MTH 2013 vol 1 and Lionel 2012 vol 2 are in!

Unfortunately, not much of interest in either catalog.

+1

I have a big interest in the catalogs and spelling correction.

Andrew

The reason to get both catalogs is to compare what is similar and what is not.

Two catalogs compared will help everyone decide what to order immediately and what to wait for later.

It will also show who has the best and worst fantasy schemes.

Andrew

If referring to my original post, grammer was present tense. I also was typing on my mobile phone...which, has a spell checking mind of it's own. Not an excuse, but definitely something that has tripped me up more than not.

Keep it up!

Chris

I am relatively new to the hobby being here just about exactly one year (had a Lionel set as a kid over 30 years ago).  Bought my twin sons the Lionel Polar Express set last year (out of name recognition) and then the Railking N&W passenger set. Looking at the two, I couldn't believe how little Lionel gives you for the same price as the Railking set.  And then, when doing my research last year to expand our empire, I really thought MTH had it all over Lionel.  While I bought some MTH Premier sets, I also bought the Lionel R-16 NYC subway set because of its operating doors.  But then most of the windows had fallen out before I even opened the box.  The replacement set was worse.  Everything from MTH was tip-top.  And, I called both MTH and Lionel over the year to discuss various things.  My impression is that Lionel customer service has an elitist attitude.  Finally, MTH engines and cars are very well made.  It doesn't use the hobby as its test lab for new product glitches.  And prices for comparable Lionel products are typically significantly higher.  Again, this is all just my own impression.   

A year later, however, I'm a little disappointed with MTH.  It seemed to be an innovator and yet it now seems (at least outwardly) to have fallen behind.  In the last few years, Lionel has brought to market a smoking whistle in O gauge, blow down effects, variable glow fire-box and operating bell.  MTH?  None of the above.  And no word as to if or when it will ever compete on these awesome features.  So, if the hobbyist wants these features, they must buy from Lionel.  And, once the hobbysit buys these Lionel engines, he/she would likely be inclined to get the Legacy system.  Assuming things stay as they are for the foreseeable future, the MTH trains are replaced with more feature-oriented Lionel trains and DCS is replaced by Legacy - so the MTH stuff ends up on eBay and MTH can kiss this market share goodbye.  Really hope they turns things around soon and re-focus on core O gauge rather than continuing to diversify the portfolio into HO, S, 1Gauge, and European O.  I too was disappointed with the MTH catalogues... 

Peter