The Northerns are Coming, The Northerns are Coming! And other Lionel items shipping next week.

What's going to be the difference between these FEFs and the previous Lionel Legacy FEFs from '07?

breezinup posted:

What's going to be the difference between these FEFs and the previous Lionel Legacy FEFs from '07?

Probably the greatest difference will be cost...

breezinup posted:

What's going to be the difference between these FEFs and the previous Lionel Legacy FEFs from '07?

Mostly the whistle steam, but also improved Legacy RailSounds (minus the cab number specific dialogue) and sequence control.

Okay, Lionel ships next week, but then when do you get them and ship them?  I ask because I'll be in and out and want to make sure I can be around when my locomotive comes to me.

It will be here Friday and shipped out the same day.

Mill City posted:

breezinup posted:

What's going to be the difference between these FEFs and the previous Lionel Legacy FEFs from '07?

Probably the greatest difference will be cost...

Very true, Jon.  MSRP of previous version = $1160.  MSRP of new version = $1700.  

I missed out on the earlier model, so I pre-ordered the new model at what I thought was a decent pre-order price.  Wasn't ecstatic about the price, but it was one of the best around at the time.  Now I wish I hadn't pre-ordered at all, since we're seeing SO MANY dealers offering great sales with upwards of 15% off their "regular pricing".  

Case in point.  The ESE separate-sale Hudsons have an MSRP of $1500, and dealers typically sell them for $1200 (which is pretty close to what the pre-order price was).  But with a 15% discount, we're looking at $1020... a HUGE savings.

It's for this sole reason that I placed no locomotive pre-orders out of Lionel's 2016 catalogs.  I should have started that practice with the 2015 catalogs, when Lionel really started going crazy with price increases.  What was I thinking???  

Oh well... I'll follow through with my pre-order for the new FEF-3, since it wouldn't be right to cancel now.  But I have no doubt whatsoever that there's a good possibility these locomotives will follow suit with the "sale-pricing" we saw with the ESE Hudsons -- just shifted upward slightly.

Good pre-order pricing for the FEF-3 tended to be just under $1400, and excellent pre-order pricing was closer to the mid-$1300's.  But even at typical $1450-ish "regular pricing" now that the locomotive is delivered... If we hold out for good sales, we're looking at $1225 give or take.  Suddenly the $1700 MSRP is even more meaningless, but I'm sure some sellers on an MSRP business model will try for that anyway.  

Bottom line.... As long as dealers continue ordering BTO extra's beyond their actual consumer pre-orders, it's gonna be business-as-usual with trains aplenty and sales galore to move the merchandise.  Count on it!  

David

Whoa... where are you seeing the FEF's for 1,050 ?!

I would bring out the old saying here "I'll bet you a pitcher of beer" which I am good for.

But blow out sales for the UP FEF? I am going to rub my crystal ball here and say "that its not going to happen".

Unless its  the Greyhound version.

Looking at the signs and reading the tea leaves my LHS did not order enough of the black ones, or the 8444 version, there are going to go quickly and he is already short ordered.

J Daddy posted:

Whoa... where are you seeing the FEF's for 1,050 ?!

I would bring out the old saying here "I'll bet you a pitcher of beer" which I am good for.

But blow out sales for the UP FEF? I am going to rub my crystal ball here and say "that its not going to happen".

Unless its  the Greyhound version.

Looking at the signs and reading the tea leaves my LHS did not order enough of the black ones, or the 8444 version, there are going to go quickly and he is already short ordered.

 

J Daddy,

It's too early to tell what's gonna happen with these FEF's.  And if what you say is true about some dealers being "short-ordered", then that makes me feel a little better that I pre-ordered one.    This is ALWAYS the big wild-card when we play the waiting-game, since there's always gonna be a product that comes out of the gate hot.  Maybe these FEF's will be this year's "hot" locomotive... maybe not.

Not sure why ANY dealer should be short-ordered on these though, since I thought the FEF-3 was a BTO product.  And dealers typically guarantee delivery if Lionel produces the product and buyers get their pre-orders in by the deadline.  Dealers wishing  they had ordered more because customers called to order one after the pre-order deadline is a whole different story.  I don't really consider that being "short-ordered", because I view short-ordered as more of a thing that happens if the importers don't deliver the full quantity that a dealer originally ordered by the catalog's pre-order deadline.

BTW, just to clarify... I didn't say I saw the FEF's for $1050... but I was alluding to the fact that the Lionel Legacy ESE Hudsons could be had for $1020 during a recent forum sponsor's Father's Day sale.  Whether or not any of these FEF's last that long in a dealer's inventory to qualify for a future "summer sale" is a wild-card.

