S at York

I'll be at York and will inquire.

Thank You

Per Lionel there will not be another Flyer catalog this year, however he stated that the next catalog will be larger in pages.  Maybe this means more items??!!

Same answer here. Also was informed to order by May as that is apparently a deadline that determines the production numbers and probably what will be dropped.

 

Rich 

That is unfortunate. The pace that they are releasing new product may be brisk by S standards, but it is lame by any other standard. I am trying to build a new S layout using Fastrack. So I will have to wait until next Feb. to even see what they are planning on bringing out later in 2013? They better have several new turnouts, new radius curves, and at least half sections. I guess it will be a few years before Fastrack is a viable system. I have a feeling I see a lot more HO modeling in the near future until Lionel can really get up to speed.

Major, Rich

 

Thanks for asking.  That is a little disappointing, but on the other hand it will give the wallet a rest for a while.  I really beat my train budget to death with the new catalog.  I hope the right number of pre-orders come in to get what we have all ordered produced and delivered.

 

Ben   

I would rather see one annual catalog with realistic production possibilities than two semi-annual catalogs fraught with delays and cancellations.

 

Rusty

I hear you. But how can Lionel expect to get a good foothold with Fastrack if their next new piece of Fastrack won't even get announced until almost a year from now? I hope that there is a lot more in the next catalog, not from a new engine perspective, but from a baseline perspective. By that I mean scale wheels also on steam engines, Fully fleshed out track system, new diesel drive system, possible DCC integration, etc.

 

This is a frustrating time for newcommers to S. Trying to build a new layout right now is like trying to read a crystal ball and it is starting to bother me. I think that I am just going to finish my code 100 switching layout and play with some HO at the same time until some of the basic questions in S get worked out. If ever there was a scale in need of standards, it is S.

Actually, I can't recall a time when it wasn't frustrating for a newcomer to get into S, be it scale or hirail.  Over the past 25+ years I've been in S, it seems something crucial was always unavailable at one time or another.

 

Frankly, I don't see where Lionel has to wait for a catalog to release more track components. 

 

Simply announce new track availability on their website and with dealer notices, plus let it migrate through boards like OGR & YaHoo.  Then put them in the next catalog when printed, like they did with the new O gauge EM1's and 2-8-2's.

 

Rusty

If we are gunna play the "why don't they game"...where are the starter sets?  If there is commitment on Lionel's part with S fastrack, specifically the future sustainability of it, lets get the starter sets up and running.  I want to see Lionel succeed in the future with S, new blood is in the starter sets!  (By starter set I mean something other then the NYC docksider set. Get a GP9/7 or Baldwin set up and running)

 

Ben

While at York I could have purchased any kind of track that has been available to include switches.  S- Helper, American Models, Flyer and Flyer fast track.  Track is available but not necessarily in one location. All kinds rolling stock and locomotives were available to include buildings and figures. I am discovering new S-stuff all the time.  I too would like to see more track work available for the hi-rail segment of our S-scale community but will survive on what is currently available.

I understand Rusty. It really is unfortunate. I have to admit that I am getting tired of always running into some kind of roadblock in S.

 

I hope you are right about the track, but I would bet they wait for the next catalog.

 

I was hoping to build this new layout this year, but I guess I'll focus on the scale layout this year and revisit this one next year sometime.

 

I can't build a layout with only 3 pieces of track so I'm not going to try.