New Scooby Doo boxcar - Not a good match to the Set

Was this car made in the US possibly? That looks like the printing process they are using for US-made former Weaver cars.

The finish is different for sure. Rolling by at speed......may not notice. Otherwise looks nice if you like fantasy stuff....

I think I'd be happy that it had upgraded trucks.  Now the paint is odd.  Interesting .. Most say the USA done cars are awesome!   I think I have a few and they look good!   Wonder with is up with that car?

Jim

I agree. Looks like two completely different sets.

Gives the impression that the mfg doesn't care, or thinks the buyer is too unimportant to produce product properly for.

Not a good representation for the manufacturer in my mind.

It would go back.

The boxcar that came with the set is a 6464 style boxcar, while your new add-on is a 9400 series style boxcar. Maybe the latter worked better with the printing process used for that car, or perhaps they wanted to offer variety. (It's common to have different types of boxcars in the same consist.)

The ready-to-run sets, are as you probably know, inexpensive and entry-level, designed to maximize profits. (It's my understanding that they are one of the primary sources of profits for Lionel, compared to say the BTO and scale lines.) The add-on car is designed to be more of a collectible. Since it's a single item, it needs to be higher quality to add value, and attract interest.

It is a USA car.    But I must add that in the catalog it shows exactly the car you have.   With the side ribs gone and sprung trucks.   I'm not a fan of the paint job.   Hope others are much better.   Maybe someone else on here got one also and can comment?

Jim

Actually I like the better trucks, The paint job is not a deal breaker, just that it is different is the issue.

Matt_GNo27 posted:

The boxcar that came with the set is a 6464 style boxcar, while your new add-on is a 9400 series style boxcar. Maybe the latter worked better with the printing process used for that car, or perhaps they wanted to offer variety. (It's common to have different types of boxcars in the same consist.)

The ready-to-run sets, are as you probably know, inexpensive and entry-level, designed to maximize profits. (It's my understanding that they are one of the primary sources of profits for Lionel, compared to say the BTO and scale lines.) The add-on car is designed to be more of a collectible. Since it's a single item, it needs to be higher quality to add value, and attract interest.

If it was just a special high end car, yes, but it should match the set.  It just looks odd, like it came from another set when you put it in the consist.  Should have kept same trucks at least in my opinion.  In person the color pop of the graphics between the 2 cars is night & day.  Much more dull on the add-on car.  Whatever that process is they are using, it is very dull.

This is not a high end set , would have been better to stick with original design and match the set.

They have another boxcar with sounds and Aquarium car coming out for it this year.  Wonder what they will look like.

Forgetting whether or not we like the new add-on, from Sean's video, it looks like it matches the catalog picture re: smooth side, etc..

Different factories, different results...

SandJam posted:

Matt_GNo27 posted:

The boxcar that came with the set is a 6464 style boxcar, while your new add-on is a 9400 series style boxcar. Maybe the latter worked better with the printing process used for that car, or perhaps they wanted to offer variety. (It's common to have different types of boxcars in the same consist.)

The ready-to-run sets, are as you probably know, inexpensive and entry-level, designed to maximize profits. (It's my understanding that they are one of the primary sources of profits for Lionel, compared to say the BTO and scale lines.) The add-on car is designed to be more of a collectible. Since it's a single item, it needs to be higher quality to add value, and attract interest.

If it was just a special high end car, yes, but it should match the set.  It just looks odd, like it came from another set when you put it in the consist.  Should have kept same trucks at least in my opinion.  In person the color pop of the graphics between the 2 cars is night & day.  Much more dull on the add-on car.  Whatever that process is they are using, it is very dull.

This is not a high end set , would have been better to stick with original design and match the set.

They have another boxcar with sounds and Aquarium car coming out for it this year.  Wonder what they will look like.

 

 

It will be like the new one you just got.   Smooth sides and sprung trucks... IF the catalog picture is correct on it like it was on the one you just got.

Jim

Interesting post.

I'm one in the camp of (in general) being satisfied  with the new USA assembled cars(though I do acknowledge the limitations of the printing method used), and I generally have noticed fewer (IMO) random defects such as scratches.

However, I have probably always been purchasing either stand alone cars, or cars that are all part of a series and all made in the same fashion.  I don't think I've ever purchased a USA assembled car that is meant to match another set that was made in China.

Now I'm going to have to look back and see if I have a mix (like different year Christmas cars made differently, or maybe the President's cars, which started several years ago).

