Lionels next visionine product?

All die-cast UP "Big Blow" Gas Turbine.  At least that's what I am hoping for. 

 

 

A pink girls train

Whatever is selected, two things are certain.....1) I want it, and, 2) I can't afford it.

The Lionel Veranda was all die-cast; the tooling is nice, but not up to Vision standards,

especially around the trucks. Not bad, just dated (I'm fine with them).

Tooling can be upgraded/changed, of course.

 

So, I'm thinking maybe that Lionel might go for the 3-unit 8500 hp 
"Super Turbine" - MTH did one years and years ago, and a Lionel Legacy version

would be intriguing. The die-cast idea would set it apart from the MTH loco.

 

So would the price.

It will be large,popular and iconic.I'm thinking a GG1 since Lionel hasn't made a scale GG1 since the JLC issues w/RS5 or one with Legacy. 

I am with Boomer, I would like to see a VisionLine, or a Legacy GG1, in Tuscon color.

Now, a Sante Fe F3 or F7 Red and Silver War Bonnet Visionline Engine would be great also. A, Powered B, Dummy  A , So, whatever they choose, It will be a crowd pleaser......Wow...

Ditto

I think there is a chance of the 611 or the C&O 1309 (the engine currently being restored at the WMSR).

nope your all wrong next big vision line item........ 

 

engineer is waving to us as his locomotive passes by!!

 

seriously I have to say we need new blood enough of the same old same old re-issues how about something new surely there are other railroads that have never been made!

and as long as were dreaming how about a vision line product that includes every feature meaning  cylinder blow down whistle smoke swinging bell and all the other nice vision line features created all under one shell!

also stop the shared smoke features and allow the ability to use cab-2 or lcs to turn whistle smoke feature off yet the smoke stack keeps working or vise versa.

 

hey If your going to dream might as well go all out!!

 

as said earlier I want it! I can't afford it but still would like to see it on a video.

 

In terms of ones I'd like to see most as a candidate for the Vision Line, I'm opting for the Reading T-1 4-8-4. An important engine in Lionel's history, and can be done in multiple paint schemes (American Freedom, Chessie Steam Special, and all versions of the Reading lines).

When a engine or RS whether old or new tooling is marketed as VL, its a new feature in that engine or RS that qualifies it as VL. not the engine itself.

Joe

How about a lash of two or three hood diesels, with Legacy control for disappearing engineers and cab lighting. Smoke, sound, and electro-couplers on all units. Crew Talk to only the occupies cab.

 

I don't care if they're ALCO, EMD, GE, or F-M locomotives , or even a mix. Maybe a combination of railroads that include a merged railroad, e.g., L&N and NC&StL.

How about FEF 844? I think that would be awesome. But an F7 would great too, maybe NS business car special? Wow! 

How about a steamer with scale valve gear and side rods. I know the big boy and challenger were close.

When I think of the term "Vision", at least as it is applied here, I think of forward looking or forward thinking.  Something that is ahead of us, something that is new.

 

I would like to see a new Locomotive.  Even partially new (i.e. recent heavy mikado). Diesel or steam.  Something that hasn't been produced yet would be appealing.  The smaller the better to show off their technological excellence in miniaturization.

 

Something that clearly demonstrates that Lionel has Vision.

I second the opinion that it would be nice to have many of the features all in one shell.  When my family does the North Pole Express every year, the steam engine just sits at idle at the station as were board it, emanating steam from everywhere.  To me, the closest to realistic was the VL Challenger. Didn't need to launch blow down or Dynamo, the smoke just, prototypically, emanated. And it has whistle and stack steam.  I also like my VLBB but I would have liked it more if it had some auto smoke features too.  A swinging bell, when prototypical, is also cool.  In terms of diesels, I liked the Genset with the three stacks kicking in at different RPMs.  I'm not schooled enough to have a strong opinion on a particular next VL locomotive, but whatever it is, I hope it's aesthetically pleasing and is very feature rich. 

To be fair, that didn't stop Lionel from doing the new 700E Hudson.

EMD GP50 would be a great presentation! Railroads that purchased the GP50 new from EMD: ATSF, BN, CNW, MP, Southern

 

It's gonna be a allegheny and it will be 2k plus

To begin, I really like the idea of releasing only one Vision locomotive in a certain time period. I definitely think that's the way to go in these days of BTO.

 

Secondly, I think it's important to note how the vision of the Vision line has changed. Initially, we were offered engines that were unique, maybe never even offered before. As of late, the engines offered have been re-issues with spectacular features. Some would argue that those features have been lackluster, but in the initial description in the 2009 catalog, each offering was to simulate "real life." As such, we got a depleting coal load and "wheel slippage" this year with the Big Boy. Perhaps as mentioned earlier, we get a waving engineer or shoveling figure in the cab of a notable steamer (most of you know these are not new ideas and have been done already). Nevertheless, an added feature worthy of the tag line "real life."

 

Finally, I also think it's important to realize the bevy of product that over the years, really could've fit into the Vision category. The list could include, but certainly wouldn't be limited to:

 

• Stationsounds passenger cars
• magic electrol
• the hotbox reefers
• breakdown b units
• work lights on modern diesels
• putting tmcc/legacy in postwar units
• Superbass units

The list could go on and on I suppose. Ultimately, it's up to the consumer to decide if Lionel's Vision lives up to your own vision. If it does, then there's a sale brewing!

 

My 2 cents!

