well... none of us really needs this stuff, but you get my point.  I'm glad I built a critical mass of my model train roster when prices were more realistic.  Now it's nice being much more selective... and even at that, it's still an expensive hobby.  

 

David

NVisich, are you OK with the detail level on the light silver trucks?  Usually when Lionel does their trucks up in bright silver, the detail is nothing short of exquisite.  But these trucks appear lack-luster... screaming more of molded detail (or too thickly painted) rather than a detail level with wow factor (i.e., like Lionel did with the bright silver trucks on their scale Santa Fe F3 locomotives).  Not something I would have expected on a $500+ piece.  

 

Nice, crisp paint job on the CP unit though.  Just can't get past the price tag.

 

David

Looking at the 2015 Volume 2 catalog, looks like to heavy of a paint job on the trucks

As long as folks keep writing the checks and punching their CC number Lionel will continue to push the envelope on pricing.

 

$89 catalog for a traditional type boxcar seems like the envelope has been pushed into the stratosphere.

 

   Bill T.

I ordered both South Buffalo S2 switchers and I am anxiously waiting for them.....Paul

The flash on the camera ended up making the silver trucks lighter then they are. I didn't expect extra truck detail as I have the NYC S2 from the last run of these. It would have been nice at this increased price point to include some extra details on the truck instead of one cast piece. You really don't notice the lack of truck detail on the black trucks as apposed to the silver ones. Like I said, I wasn't expecting it at all but I'm still happy with the overall all appearance. Paint is crisp along with super cab details. Keep the photos coming. Would like to see the other road names as well.

 

Glad you got them OK Ned!

I received my South Buffalo S2. One of the most fun switchers I've ever had. 

Probably in the minority here, but I feel the price tag was just right. Very impressed with the engine detail and performance. Also very grateful that Lionel offered these in South Buffalo. Someone there is obviously paying attention! Hats off.

 

I have the C&O version from a few catalogs ago and I must say that it's a great piece.

 

Agreed... That's why I was tempted to go for the CP paint scheme.    BTW, that cuts both ways for showing the extra detailed trucks too.  The bright silver always shows the details the best.

 

David

One of the few Lionel models I own and like it very much,  an older release in Seaboard Airline with the BLACK truck sides 

Hey, has a new Lionel product been released?  Let me check the forum for complaints about pricing from Rocky Mountaineer.  As sure as the sun rises in the East, one can count on a "what are they thinking with their pricing" rant form the the mountaineer.

 

In a moment of weakness I almost pulled the trigger on the CP.    But given everything else that's coming due later this year, I couldn't see spending $500 on something that's worth $300... maybe $325 max.  What is Lionel thinking here?  

 

The recent Charlie Ro email noted that a good number of these are already "sold out", and most of what remains is listed as "limited quantities".  But given the high price-point on these (especially for a diesel switcher), I gotta believe order quantities were low to begin with.  And I doubt dealers ordered that many BTO "extras" of these pricey gems.

 

If this is where Lionel is heading with their pricing, I'm SO glad I don't really need stuff across the board now.  Well... none of us really needs this stuff, but you get my point.  I'm glad I built a critical mass of my model train roster when prices were more realistic.  Now it's nice being much more selective... and even at that, it's still an expensive hobby.  

 

David

 

Moutaineer, 

How do you not get tired of posting complaints about Lionel's pricing?  Please stop embarrassing yourself here and simply email your complaints directly to Lionel at TalkToUs@lionel.com  Complaining about pricing on a thread created to discuss the qualities and attributes of the engine detracts from the quality of the discussion.

Thank you

Get your South Buffalo S2 switchers while you can. I missed the MTH SB offering last year and it quickly sold out. SB was the road which serviced Bethlehem Steel. Lionel has now produced the appropriate motive power to pull its previously released BS steel industry freight cars. Thank you Lionel.

Allan

More precisely, it serviced the Lackawanna, NY Bethlehem Steel plant. Ironically none of the cars were ever lettered "Bethlehem Steel" with the exception a few transfer cabooses which were marked simply "BS". hmmmm, there might be a joke here.

 

Pete 

T4TT, it's obvious we'll never share the same point of view on pricing, so just let it go.  As soon as we see your name after one of my posts, we pretty much know what it's gonna say.  Count on it.  

 

Pricing is part of the discussion here.  Go back and review the thread... I was responding in agreement to an earlier post by another member, but I guess you missed that one in your over-eagerness to pounce on my comment.  So predictable.

