S Gaugian MTH/Lionel interview.

The only PA's I would like to see Lionel do are SP (which they are doing), ATSF, D&RGW (the black and yellow scheme), UP, and New Haven (in the new hunter green or the black, red and white paint shemes). In my opinion I could care less about the MTH (SHS) 2-8-0. Its a nice but its just not really my cup of tea anymore. Those things have some maintance issues that need get worked on with the electrical pick ups. The scale berk will do pretty good I think. I agree that Lionel needs to reissue the heavyweight cars.

Tim

 

I too would jump at ATSF Alco PAs with Legacy. The 1997 set I have is still the best looking Alco PAs I have. 

 

Ben. 

Ben,

I agree with you completely. Theres no doubt in my mind that I would jump on them. The ATSF and UP ALCO PA's I would jump on plus one of the berks. 

Will there be an American Flyer 2014 Vol. 2 catalog this fall?

 

Regards,

Swafford

That would be a big NO. I believe Lionel will not be doing a Vol. 2 catalog for their signature edition catalog as well. The one flyer catalog a year is fine. 

While the Polar Express isn't my cup of tea, we can only hope that the Flyer version approaches the popularity of the O gauge versions.  Seems to have been a pretty good cash cow for Lionel over the years and if it helps to bring some new folks into S, I'm all for it.

 

Hopefully, the other long delayed Berkshire sets would follow shortly.

 

As far as MTH, I think we're still in "chicken or egg" mode and that might explain the lack of interest in passenger cars.  Once the F3's finally come out, they might be the trigger for passenger car interest.  I still think that tooling up for a non-SHS freight car in parallel with SHS re-releases might help invigorate interest.

 

S-Gauging the MTH buildings is kind of vague.  Are they talking about tooling up S proportioned buildings or just modifying O gauge buildings?  While some of their structures are closer to S than O, (the large brick depot, for example) others are not. 

 

Guess we'll have to wait and see.  While there's a fair amount of S "craftsman" structures out there, there is a lack of easy-to-build or ready-to-place buildings in S.

 

Rusty

Passenger cars and Ready-Built structures seem like a no-brainer to me. It all depends on how many SHS reruns they sell though.

What a shame that S scale never quite achieves that state of critical mass needed to take the next step. MTH could do it, but they need to put some product out and make a real commitment in order to succeed. 

 

Jeff C

Rich,

MTH is still in egg mode and will probably be in it for a while. I really could care less on RTR Lionel AF berks sets. In all honestity they could've put their legacy railsounds package in it. But what can you do about that. 

 

John,

I agree with you but I think that won't happen for at least another 5 years. What ever happens will be.  

Tim, you misunderstand what the target market is for the Flyerchief set Berks.  They are aimed at getting the new consumer interested in Flyer.  I've noticed on the O gauge side, the Lionchief stuff is proving to be quite popular with new and old alike.

 

Few new folks start out with top of the line stuff.

 

Sure, Lionel could put Legacy in the Berkshire sets, but then the MSRP doubles (at least) and Lionel has no "basic" low cost Legacy control system option as of now. 

 

In the O gauge world MTH has a basic DCS system for their sets (and we may eventually see them in S,) but they are also priced higher than Lionel's starter sets.

 

If and when a scalified Berk comes out with Legacy, it will most likely retail for over $800.00, maybe more.  Hardly something to attract the new person.  A crossover modeler maybe, but not a newbie.

 

I was skeptical of Lion/Flyerchief concept in the beginning, but it appears Lionel has a winner on it's hands and if that translates into new S people, I'm all for it.  There aren't enough of us old poo's to grow S by ourselves.

 

Rusty

I'd have the Berkshire in a heartbeat...assuming they use a DCC compatible decoder.  Just as they've done on the SD70ACe's.

I realize the Polar Express is not for everyone but I am hoping to see it in time for the Christmas shows we do here in Wisconsin.

Ray

Ray,

 

I hope Lionel marketing is listening.  Those Holiday shows draw large crowds and are a great way to attract some interest among the younger folk (and their parents).  Having an entry set in a popular theme run at shows is a great way to sell some more American Flyer and bring new people into S.

 

Mike A.

>> I'd have the Berkshire in a heartbeat...assuming they use a DCC compatible decoder. 

 

One way to satisfy that heartbeat is to install a DCC decoder of your choice rather than having Lionel do it for you.  There are dozens and dozens of folks out there who can install decoders in AF equipment for a modest fee.  Try it -- you might like it. 

 

Cheers.....Ed L.

Logic would dictate that the DCC code being used in the SD70's and ES44's should also be used in any future Lionel/American Flyer Legacy equipped locomotive.  The boys at the ranch spent a fair amount of time developing and debugging the DCC code.

 

However, I have no influence over Lionel logic...

