Lionel Shipping Updated

The update page still needs a little work.  They have some items marked "Shipped April,13"  but as we know this is only "Nov, 12".

Also, it would be helpful to be able to move to the next page from the bottom of the list rather than having to go back to the top of the list.

These nits picked, it is great to see much shipped and that a great many more items are coming our way. With all the things I like coming, I think I need to ask Santa to bring cash for Christmas (instead of the usual coal.)

Tony

Up on "The D & H Bridge Line" 

This is the last time I'll comment on the shipping schedule.  It's downright laughable and ridden with typo's.  The VERY first line has the CSX Motor City Express listed as Jan 2012.   Really???  And we just go downhill fast from there. 

The sad thing is they update the list so often, you'd think someone would at least fix all the glaring errors after awhile.  Now with all the problems brought about by overseas factory issues nowadays, I get the fact that production schedules are subject to change.  But there's something about that entire list that never seems to gel with reality.  Sorry... but I'm calling it like I see it.

David

The list has helped me in some ways, after seeing a bunch things that I have pre-ordered moved back to next year. This has allowed me to make some purchases that I liked but was on the bottom of my list. So now I have a new mallet & 4-12-2 on my roster.

If you click on the create a pdf button in the top bar next to the catalog heading it will create a pdf file which will allow you to scroll through the entire list easily.

They still have items listed as not being shipped yet that I have received well over a month ago.

And for the first time ever I received a update from my dealer on all of the items that I have pre-ordered.

Well, it shows an item I'm interested in has shipped...

...but I darn sure haven't found a dealer that has it in stock and ready to go.  

But, then, I'm not complaining.  Just shopping around for a Christmas present for myself since it appears that Lionel's primary competitor has let me down on all my backordered stuff (I just checked the list that Charlie, of Nassau Hobbies, posted here listing items due to ship by Dec. 15).  

This is, as they say, the "new normal." 

Per RockyMountainer: "This is the last time I'll comment on the shipping schedule.  It's downright laughable and ridden with typo's."

Myself - I've looked everywhere for those in the '12 Vol II catalog and had an LHS call their wholesaler - who told them it was next Oct.

I think the '12 listing for the Alaska and some other shifters is a typo.  The Denver and Rio Grande version I ordered  is listed as Oct. '13, while many others in that catalog series are listed as Oct. '12.  I suspect all are expected at the same time - October next year and someone just typed the wrong year on a some of them.  

Well at this past York, I inquired about the 5 new milk cars that are on the shipping list. Boy did I stir something up, here are 5 new milk cars with a Jan. 13 shipping date. They told me that they were talking about bringing out some new milk cars but nothing was finalized.

The first answer I got was that they should not be listed on the shipping list. Later on in the day I took a copy of the shipping list that was put out on 10-15 and I showed to them. After they made some phone calls, I was told that they would be coming out in Jan. and still no one has seen these cars.

I have been watching Lionel's shipping pronouncements for many years now, and when they say something has been shipped they pretty much really mean it. I have also noticed over time that when the give a particular month -- say "Oct." -- as the "shipped" month, but they don't really ship until well into the following month (Nov.), they still keep the original shipping month(i.e. "Oct.") as the "official" one.

After all, the items were at least shipped from China in October, right?

I know I said I was done commenting on the shipping schedule.  But this little twist really takes the cake.  So now we're saying the shipping schedule shows FIVE new milk cars shipping in Jan 2013, yet NOBODY here Stateside knows what they look like yet????    Wow... I've been talking tongue-in-cheek about this topic a lot lately, but things are much worse than I ever thought.  Talk about the proverbial tail wagging the dog.  Just unbelievable!  But given all we've seen/heard this year, I'm sadly not at all surprised.    And Jerry C actually collects a salary???  Must be a nice gig if you can get it.

David

Well, I cut Lionel and MTH and all the others a little slack on all this.  I know people in other industries who are tearing their hair out over the delays, confusion, and chaos coming out of Chinese suppliers right now. I do not understand how they can have an economic engine like they do with the labor unrest and problems they are experienced now.  

I'd rather have stuff made in the US, and over which the model train companies had total control of ever step in the supply chain, but I know I'd be paying more for it. 

Besides, waiting for that loco you want, not knowing when it will really get here, makes it sort of like Christmas when it does finally arrive!

Actually, I cut them some slack as well since I know all of the manufacturers are experiencing some very real problems with their overseas suppliers at this point.  Kind of a "tail wagging the dog" sort of thing for sure, but very much out of the control of any manufacturer, and especially the smaller manufacturers (a category that includes ALL toy train makers).

Aside from the difficulties these delays pose for my personal budget planning, there's certainly not anything due in that I can't live without.  If anything, it helps me to curtail my train spending (probably a good thing).  But therein lies the problem for many of the ever-shrinking number of hobby retailers who are left hanging when long-anticipated and long-planned-for items don't materialize, especially in this season of the year.  Those are the folks who really are adversely impacted in a putting-food-on-the-table sort of way.