As I said, the FEF is the last Lionel Legacy steamer I've pre-ordered.  From here on out, I'm playing the waiting game after delivery.  And if I can get a great "sale price" (doesn't need to be a blowout -- just a regular, good 'ole everyday "sale price") -- I might jump.  If not, then it's no big deal.  I just don't want to be caught paying premium prices just because Lionel wants to artificially inflate their prices and have enthusiasts jump through hoops unnecessarily.  That's my story... and I'm stickin' to it.    Others will think differently for sure... and that's OK.

David

I have them all on preorder except for 8444 and 844 greyhound.  Muffin's is showing several of them sold out.  Looking forward to black 844 with the magnetized "Lionel Lines" lettering strip to place over the Union Pacific lettering for a special excursion.

Mikado 4501 posted:

breezinup posted:

What's going to be the difference between these FEFs and the previous Lionel Legacy FEFs from '07?

Mostly the whistle steam, but also improved Legacy RailSounds (minus the cab number specific dialogue) and sequence control.

I agree as that's all I can tell from the catalog description. Too bad about the engine-specific crew talk.

Like others I missed out on the original black FEF3 and decided I would not this time. 

I am absolutely sure that in terms of the die cast loco body this will be another example of recycling existing tooling. OK by me as the last issue of these engines was great. One reason it was however is that the smoke units were absolutely star quality in output. Dunno what Lionel is using this time for the main and whistle smoke output but I expect it will be a twin chamber unit and some tubing. We'll see.

Man, I can't wait for these to arrive....ordered 835 & 838-lucky enough to have 844 from the first run-both black & grey.

I hope Lionel didn't mess with the sound too much-the first issue was fantastic.  As I recall, it was recorded from the real 844, but that may be "internet knowledge" if you know what I mean?

I recall a thread about the smoke unit-the new version will have a different smoke unit than the older models. Either way, it'll be a smoker....and a keeper!

David-

"Not sure why ANY dealer should be short-ordered on these though, since I thought the FEF-3 was a BTO product.  And dealers typically guarantee delivery if Lionel produces the product and buyers get their pre-orders in by the deadline.  Dealers wishing  they had ordered more because customers called to order one after the pre-order deadline is a whole different story.  I don't really consider that being "short-ordered", because I view short-ordered as more of a thing that happens if the importers don't deliver the full quantity that a dealer originally ordered by the catalog's pre-order deadline."

You are correct not Short Ordered - rather customers came in and order more after the pre-order date.

So no extras will be had.

I cannot explain why there where so many ESE sets around. Even at York they were at allot of dealers tables for a good price.  

The Heavy Mikados seemed plentiful too, but 950 or more I will pass.

I believe you picked the right one to pre-order, the T-1 is another sleeper and the Allegheny will just be a shadow of itself when they are released.

I am hoping the UP Excursion cars are a winner, my LHS gave me a preorder price I could not refuse!

86TA355SR posted:

I recall a thread about the smoke unit-the new version will have a different smoke unit than the older models. Either way, it'll be a smoker....and a keeper!

I don't remember that - and I only ever read smoke unit posts!

Shipping out tomorrow to our customers!

I was excited but ultimately passed. I prefer Lionel's version.  I really like the direction they went with additional road numbers but alas not the TTG #840 or #841 I was looking for. Similar to this O scale Key custom series 49 model......

I know MTH has one I'm considering. The other option is picking up one after the prices drop and repainting it.

Just the same I can't wait to see your pictures once you get them! The 2007 model was a winner. Hope this one is too.

86TA355SR posted:

...ordered 835 & 838-lucky enough to have 844 from the first run-both black & grey.

 

Can't have too many! 

WITZ 41 posted:

... I know MTH has one I'm considering. ...

And their latest models can be had for about $900 vs. Lionel's $1350-ish for those who pre-ordered and $1450-$1500 now that the models are hitting the street.  That's an enormous premium for whistle-steam and maybe a decorative scheme that MTH didn't offer.

I sprung for #8444, and I'm just hoping it's produced as illustrated in the catalog (i.e., black with whitewall trim on drivers, silver bearing caps on the tender and trailing locomotive trucks, etc...).  If not, it's going back.  

Lionel needs to take responsibility for illustrating what is actually gonna be delivered.  Otherwise, BTO is meaningless.  There were admittedly some descrepancies on the ESE Hudsons from what was catalog'd, but fortunately they weren't show-stoppers (for me).

David

Joey from Nicholas Smith called me today to hassle me for money for my 844. I wouldve bought the MTH but I want to run mine with the VL Big Boy and my Diecast es44s so not this loco

WITZ 41 posted:

....The other option is picking up one after the prices drop and repainting it.

W.,

Scary how much we think a like! 

I wanted a Northern, but passed as they aren't O36.  So I got the Consolidation instead. Why the Consolidation and Mikado, both with 8 drivers, can go O36 but the Northerns are O72 beats me, unless the drivers are really that much bigger and spaced farther apart.

Did you get them today, and shipped?  I'm excitedly waiting for the tracking number.