The Lionel catalog's biggest competition is itself.

Only Lionel knows for sure. I guess it depends how many of Lionels customers have the financial capability to buy several locos versus just one.

I think Lionel offering multiple locomotives with different specifics is a huge plus. Lionel is "shaking things up" instead of getting out the "cookie cutter" for every locomotive.

 This allows folks that already own a previous run of said loco from Lionel a reason to add a second.

I myself don't have a J3a Hudson yet but have been in the market for 8 years. Now I have plenty of options. However, not all the models appeal to me so I'm selecting the one that does. Someone else will surely buy the other(s).

Maybe the uniqueness of the offerings will help retain resale value a bit. Not that it really matters to me, but its a plus. 

Having said that, I agree with you on the bigboys, but even moreso on the berkshires and light mikados which have been made to death over and over!

At a quick glance, I'd believe they might be thinking that someone who already has an older model of one road number, might be more inclined to purchase a different road number of a new engine. Any sales left on the table of the exact engine in different paint is money lost to me.

 Then, there is this type of importing that says, get it now while we make it. If you don't, who knows when you'll get another chance.

Other smaller manufacturers might do what you describe Scott. Of course, it's only my opinions.

Has Lionel stopped offering products in consecutive catalogs that would stretch the acquisition opportunity timeframe? 

What, me worry? 

Same thing is happening to me with Sunset 3rd rail. I'm a passenger train guy and 3rd rail has a bunch of beautiful passenger diesels all cataloged at the same time.

I'm getting one set, but there are probably 4 sets that I would like to have.

No need to worry about finding a home for all versions, just enjoy what you have.

Charlie

I think it's great that Lionel seems to be offering lots of road name/number/paint scheme variations of engines and rolling stock

I always felt like they were behind MTH and Atlas when it came to variety - now they are leading the pack 

Good job - just my opinion

This premise is especially true with freight rolling stock. Lionel is making popular cars in popular liveries that they have already made in substantially the same configuration before. 

All one has to do when considering buying a new PS-2 hopper (let’s say) is go to Ebay and see what Lionel made maybe five or ten years ago that is virtually identical to their new 2019 offering.

And you can buy the older model - often brand new - for maybe half what Lionel is asking for one today. 

I scratch my head over this marketing strategy.

Scott makes a good point, validated by the responses. Our market is only so big and the goal is to attract those of us who are active purchasers.

Everyone says our hobby is shrinking and from what I have saw it does seem to be in a small decline, so says the media and one or two manufactures,  Lionel is said to be thinking not coming to the spring York meet. 

Lionel seems to have put out a huge catalog I would love to spend a bunch for the items beckoning to me, I am only 500.00 John Buy me!

I cannot do till after we move. maybe then but not now, way to much to tempt me...it is tuff!

I would rather have more choices of stuff i want in the lionel catalog than not enough.

You just pick your favorites and make the tough decisions to fit your budget.  I like taking the weeks and planning what i cant live without and making the pick for what fits my budget...

I love this catalog, lots of great stuff...

I think, my opinion, that if you are a one brand buyer, that competition statement might apply.   Also think there are two wheel arrangements much more done to death than two cited.  I thought it took forever to get a Mikado made in three rail, and grabbed the Williams USRA version way back when, finally, it appeared.  I see a few cars of interest in this big, beautiful catalog. 

I am wondering why Lionel put such a large catalog out in a smaller market, why?  Are they trying to capture as much revenue as possible before the bottom falls out? Questions on top of questions.

Scott,

     Do enjoy your time in this N&W J candy store, whether in an orange or purple package, the anticipation and angst is like a Christmas morning, what is wrapped under your tree? The alternative could be coal in a stocking, which of course, could be used to fire an actual N&W J. 

I have had to skip items in this catalog that I actually want.  I preordered the BNSF oil train with extra 3 cars.  Penn Central baggage cars (I hope the green is like the catalog rendering), through Mario's Trains.   I would really like the excursion private passenger car packs, the add on UP passenger packs, and the Erie Mining set.  That Erie Mining set is so nice.  But Im hesitant to over order.  I suppose its like Lionel was in the grand post war era.  I wasnt around then but lived it through my Dad's telling me what items he used to want in the Lionel catalogs from the 30s as a boy, and agin in the 50s after the war as he started a family.  He got a few things but mainly was acquiring the things he wanted back then in his retirement years.  I guess the fun of it is still dreaming of all the great items.  In this regard Lionel has kept the tradition.  Truely a catalog with many things to wish for.  Im grateful I can afford a piece of the fun. And maybe, by the time the Mining Train comes out Ill pick one up somewhere not pre ordered.  

Dealers should order more than whats pre ordered.  These desired items will sell to someone who just couldnt quite get away with ordering $5,000 or more in one catalog at one dose.

I am going to order the Wadadoddle motor along with the trailer car.  The Santa fe version is really sharp in the war bonnet style. 

Lots of choice in the catalog is fun!   Does not deter me from buying - just think a little harder about my preference ordering.

The J does not interest me (I have the TMCC version, but I'm not sure why); the cancelled K-2 did. (Maybe if they had offered the K-2 in a warbonnet scheme...? Yeah, that would have done it.)

Yes, this catalog comes to down to priorities. I've been waiting for the Legacy PRR J1...but cannot afford that and the Bipolar...the PE Bipolar will likely win.

The N&W 600 and 603 would have been "nice", but even if I had the cash laying around I'd be hesitant because the valve gear isn't correct. The valve gear on 600-604 was different than 605-613. Maybe it's just a photoshop boo-boo, but for the money it's a chance I just can't take.

Errors in the catalog similar to too many choices can cost sales too. It's not just Lionel. I have "not purchased" items from other manufacturers based upon catalog errors. I've been disappointed to see items I did not order that were correct when shipped.

Compare the differences in these two pictures. The 600/603 valve gear should look like the 604 below. If 600 and 603 are shipped "correct", I agree with Scott's original premise that Lionel has been is own "biggest competition".

There are several cars I'd like to have, but in the end it pared down to one 2 car set of N&W excursion cars.

I would urge Lionel to offer the tender doghouse on the 603 as a standalone item. Provide small magnets with double sided tape, they would go on any tender. Bet they'd sell a ton of them. At the end of steam, most if not all J's ended up sporting them. Great play value if you choose to pull freight with your J. Pop it off when you pull your passenger consist. 

hokie71 posted:

Scott makes a good point, validated by the responses. Our market is only so big and the goal is to attract those of us who are active purchasers.

I guess the question of who the active purchasers are, is the hardest one to answer. Are the buyers at the high end (Lionel and 3rd rail), the high middle ( MTH & Atlas) the middle (Williams) or the budget end ( Menards)? IMO, all of these companies are selling model train products that serve different segments of the total available market.

Yeah had that problem when the last brass K2 or whatever it was came out.  Out comes a Vision Challenger. Vision Niagara was on it's way. Just had a brass hybrid end of last year. So yeah I think sometimes the high end stuff is coming to fast and one has to make a choice. The K2 got canceled and that is the reason I could not get it to much to close together. As far as the J it seems to come around every few years or so.