Thinking about ordering one of the Lion Chief Plus Electric Rectifiers but had a thought.
Question: Wondering if these will clear the tunnels on my layout? It's a postwar-style layout with those standard gray plastic Lionel tunnel portals. Anybody have one of the Conventional Classic Rectifiers they did a few years back? They are probably close in size to these new models.
I'll probably order a LIRR B6.
Call me crazy, but a $559.99 street price at Nassau Hobby might be one of the few reasonably priced items in the Signature catalog.
I'll live with a tether on a small steamer like that (assuming it will allow for continuous current pick-up). It should help on my # 5 switches.
Nothing but over priced items. The new management needs a reality check. How many young families can afford this hobby. This catalog is geared to those who are spending their family's inheritance and not looking to the future of the hobby. Oh and to put the Lionel name on those cheap kids sets isn't the answer.
I could use this on the layout and for my driveway. Snowed in........
I would love to have the Legacy Empire State Express, but don't have the space to run it. Possibly some rolling stock, but little else of interest to me. I have not embraced the LionChief items, and it appears it's either that or Legacy.
Jeff Davis
In the ready-to-run catalog here is a new CN ore car.
...
I saw that too. But the street-price will likely be in the high $30's, and I've been ruined forever by RMT's super blowout a year or two ago when Walter was selling his excellent ore cars for $10/car!!! 
Glad I stocked up!!! 
David
The Holiday Traditions catalog has some excellent stuff! I may spend more $$$ there than in the Signature catalog. In fact, I know I will. This is the first time since I can remember that I browsed a Signature Catalog and didn't feel all that compelled to order anything. No lie.
David
Both Chessie System SD40s even though I have both Atlas powered units, and one of them (B&O #7500) is being done by Lionel. Might have to renumber that...
Nothing but over priced items. The new management needs a reality check. How many young families can afford this hobby. This catalog is geared to those who are spending their family's inheritance and not looking to the future of the hobby. Oh and to put the Lionel name on those cheap kids sets isn't the answer.
I agree, they need to remember some of these young families with newer homes barely have enough room for a 4x8 layout and they still need good quality trains to last, not throw away sets.
Art
Santa Fe ES44AC. If I can find it for under $475.
Very thin catalog on diesels. I like the ES44ACs, Santa Fe and NS. I wonder if anything changed at all on the ES44AC to jack the price up from $549 to $649. A lot for just new road names. If they added the diesel vision smoke unit it would be worth it.
Will there be a 2015 Signature Volume II?
Very thin catalog on diesels. I like the ES44ACs, Santa Fe and NS. I wonder if anything changed at all on the ES44AC to jack the price up from $549 to $649. A lot for just new road names. If they added the diesel vision smoke unit it would be worth it.
Will there be a 2015 Signature Volume II?
Wait another 6 months. 
Not anything I can't live without.
I really cant make out the cars to well but they definitely look like the southern streamlined cars to me. What changed on them form the late 50s to the 60s?
The main difference for Southern passenger cars during the 60s and 70s is the painting of the roof black, and after the early 70s, adding the "Look Ahead and Look South" emblem on the car sides (matches heralds on the locomotives). Your image shows the cars as delivered in the as-delivered scheme all silver, with car number and name on the sides. There may also be a discrepancy with the window arrangement, but that is getting really technical.
These new cars would be correct behind a set of green E-8s pulling the Crescent, or 4501 in excursion service. Most of the images found for Southern streamlined cars are from this era.
Since the PAs were used late 40s-50s, these cars would need to be backdated to be historically correct. Check out this view of a Southern passenger train from 1951 and compare the cars. All the roofs are still silver, and no decals. Of course, we can run our trains anyway we want.
Santa Fe ES44AC. If I can find it for under $475.
I was all set to order that too... until I saw the street price of one dealer up around $520. Even if other dealers come in at $499, I think I'll just keep the one Atlas-O GP60M I have remaining in inventory that didn't sell in my OGR forum ad. And if I want to buy another powered one to double-head with it, they're listed for $350-$400 NEW on eBay. Unpowered are listed for $200 if I opt to go that route. Either way a big savings over two new ES44's at $1040. This is a perfect example of what I was referring to earlier about going shopping for stuff that ain't necessarily the newest but is dang impressive in its own right at great prices on the secondary market.
