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Okay, even the guys that regularly rain all over the parade have to admit that with the Heritage announcements by both MTH and Lionel; the quick ship of Lionel's Pacifics and the EM1; and that incredible catalog from Lionel ( though I am still longing for more milk cars ) we are having a very good time right now with lots of options. 

 

And with Y@@k just weeks away and a new MTH catalog plus other industry announcements from Weaver; AtlasO and others, I think we are having a very good time right now. 

 

Okay, maybe it's just me and my meds are finally kicking in, but I sure think it's exciting. 

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Mr. Muffin:  Thanx for your up-beat comments.  I'm personally happy to see Lionel's new products, although there isn't too much in there for me.  I guess I'm gonna hafta order that Milwaukee Road F-3 with the B unit, but that's about it for me.  But there's a lot of stuff in there for "the other guys" and I'm happy about that for them.  I'm also delighted to see Lionel taking a stronger interest in "S" gauge, even though that won't get my extra change, but those guys have been starving for new products for a long time.  As I once commented; if I had it to do all over again, I would choose "S" gauge over "0".  I like the looks of the two rail track and I'd be able to squeeze in about twice the layout into my fairly small space.

 

One tjhing that I'm missing in the new catalog is another ore car.  Got into collecting them when Lionel first issued the ore car in 1984 and have 58 of them; from what I can tell I'm missing 13 different car numbers.  Picking up some more of them will be my "project" for York this April and until I get them all.

 

Paul Fischer

I have to agree that it is a great time to be in this hobby.  I love this stuff and to me the new LIONEL catalog has something for everyone.  I love the toy part of toy trains and just got the general set from Grzyboski and have been breaking it in the last few days.  Cool set and very amenable to add ons like the outlaw and sheriff chase gondola etc.

Actually it's been a great time to be in the hobby for the last 15 yrs.  There have been so many great trains and accessories produced and of course command control is the cats meow.  I think the new Lionel catalog is fantastic if you overlook the prices.  But the sheer number of steam and diesel engines, the accessories and command control switches, just fantastic.  I only hope MTH's new catalog is as awe inspiring and they get back on track and PS3 is 100% in any new product.   

As far as this hobby is concerned, and in most other aspects of my life when considered over the long term, my glass has always been far more than half full.  Yes, there have been some pitfalls, stressful periods, bad decisions, and disappointments along the way, but this hobby has always been there to provide me with a welcome respite in such times.  It has great therapeutic value, both physical and emotional, and the manufacturers--all of them--have made certain that I will never lack the products that have made this the most rewarding and interesting of all possible hobbies.

There are many points of view being expresed here about this hobby . While diverging viewpoints sometimes occur, I believe that everyone here agrees that its a great time to be in this hobby.  The selection of products exceeds that of almost any other point in  time, more great layouts appear to built (or under constrution) but the thing that I  enjoy the most is sharing this hobby with so many great people. The train hobby has led to meeting and making some wonderful friends and to a wealth of new information.  Much of the credit has to be given to the forum members and the crew at OGR for without this forum much of this would not have been possible. If I can sum it up in one sentence; the Model Train hobby enriches the mind, relaxes the being, and warms the soul.  

Well usually I'm a pessimist when it comes to the catalogs. My favorite railroads seem to never be in production. But Steve's right  there's no denying that we have a heck of a lot of options right now. I mean even Sunset 3rd rail has told us . "You tell us what you want and we'll make it" Could you ask for more???
Now if we could only get Lionel to Make a legacy "A" and "J" I'd be a little happier
Come on Lionel Pennsylvania aint the only railroad out there.