 

Rusty

Perhaps Matt may consider producing the heavy weights to compliment some of the other  older AF steam loco's from the fifties.

 

A three car set in the Reading livery for the humble Atlantic, an engine that I believe is often overlooked for its detail, yes, it isn't top quality but has more than a lot of people see at first glance.

 

There are plenty of 283/287's out there that a 3/4 car set in C&NW livery would spruce them up a bit more.

 

The 293 with an updated heavyweight set in NYNH&H livery could be a refreshing change as well to the old green pass cars as well.

 

There are a few other possibilities but they may not be as popular as the above, but it is something for Lionel to consider as it is an easy sale and no expensive new loco's to match at same time

Any mention of whether or not Lionel is going to make the correct NKP/C&O/Pere Marquette tender for the Berkshire?  That NYC style tender riding on 4 wheel passenger car trucks that the O gauge version that comes in starter sets/Polar Express sets got was disappointing.  Hopefully, Lionel will make the correct NKP tender riding on 6 wheel Buckeye trucks for the S gauge version.

This is a bit off topic, but since you mentioned the NKP Berkshire I wanted to remind fellow forum members that the real thing - no. 765 - will soon arrive in Ohio's great Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the 10 most visited national parks. 

 

It will run on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR between Cleveland and Akron.  It's always a great time to get up close and personal with the 765, but the scenery is worth the trip, too.

 

Here's a post I listed to the forum earlier in August.  It has all the details.

 

Mike A.

As Lionel has indicated, the tooling for the Berk is being designed to be upgraded to a scalifed version, so we'll have to wait and see when a pilot model surfaces. 

 

Logic would dictate a correct(or at least "more correct") tender on the set Berks would be less costly if and when they get Legacied and scalified.

 

But, I don't think Mr. Spock is on the payroll.

 

Rusty

@trainmantim: I totally disagree with you regarding the berk set. I've been wanting this set for a while. IIRC, they put this in the catalog about 5 years ago and was I really disappointed when they cancelled it. I hope it makes it this time. And like another poster mentioned above, I hope they'll  put the correct tender behind it.

Steve

OHHHHH NOOOO!!! You hurt my feelings. NOT!!!!!!! I don't care if you disagree with what I'm saying. 

Actually the Berk sets were first announced about 2-3 years ago. 

 

They were never cancelled, just:

pushed back,

pushed back,

pushed back...

 

...I would assume for development and inclusion of the FlyerChief electronics.

 

Rusty

I am the Bill Clark that did the interviews and writes for the S Gaugian.  I would urge you all to not to try to read between the lines.  The three Berkshire sets including the Polar Express are "Raady To Run" which to Lionel means starter sets including all a person needs to run a train in one box.  These are starter sets and the price is low.  A Berk of a Legacy type was discussed buy not gaurenteed.

 

Also, Matt said nothing about reissuing other roadnames for Legacy PAs or in heavyweight cars.

 

MTH sees S as a Nich Market and plowing lots of capital into it soon is probably not going to happen.  The sale of the F3's will tell them a lot.

 

Doing these interviews probably won't happen more than once a year.  It took months to set them up and 4 months before they were in print.

 

I am to write the review of the Polar Express for the S Gaugian and I have been after Matt to send me a set as soon as possible to make the Nov./Dec. issue, but as of last week he still did not have one to send and could not give me an idea about when he might get one to me.

 

 

Part of it is, folks are getting antsy...

 

After being announced in 2013, the PE set (according to Lionel's shipping schedule) is due October and the other two sets May 2015. 

 

I personally would have hoped to have at least seen a photo of a pilot model or engineering sample of the locomotive by now.  October's just around the corner and not a hint of physicality.   A Photoshopped catalog image of the O27 baby Berk doesn't cut anymore it at this point in time.

 

You'd think Lionel would want to shout it from the rooftops in order to show progress on these items to encourage folks to hang on a little longer.

 

Rusty

Rusty,

My guess is, if there is not a sample of the Berk in the hands of Matt or J Don from Lionel at the York meet next month, we are not seeing the PE set this year.  That would suck, I would have to explain why the ONLY thing my 3 year old is asking for for Christmas did not show up in Santa's sleigh...

Ben

Yeah and an explanation for some of us 50+ year olds too. 

If past is prologue, a sample of the PE not being on display at York will be a strong indicator that it is not likely to get here in time for the holidays. And, vice-versa. So, keep your fingers crossed.

 

Bob

Bill,

It must be really frustrating trying to catch up with these guys.  You did a great job on the article.  I've read lots of your articles in the past and they've always been informative.  Thanks for your dogged perseverance. 

 

I hope the sets are out soon in time for the holidays!  Seeing some of these run at train shows is a great way to get the younger crowd (and their parents) interested in buying a train set in S.  Are you listening Lionel?

 

Mike A.

Thanks Mikeaa

 

Bill