Bottom line though:  It's a sad situation for ALL involved--manufacturers, dealers, and consumers.

Mr. Miller

I checked Lionel's shipping schedule this morning (11-28-2012) and 6-11425 now does not even appear on the listing.

But, then, I'm not complaining.  Just shopping around for a Christmas present for myself since it appears that Lionel's primary competitor has let me down on all my backordered stuff (I just checked the list that Charlie, of Nassau Hobbies, posted here listing items due to ship by Dec. 15).  

This is, as they say, the "new normal." 

Well shoot.  The local shop had told me that the new Great Northern Mountain Mover RTR set we were going to start our collection with was coming out in December, but the schedule shows it now as shipping Jan 13th.  Definitely NOT in time for Christmas, plus I hate delays anyway

Probably my punishment for even mentioning the item!

But all is okay...I decided to hold off on that item anyhow (a bit too rich for my budget considering it's a small conventional switcher.  If it had Legacy, it would be near the top of my "wanted" list).

ALL the 0-4-0 Shifters have been removed from the schedule as of 11/28. So has the Postwar Wabash F-3 AB set.

Much has been moved back to January 2013. The Berkshire sets are now shown for February 2013.

If you thought yesterday's schedule was weird, take a look at today's!

Crap. Another update today. The UP ALCO Anniversary Set (the main item I’m waiting on) is now FEB ’13!  That’s getting pretty close to one-year from when I preordered.

Oh, well. I seem to be in good company.

I've noticed in the past that items I am tracking often-even usually- disappear from the shipping list for a day or two while they are posting changes (they've been shipped, they've been re-scheduled, they're now listed as cancelled).  

As soon as I get a update from Debbie I will post it. ALOT of items are going to be coming in the next 30 days.

Yes... the now infamous second "partial shipment" of UP 4-12-2 #9000 locomotives has slipped another month from Nov to Dec -- something that shouldn't really surprise me, since it wasn't listed on the shipping letter that Lionel sent to some dealers highlighting stuff expected to ship to stores through mid-December. 

Alan said it best above when he mentioned the folks most impacted by these product delays are the small LHS's who count on certain items to arrive for a healthy Christmas shopping season.  Most of us here waiting for a particular item will purchase it WHENEVER it arrives.  But LHS -- and even large dealers -- count on somewhat-spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment Nov/Dec sales to make their sales goals for the year.  By January, the mindset of those "Christmas shoppers" are WAY past buying gifts, so it's a lost revenue potential that can't be recovered for the prior fiscal year.

Many years ago, one VERY large Lionel dealer told me if Lionel couldn't deliver the stuff he ordered in time for Christmas, then he didn't even want to accept the shipment if it came in January.  Can't blame him at all.

David

Thanks, Charlie.  Like you, we're anxiously awaiting what may or may not arrive this December.  We appreciate all you do to help us better plan our spending!!!  

I guess that's why I'm so disappointed with Lionel and their online shipping schedule.  It is, after all is said and done, a customer-facing document that should be held to a higher standard of accuracy than internal correspondences that obviously discuss matters that are in a constant state of flux.  As consumers, we don't NEED to know every nuance of each product's shipping status.  However, it's nice to walk away knowing that the folks working Stateside at least have a handle on what's going on overseas.  And that clearly hasn't been the case this year.

David

I'll wait a few days for the dust to settle. Apparently they are updating the list as we type. The present 11-28-12 list has changed in the last 2 hours, from the one I saved earlier today. Oh well, not all is lost I just got back my UP centipede & Blue Comet engine back from Lionel CS. Many thanks to Mike and his crew.

Well the Navy and Marine stuff was kicked back to Dec 13. Maybe the 3rd time will be a charm????

Larry

Now one of the dealers is stating the Postwar Illinois Central Set is in stock but is due to ship Dec 12'

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...Just have to wait for it to arrive, whenever...

And the MTH shipping list is no better -- worse, IMO. Still, it's better than nothing.

...but I darn sure haven't found a dealer that has it in stock and ready to go.

Allan, we have one left when they come in next week.

Thanks, Mikado for the info. You explained a lot!

This is slightly off the main topic, but was curious why the NYC 20th Century Diner Car without sounds was dropped.  Shortly after replacing the on with sounds.  Will there ever be a Diner Car for this set?  I have the other cars and like them, but would really like to have the Diner and maybe a few more Sleeper Cars to.   John

maybe LRRC members could get a password and be able to read the file.  and it can be shielded so no one can copy it.

Wow .... today my Pennsylvania Offset Hopper (3pk) set was pushed back to next year. That means all three items I ordered that had early fall delivery dates will not make it for Christmas. Bummer.

Such is life.

I know Lionel is trying. Great getting info from Mike at Lionel, too.

I posted a update like I said I would. Check it out

Help! Can't locate the list.

here;

https://ogrforum.com/d...471772992751?rl=true