David

I've been out of the hobby for some years now (save for a shelf of my favorite post-war items in my home office) and this past summer I took the dive back into the world of O-gauge 3-rail...actually, more like a cannon-ball. It has been extremely enjoyable to get back into things and what is most enjoyable of all are all the great items out there I have discovered. Last summer I started my dive back in by getting a VL Hudson. What a magnificent engine and while I have read some of the negative comments on this engine I can only report I have had nothing but great luck with it. She is a beauty and she runs like clockwork. The recent catalog release by Lionel was the first catelog release I can remember since being a kid that I counted down the days to its release. And, even better, I already have my list of "must get" items all lined up. I truly believe that now is a good time to be in this hobby.

 

-Len

Mr. Muffin, your right. In the early 70's when I got back into the hobby there was Lionel, a few Walthers kits and not much else. Thankfully there was lots in low priced used Lionel to be had. We were all so excited when General Mills started coming out with a few re-issue items. I still remember when they announced their first "new" locomotive. A GP-20. In reality just a low nose reworked GP-7. I bought the Santa Fe, power and dummy and a case of six Chessie Specials. Ever so slowly other companies came along. Some made it others didn't. It's amazing the wealth of "O" gauge three rail we have now. Good thread Mr. M.

Don

You could not have said it better.  I am very happy with all the choices we have today.  My parents started me back in 1948 with my first train.  Things are the best they have ever been.  I have been going to York for 32 years and often reflect over my first York.  The trains available then do not come close to the great trains we have available today.  I love DCS and Legacy and find myself running trains every day. 

I still say if Williams did not introduce the can motors in the Trainmasters years ago we would not be at this point.

I agree completely, and with the EM1 due to arrive at Engine House Hobbies on Tuesday and I will order a replacement Acela.  Life is very nice.  I would like to expand upon your premise and say that inaddition to the catalog, new heritage engines on the way, I can now  purchase any engine I want based on its features (and capabilities) and not with any consideration of the operating system (Proto2, Legacy, or TMCC with ERR cruise commanders).  My last engine purchases have been all over the map with two SMR engines (one Proto2 converted and one ERR converted), a 3rd Rail ERR steamer (SF), a Legacy EM1 with my ordering the Acela this week.  It is a wonderful time to be in the hobby.  Enjoy. I know I am.

I agree how we are enjoying a great amount of choices in O gauge, not only now but for the last 10 years too.

 

Think of all the great new things we've seen recently.  Scale Big Boys, scale GG1's, DCS and Legacy, scale streamline passenger cars, Vision Line products, new realistic buildings, operating accessories and scenery items.  Not to forget all the smaller industries that have appeared to provide details to our layouts.

 

The great thing is, I believe it will get even better!!

My father bought our family our first train set in 1948 and my positive feelings regarding this hobby have intensified tremendously over the past 64 years.  There is no question we certainly have a lot more options today than ever before and its great to have such a wide selection from which to choose but to tell you the truth as long as I knew that trains were being manufactured somewhere by someone I always had a feeling of contentment and satisfaction regarding what truly is the world's greatest hobby.  As has been stated in other posts life has its peaks and valleys but for me trains have always been there and have provided me with an incredibly healthy outlet through the rough times as well as the good times.  I will never be able to thank my father and grandfather enough, God rest their souls, for introducing me to this wonderful hobby.  

Like Marty and Don, my first set was a Lionel 2026 freight set for the Christmas of 1948.  It has been rehabbed twice over the years and I just fixed it up for my first grandson with  the original transformer and a set of all new tubular track.  Maybe he will give it to his first grandson.  I know it will still run, because, it's, you know...

Originally Posted by MrMuffin'sTrains:

Okay, even the guys that regularly rain all over the parade have to admit that with the Heritage announcements by both MTH and Lionel; the quick ship of Lionel's Pacifics and the EM1; and that incredible catalog from Lionel ( though I am still longing for more milk cars ) we are having a very good time right now with lots of options. 

 

And with Y@@k just weeks away and a new MTH catalog plus other industry announcements from Weaver; AtlasO and others, I think we are having a very good time right now. 

 

Okay, maybe it's just me and my meds are finally kicking in, but I sure think it's exciting. 

You are right. Spiffy picture sir!

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