Lionel need to really exploit the meaning of the word vision:

 

Wikipedia: "In business, vision is foresight - the capacity to envisage future market trends and plan accordingly"

 

While their steam effect have been fantastic (it was the main reason I started buying their products and left MTH behind), these effects have some inherit design problems, it has been years and it seems there no fix in sight (motor failures, not smoking as designed...etc)

 

Some Lionel marketeers are sitting on their chairs in their "comfort zone" selling the same models over and over again using 10+ year old molds. Sound sets that are incorrect but advertised as recorded from the exact model...Please, get up and think out side the box. Design some NEW molds with super details that will last you another 10 years, but with "vision" in its concept.

 

Having said all that, Lionel IS producing some great products. Like I said before, I was never interested in Lionel's locos because I thought they lacked detail and looked toy-sh. Now with their steam effects, Legacy system, IR bar, fantastic sounds, I have spent thousands of $$ and I will spend more as long as they satisfy my desires...

 

New Scale operating couplers.....MTH did it on HO, they can't do it on O scale????

Please!!!!

 

2R,3R,DCC, Scale wheels...MTH does it, wake up Lionel, you can make more money for your "in their comfort zone" executives if you follow suit..

 

Scale track with removable center rail to make 2R (you heard it here first, I am applying for a patent) with correct ties and rail profile and with sound deadening road bed, easily done. They just need the desire to adventure into the future vision!

 

I don't believe Lionel is a small company in a unique hobby world. There are Italian sport motorcycle companies in small villages in Italy, with 150 employees making top line sport bikes, Ducati, MV Agusta, Binelli, with new innovation and with a budget less than what Lionel is selling their VL for top $$ (scaled properly of course)....my guess of course so don't get overly excited..

 

My opinions, don't tell me how to think, I won't tell you how to think either...

 

Where there is a will there are many ways

I'm thinking not just a locomotive, but a whole train.  How about a Santa Fe Super Chief with an F7 ABBA consist, or a Pennsy Broadway Limited with a K4 Pacific.  the locos and cars would have "steam" coming out of the steam lines.  One of the coaches would have an animated conductor that would roam up and down the aisle.  The RPO would operate with a mechanism that kicks out a mail bag and an arm that grabs the mail bag from the trackside pole, all controlled by the Legacy remote.  The cars would also have sounds such as mechanical noise (AC, generators, etc.), flange squeal, all of the pings and bangs associated with the suspension and brake squeal.

 

Other than the steam lines, there would not be much new for the locomotives.  All of the other fun stuff in the cars would cost an arm and a leg.  It would be a real show stopper.

 

Tom

more modern Vision line tank cars with sound!!

How about the newest modern mechanical reefers with sound??

I was sad to see the release of the older era ones that won't work for my layout era.

If it was using old tooling again, my hope would be for the C&O H-8 Allegheny with the correct whistle and the full feature 'under one hood' as stated earlier.

 

I know the wireless tether will be around for a while, so how about if they make the draw bars adjustable to bring the cab and tender closer together on all of their steam engines? How about interchangeable couplers between the A and B units of diesels for the same reason? I think high rail folks with larger layouts might appreciate being able to make that quick and simple adjustment.

 

As others have mentioned, there are plenty of other locomotives, rolling stock and accessories that can be done. Going for something new in a diesel, how about an ALCO HH660 or C-430? Maybe one of the LIMA diesel switchers? I think there is enough interest in the small locomotives. How about one those massive 2-8-0's the Reading and D&H had? CNJ 0-6-0 #113 anyone? WM K-2 Pacific? SP&S #700 has been around a while....

 

I do realize that the larger the locomotive, the easier it is to accomplish adding the most features. The miniaturization of the components, would change that, although at a cost(???).

 

I like the suggestion of the mechanical reefers. Operating hopper cars that could empty out at the chosen site from a Legacy controlled IR sensor track/stand.

 

How about updating some of their iconic post war accessories that operate from the Legacy control, but make them in a scale version?

 

Upgradeable sound chip sets? Even for the older Rail Sounds equipped locomotives and Station Sounds Dining cars.

 

I've read a lot of interesting ideas here and agree that the "Vision Line" should be the future Vision of all of their products.

 

How about carrying over simple things already developed? The "semi rigid" pilots developed on GE EVO/ES44? Why not put that across the entire line of diesels?

 

How about the engine sounds as well as the smoke in the dummy units? When a real A-B-B-A set rolls by, the lead unit isn't the only one making sound. And/or simple upgrade kits to add it to existing/previous runs of diesels?

 

I think the 'visions' of those in the hobby posting here, will help spur the future of Lionel's "Vision Line".  At the very least, I will keeping dreaming. 

Since vision line is about extra features, how about an ALCo c636 with the turbo lag smoke! Like the 1:1, as you accelerate, the smoke starts pouring out of the stack simulating the turbo lag. Get the loco up to speed and the smoke output settles to normal.

Bowser just came out with a superb HO model of the C636 featuring road specific detailing so Lionel has an excellent starting point right there. That said, I'm thinking that huge fuel tank which is a key element of the hulking appearance of the C636 could pose a problem in three rail O gauge.

 

Bob

 

prrhorseshoecurve.

I like the idea of the ALCO "hiccup"

 

CNJ 3676.

The tank, maybe - maybe not.

 

Lionel, how about a simple interchangeable fuel tank on the scale diesels? That is included with them. Tighter turns and older switches, a shallow tank like the SD80/90. Larger turns, smaller switch machines then the full scale tank like the AC6000, WE are talking a few screws by the owner to swap them out (plus the hardware holding the speakers).