I'm with Jeff T's analysis, I'd suspect the look of your other 2 add-ons might depend on where they are produced.  If they are USA assembled, I'd suspect similar graphics to what you have for your add-on boxcar.  (Without flipping through a bunch of catalogs, I need to admit I'm not sure if they have ever offered something like Aquarium Cars or Boxcars including sounds in the Assembled in USA line?)  If they are made in China, I'd suspect they will probably match your set.  (though from a post above it seems the catalog pictures were actually done with intent of representing the finish and trucks for this series )

-Dave

Ruh roh.  ZOIKS!

Jon  

I think that the colors should match the other car in the set.  Even real railroads match the colors when they purchase a group (set) of cars.  I prefer the original bright blue.  I think that if they were going to use a different blue on the new car they should have used the baby blue that is used on the engine and the other items in the set.  Make it match or totally different.

NH Joe

Why Complain ?  

It is a vary nice car.  I like the metal trucks vs the plastic trucks on the set box car.   The price of the car at $85 retail is crazy .  

if you look at FROSTY set .  The add on cars were better than the set cars .  

Are you going to complain about the new two Add on cars for the Scooby set in the new catalog ?   They are most likely  being made in china .  Most likely with plastic trucks for $85 each  .   

In case you did not know it the Engine appears to be a Lion chief + with out the smoke unit & remote couplers ! better for us ! 

I am happy with the set & current add on car.   I will be ordering the two new add cars as well ! 

Yup, oh well I guess matching the set was not a priority.  I'm keeping it either way, but didn't think it would stick out so much.

I like matched sets personally.  And looking at the catalog it may match what was produced, not saying it doesn't,

but I didn't notice those details in a small catalog picture against the actual product in person.

Not a fan of the Old Weaver process if that is what they are using.  The other cars coming this year will have electronics & motors so interesting to see what they look like in person if coming from China again.

New Haven Joe posted:

I think that the colors should match the other car in the set.  Even real railroads match the colors when they purchase a group (set) of cars.  I prefer the original bright blue.  I think that if they were going to use a different blue on the new car they should have used the baby blue that is used on the engine and the other items in the set.  Make if match or totally different.

NH Joe

Yeah I agree.  Either match it or just make it a new color.

.....and they would've gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids on that forum!

WRGMILW posted:

Why Complain ?  

It is a vary nice car.  I like the metal trucks vs the plastic trucks on the set box car.   The price of the car at $85 retail is crazy .  

if you look at FROSTY set .  The add on cars were better than the set cars .  

Are you going to complain about the new two Add on cars for the Scooby set in the new catalog ?   They are most likely  being made in china .  Most likely with plastic trucks for $85 each  .   

In case you did not know it the Engine appears to be a Lion chief + with out the smoke unit & remote couplers ! better for us ! 

I am happy with the set & current add on car.   I will be ordering the two new add cars as well ! 

I am not complaining just stating I like match sets and these add-ons are much different.

Plus if they had done the matching plastic trucks could have made it a little cheaper.

It is not a Lion Chief Plus engine, it is a Lion Chief engine.  All Lion Chief Diesels do NOT have smoke.  Only Lion Chief steam have puffing smoke.

Let's all stay positive.  

Read the editor's comments "A letter to the membership.  . . Please read"

I like it.  I do not have any of these kinds of sets, but honestly for some reason, the Scooby set appeals to me.    I would also like to get the Hogwarts Express set and add on car.  My daughter and I spend a lot of time watching the movies, and have been down to Universal Studios a couple times.  We are fans.  Come to think of it, for that reason alone, I should get that set!

As to the matching/non-matching, for me in the last years or so I have actually gotten to liking differences like this.  I watch a lot of old PRR videos and those mixed freights had crazy amount of variety in the rolling stock.  I know its not the same issue, but that thinking sort of influences how I feel about this Scooby car.  Just sharing my opinion!

Hi there 

If you compare the Lion chief  FT to the Lion chief +  Ft ,  you would notice you got two motors instead of one in the Scooby engine.  The lion chief + has two motors .   It is for sure a stronger puller than the earlier FT units in the sets .   

Weaver cars  had  great graphics for their price of $40 with the plastic trucks .   The new paint jobs are different on the USA Lionel cars .  

This is a cartoon starter set plain and simple.  I personally would have a problem with diecast sprung trucks on anything for that matter.  If the extra car came with plastic truck everyone would complain about the price of the car with plastic trucks.  It is what it is. Lionel is not going to change anything on the car or do another run of them. So what it all comes down to is either live with the car or return it if your not satisfied.  

Bottom line is it sure is a conversation piece.

