New Lionel Uncataloged Steamer announced

Thanks for the info Charlie!

Thanks for the info, Charlie.  

 

Interesting that Lionel is producing these pilot models quite regularly these days.  Seems like something more inline with a collector's market rather than today's operator-oriented world.  But they must be moving a few of these... or they're simply trying to "create" a market for them.

 

David

When will they be available, and how much?

Legacy equipped presumably?

 

Rod

Define "undecorated"...?  Does that mean an unpainted zamac casting with bare brass

handrails or just unlettered, not logical for a road-specific loco such as this, or???????????

Heres the "undecorated" S3 offering.

 

These have typically been unpainted "pilot/engineering" models -- silver color with brass trim.  Not the same "undecorated" that we see with Atlas O, which is more of a plain painted, unlettered model.

 

David

MSRP 1299.99  They should be shipping shortly

I agree. This is a strange selection to offer unpainted. Beside UP who else had them? Lionel Lines? 

 

Pete

Guys and gals, most folks who purchase these leave them untouched as delivered for display.  They don't paint them for another road name.  Thus my comment about them being more for a collector's market.  Each to their own.

 

David

Ok, the reason they make these special pilot models is that they help Lionel get to their "numbers" on the tooling costs and offer a special unque collectors item!

Sounds reasonable since Lionel just did another small production run of this model that was delivered in January/Feb 2013.

 

David

Although not for me if it helps Lionel to make money then I'm all for it. 

Thanks for the info., Charlie!

About 13 or 14 years ago I asked Scott Mann to do an undecorated Santa Fe Northern, I think #3751. He told me I was a little bit nutso (correct), but with money and an advance order he did it anyway and lacquered it. I had Mike Reagan upgrade it (it was one of the last engine Trainamerica worked on) and its a beaut.

 

I think that the "engineering" or unfinished engines are great. As shelf queens. IMO, the Lionel and MTH gold hudsons are in this category also.

 

Gerry

 

 

Charlie,

If you have pictures, please post and all information pertaining to this new locomotive.

This is the fourth release of the pilot editions, the others being the EM-1, S-3, and a pacific. I think Lionel refers to these as Pilot editions so as not to conflict with MTH who refers to theirs as Engineering editions. MTH had produced 2 of these the French Chapleon first then a NYC Mohawk. MTH however did not limit these to less than 75 pieces and are therefore easier to find. These are definitely meant to be Engineering editions and they are clear coated. I suppose some could paint them but that would reduce them number on original condition. By the way Rick O that is a very nice pic of my dining room table and a good pic of my engine as well.

Its amazing what can be found on "google images" Thanks for taking that photo so I was able to clear up some of the confusion.

RicK O, No problem, glad you were able to find it. I like these editions as they interest my engineering side. Similar to those non-painted HO brass engines had always interested me. The 4-12-2 will be my 6th, as I have the others I mentioned. I hope to have them all on display someday in one place in a case.

My LHS has had that Pacific on display and discounted more then a month with no takers. Must say though, its a pretty nice looking piece.

The one steamer that I think would have been cool as a pilot model might have been the Kline Berk.  They're gone now but all that add on detail in brass would have made a good show.

Joe