 

David

I think 460 is to much for a s2. It's my money and I didn't order one cause of the price.

Since I run conventional, all the extra technology is lost on me and I hate to pay for it just to get an engine I want. That said, I do buy one from time to time 'cause I just can't stand not doing so. Crazy, huh?

 

That's why I like the LionChief Plus line so much -- not paying too much of a premium for engines I want.

How about a video?

 

Would love to hear it, and see its slow speed movement.

 

Thanks

RM,

Of course I saw that you quoted that comment in your reply. We need not share the same point of view on pricing.  I have no desire to debate the merits of Lionel's pricing or "convert" you to my position.  BTW, perhaps I too believe that the S2 is not worth the retail price.  I would hazard a guess that most consumers would like to pay less for their purchases, that seems pretty obvious.

 

The only point in my post was that if you are not happy with Lionel's pricing, which you clearly are not based on the multitude of posts you have made decrying the prices, was that you simply email Lionel directly.

 

It is duly noted that David, the Rocky Mountaineer, fervently believes that Lionel overcharges its customers.  To clarify, Lionel's products are not worth the prices that Lionel charges.

 

There you have it.  Your position is on the record.  Now will you stop ranting about Lionel's prices...please.

If I may interject while, hopefully, avoiding the shrapnel, I have the first release of the Lionel S2 - TMCC, Odyssey, Santa Fe (it is to be repainted GM&O, as I have the loco and the decals), and I have a word of caution:

 

Unless the design on the Blunt trucks has been changed - and it may have - the side frames have a tenuous attachment to the mounting tabs (the tabs with the screws that attach to the truck power block underneath). Two of my side frames broke off as the loco was being normally handled soon after I got it. I did not drop it or mis-handle it. They may have been weakened in shipping, but, regardless, when I fixed them with epoxy the thin zinc cross-section ("thin" and "zinc" are never good together) of that area was obvious.

 

Nice loco (smoke unit - not so much), nice RS. Not dissing it. The issue may not exist any more.

 

I thought about the new GM&O unit, but I can make that happen to my old one for about $20.00.

Wow, T4TT.  I was completely unaware we needed you to speak on anyone's behalf here and to have our opinion(s) so "duly noted".    I completely missed that part of the Terms of Service for this forum.  How silly of me.

 

And for the record, you got it wrong (again).  Your statement is much too broad a conclusion... and therefore grossly inaccurate.  So why not just speak for yourself, and let others discuss viewpoints that stand on their own merits.  We'd all appreciate that. 

 

For some products, Lionel's pricing is just fine... passenger car street-prices, for example.  For others, the recent trend of notably increased price-points for some products has caused more than a few model train enthusiasts to raise an eyebrow or two.  That's why it's always important to have multiple suppliers in any industry... sort of a built-in checks-and-balances for the consumer.

 

David

 

 

Overpriced? The heart wants ... what the heart wants.

 

If they have that cool ALCO turbo engine sound, and good slow speed operation .... I'm going to have two used Legacy GP7's for sale.

Nothing wrong with that, Matt, as long as we do it with both eyes open.  We do what we gotta do, after all.  We'll probably see a lot of that going on, as folks sell some trains on their roster to lessen what I call the "net new cash-out-of-pocket" needed to purchase a new item at higher price-points. 

 

David

Sticker shock is a problem we all are going to face not only on our trains but even the necessities such as food (go grocery shopping lately). The good thing is we can say no to our trains if our personal budgets get tight. It is a lot harder To do with food.

 

2014/2015 I spent a lot of money on Lionel trains, two Legacy K4s, two Legacy RS11s, one Legacy B6. Then the 2015 Volume 2 catalog comes out.....really like those PRR GP9s and would need to get both......well the budget just will not allow it. Maybe I will just get one then hope the other shows up on the secondary market. Thank God I am a Pennsylvania guy not a UP guy and would of had to buy a Big Boy.

 

JohnB

I have the NYC version. Picked it up used off the bay for about $325. Great runner and wonderful sound. That being said, I don't think I would pay in the $500 range for it. At that point it's over or iced.

I miss K-line!

I still have about 8 of these, but just one each. 

I may have missed it, but do these have the IR transmitter that works with the LCS Sensor Track?

I'd be interested in this locomotive if it was painted like Lehigh New England 611. Might be a good one with the efforts to save this engine and bring it to Topton, Pa to be restored and operated.

I know mth made one awhile back but I'd love an LIRR version of this