David
hello guys and gals......
Nothing new from Lionel but I will stick with buying older NOS Lionel and MTH as long as I can get parts for them.
Tiffany
Probably a case of the Pet Shop Diesel sets as an investment.
It's the original Girls Train of 2015!! It comes with a "powerful" diesel!
(kidding for those who can't tell! No offense intended for anyone who may actually enjoy this set, I hope it is everything you wish for!)
-Dave
The Southern 21 inch passenger cars are calling my name... - Tyler
"I could use this on the layout and for my driveway. Snowed in........"
Let's see, about 10" on the ground before the blizzard last Tuesday, then add 26", and Friday, another 12", and today (after my second pass), add about another foot. I am the one that needs an industrial grade railroad snow blower.
I want the 0-6-0t from the Bethlehem steel set in the RTR catalog. Be looking for a set break up on that one. Finaly, that lovely scale, detailed 0-6-0t with a decent whistle!
Not into diesels, but a lot of nice LC+ ones in the RTR catalog.
"I could use this on the layout and for my driveway. Snowed in........"
Let's see, about 10" on the ground before the blizzard last Tuesday, then add 26", and Friday, another 12", and today (after my second pass), add about another foot. I am the one that needs an industrial grade railroad snow blower.
I may consider a couple of ES44ACs in the BNSF and FEC liveries.
Larry
Amazing I got both of my wishes:
LionChief Plus Challenger with whistle-steam.
FT ABA LionChief Plus.
Wow!
Nothing until new rail car tooling offerings are available.
I was really happy to see the PAs in PRR DGLE/5-stripe until I saw the price. Since I would buy two of these sets to get two powered A units with sound (the non-powered As would be stored), that means around $1,600 (street) which is close to what I paid for my VL Centipedes. Need to re-evaluate how much I want those engines.
I will get the PRR N5b cabin in pre-1952 colors, although I wish it had the Trainphone antennas.
When a B6 was mentioned I got a little excited. Then I saw it pictured and the price. If the image is a true representation then the wealth of molded in detail is a huge turn off. The price only served to nail that coffin shut.
The only joy derived from the new catalog was finding out how good a deal I got on my 313.
It really would be easier to justify ordering something new if only the stuff I pre-ordered last year had already been delivered!
Bruce
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but for you baseball fans there are some pretty cool team box cars in the R-T-R catalog. These are a little different from the ones offered last year and are tied in with the "Cooperstown Collection" label which is well-known in the apparel business.
The command control Gantry Crane (Bucyrus Erie). And the Texas Special Passenger cars, all 7.
Again items I could use, not in catalog, Heavyweight Passenger cars scaled but in 16".
Same here - could use shorter passenger cars including streamliners with details and interiors. I would have been excited to see the passenger cars if in shorter lengths, but 21" cars for monster layouts are of no use here.
I would buy all the P-S 60' Boxcars if logistically possible.
Andrew
I am going to wait 25 years and buy them for ten cents on the dollar.
I'll probably order a LIRR B6.
Call me crazy, but a $559.99 street price at Nassau Hobby might be one of the few reasonably priced items in the Signature catalog.
I'll live with a tether on a small steamer like that (assuming it will allow for continuous current pick-up). It should help on my # 5 switches.
No Yankee Boxcar?
rat
I like the new diesels ES44AC in BNSF and FEC.......but what is with the new price of $649.99???
Are these new diesels all Diecast or what?
Weyerhaeuser Timber Company log dump car to match the sawmill.
Again items I could use, not in catalog, Heavyweight Passenger cars scaled but in 16".
Same here - could use shorter passenger cars including streamliners with details and interiors. I would have been excited to see the passenger cars if in shorter lengths, but 21" cars for monster layouts are of no use here.
+1
does anyone know what the cost to retail mark-up is for lionel
[i.e. if it costs $100 and sells for $300 before discount, it is three times]
do not know the industry standard, but their retail price points seem pretty aggressive
is mth doing the same
Here you go - you could sell one of your diecast ones and buy three of the new ones!
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