Begs the question if these new add on car changes will affect other sets? Say the WW2 cars or the president cars?

I think everything's okay except the paint. Don't care for the crystallized finish.  Thinking that had to be a mistake. Why would they purposely make a paint finish like that? 

Chris Lonero posted:

.... I personally would have a problem with diecast sprung trucks on anything for that matter.....

Why would you “have a problem with diecast sprung trucks on anything for that matter”?  Most people these days have a problem if they don’t have diecast sprung trucks.

WRGMILW posted:

Hi there 

If you compare the Lion chief  FT to the Lion chief +  Ft ,  you would notice you got two motors instead of one in the Scooby engine.  The lion chief + has two motors .   It is for sure a stronger puller than the earlier FT units in the sets .   

Weaver cars  had  great graphics for their price of $40 with the plastic trucks .   The new paint jobs are different on the USA Lionel cars .  

 

I purchased the Santa Fe Super Chief ready-to-run set last December.  That set also has an FT engine with two motors.  It is not a Lionchief Plus engine either.

Here is a link to the Lionchief Plus Santa Fe FT engines #164 & 161 information on Lionel's website;

http://www.lionel.com/products...sels-164-161-6-82290

The Lionchief Plus FT engines have many additional features including smoke, electro couplers, and the ability to run in conventional (transformer control) mode, that the regular Lionchief FT engines do not have.  Having two motors is not what makes an engine Lionchief Plus.

Is it really a crystallized finish, or is it paint crazing?  

That kind of looks like what happened to me decades ago when I used solvent based Floquil on plastic without putting Barrier on it first.  Solvent attacked the plastic and caused "paint crinkles".

Fred

Fred Brenek posted:

Is it really a crystallized finish, or is it paint crazing?  

That kind of looks like what happened to me decades ago when I used solvent based Floquil on plastic without putting Barrier on it first.  Solvent attacked the plastic and caused "paint crinkles".

Fred

My suspicion is neither.  All of the Assembled in USA cars with this decoration method have that general look to them.

Unless there is something particularly "off" in the one Sean shows in the video, but it looked normal to me (aside from the subject of it not matching the set as well as would be hoped by most).

-Dave

It should match the rest of the set, I think a full set of the new car would look nice to. 

Not seeing it in person, it may be smooth to the finish.  But to me it looks like what happens when you you spray paint or clear coat and it starts to set up, and then you go back and accidentally mist or get overspray on the previously finished area. Gives that sandpaper type appearance.

Dave45681 posted:

Fred Brenek posted:

Is it really a crystallized finish, or is it paint crazing?  

That kind of looks like what happened to me decades ago when I used solvent based Floquil on plastic without putting Barrier on it first.  Solvent attacked the plastic and caused "paint crinkles".

Fred

My suspicion is neither.  All of the Assembled in USA cars with this decoration method have that general look to them.

Unless there is something particularly "off" in the one Sean shows in the video, but it looked normal to me (aside from the subject of it not matching the set as well as would be hoped by most).

-Dave

 

They are all like that not just the one I bought.  Its the process they are using.

I like your Harry Potter set. That scooby set is very nice now that I looked at it on your shelf .

EscapeRocks posted:

Forgetting whether or not we like the new add-on, from Sean's video, it looks like it matches the catalog picture re: smooth side, etc..

Yup it does and as someone mentioned the add-on is a different boxcar style.  I did notice the doors don't match the catalog though.  Mine just have the words Scooby Doo on them where the catalog shows the name of the episode its depicting.  Guess someone goofed. 

As someone mentioned these are Made in USA cars.  So I looked through 2019 catalog and I can now see they are using this same car and technique for all USA boxcars with full graphics on side.  So no more detail on sides for these. 

Now I know.

The newer process has been around for a few years now. Take a look at the 2015 Macy's boxcar, same type of finish.

I don't care for that finish at all, regardless of where it is made. That said, it's a shame they can't or won't do better than that. It looks nothing like what you see from overseas.

I would like to see a whole string of the new cars together to see how they look. Not a fan of the Macy cars.

ed h posted:

The newer process has been around for a few years now. Take a look at the 2015 Macy's boxcar, same type of finish.

 

Ok yeah I see what you mean.  I had no idea this is how the USA boxcars looked.

This has been a learning thread for me.

Honestly, I won't be buying USA made boxcars.  Personally I think they look bad.  Lionel has been doing boxcars for decades with graphics without having that horrible finish.

The graphics become so dull.

Video from the Lionel Youtube channel showing a G scale car being decorated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZORhjsMPgrI