What I would like Lionel to make

IF I were still in S scale, I wouldn't want Lionel to make anything.  MTH, either.

Instead, I would wish that American Models would have a huge influx of business so they could produce more new products. In addition, I would wish that some one ELSE besides MTH would have purchased S Helper Service and the new SHS would also get a huge influx of new business.  Thus, both AM and SHS could be addressing the lack of product and taking care of the nearly abandoned SCALE S enthusiasts.

But it didn't happen.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why would you want Lionel to make F units? How about something that hasn't been made? There are only about 100 or so options.

Laming, fear not... Lionel will eventually acquire American Models and the demise of S will be complete.

Jonathan:

Re: Lionel purchasing AM...

Wow... wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth to the struggling scale guys? 

As for Lionel: Seems they're pretty much pitching their tent with umpteen repaints of products that have been done to death for decades, and when they do make a new effort, they botch it so bad that it flounders on the market, etc, then say "See? We told you product aimed at that market wouldn't sell!"

From an outsiders point of view: It appears to me that S scale is in about as bad a situation as it has ever been in.  Lionel is stale as can be, MTH appears to be clueless (can't even figure out how to install their own freakin' command system???).  Seems both Lionel and MTH are moving at glacial speed in regards to S, and in the meantime much of their best marketing opportunities are aging-out. (Such as me: I don't have the years left to wait for Lionel or MTH to finally "get it" and start producing product.)

AM truly is about the only significant manufacturer in S scale that still has some vital signs on the monitors.

I truly do not know what the answer can be for scale S.

Such a shame, because it is indeed a beautiful size.

EDIT: Sorry for sounding so negative, but it frustrates me for my S scale friends that have been so loyal to the scale. They deserve better IMHO.

Andre

Wow! I didn't want to start a firestorm. I would just like to run some TMCC compatible (since I'm running Legacy) '40s, '50s era locos on a nice string of Budd passenger cars like American Models' cars. AM's locos are beautiful, but I would hate to gut one and go the expense to to install TMCC compatible electronics. And since I know nothing about trains, other than what I like, I will stay out of the "who buys who out" fray. 

Retired band guy posted:

Wow! I didn't want to start a firestorm. I would just like to run some TMCC compatible (since I'm running Legacy) '40s, '50s era locos on a nice string of Budd passenger cars like American Models' cars. AM's locos are beautiful, but I would hate to gut one and go the expense to to install TMCC compatible electronics. And since I know nothing about trains, other than what I like, I will stay out of the "who buys who out" fray. 

You might want to try it. I just added TMCC (ERR's Cruise Lite and Railsounds boards) to an AM EMD FP-7, and it is very nice esppecially when it's pulling a set of chrome Budd cars. It was my first such conversion. Great learning experience, but not too difficult. 

GP40-2. 'Nuff said...

Ben 

jonnyspeed posted:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why would you want Lionel to make F units? How about something that hasn't been made? There are only about 100 or so options.

Laming, fear not... Lionel will eventually acquire American Models and the demise of S will be complete.

Bachmann would be a more likely purchaser of AM...  But, as I recall, there was very little interest for purchasing SHS from any builder, so AM would be a tough sale.  

Hopefully, someone at AM would be interested in taking over whenever Ron retires.  For now, enjoy AM while we can. 

As far as Lionel goes, they've shown they can make some really good stuff for both the scale market and the traditionalists.  However, it seems they still haven't figured out exactly what to do with the Flyer line, although it appears their response to the critique of the cylindrical hoppers was to essentially abandon the scale side. 

Rusty

Chuck K posted:

Retired band guy posted:

Wow! I didn't want to start a firestorm. I would just like to run some TMCC compatible (since I'm running Legacy) '40s, '50s era locos on a nice string of Budd passenger cars like American Models' cars. AM's locos are beautiful, but I would hate to gut one and go the expense to to install TMCC compatible electronics. And since I know nothing about trains, other than what I like, I will stay out of the "who buys who out" fray. 

You might want to try it. I just added TMCC (ERR's Cruise Lite and Railsounds boards) to an AM EMD FP-7, and it is very nice esppecially when it's pulling a set of chrome Budd cars. It was my first such conversion. Great learning experience, but not too difficult. 

I installed an ERR Cruise Lite in a Flyonel PA. It wasn't too difficult with help from a couple forum members and it ran just fine. I could attach the B unit with Railsounds and run the horn and bell from the transformer but for whatever reason it didn't spark my imagination. After reading a review of the new AM Budd observation car, I was hooked on their models, but I'm invested in TMCC and therein lies my conundrum. I appreciate your comments though.

AM has a wide variety of diesel locomotives available. One can purchase the DC High Rail version and have it converted to TMCC/Railsounds for less than Lionel is charging for Legacy diesels. The newest ERR product features are great. AM also accommodates the scale modeler with the scale wheel options. 

An FL9 that we can afford,with the right horn.....maybe????

Guys, The Fall York show starts tomorrow and the Lionel booth will be open.  They will be displaying a sample model of the Frisco Northern.  If anybody is going to York please give us a report on what you hear.

I collect and operate both O and S gauge and have a layouts for both. I have been really turned off by S gauge lately and the total lack of product. (other than the Lionel Berkshire) I was really hoping MTH was going to step up with the F units and a 2-8-0. American Models makes decent product but they lack the modern electronics. The Lionel re make Northern looks like the same old dies?  I hope things change in the future but it doesn't look promising.

N&W S1a and Z1b

Produce an accurate model of the NYC Niagara, and no I don't mean the NYC-painted UP Northern they are trying to pawn off now.

SGRIGGS:

Can you please post the catalog number of the NYC Northern (Niagara) that your talking about, I can't find it in the catalog.

Thanks

Charlie

6-47953 in the 2016 American Flyer catalog.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty:

Picture me bowing out of this conversation as I was not aware of the thread I was in. I saw the word "Niagara" and was hoping I missed something.

Carry on.

Charlie

I'm happy with my postwar Flyer trains. I just wish Woodland Scenics would come out with S versions of their Ready Built building line. In the meantime, I'm using some of their HO stuff.

How about some E-6 santa fe AA, or a propane turbine or any turbine for that.

 

jonnyspeed posted:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why would you want Lionel to make F units? How about something that hasn't been made? There are only about 100 or so options.

Laming, fear not... Lionel will eventually acquire American Models and the demise of S will be complete.

Jonny, I agree with you totally. As for an engine, I wish MTH or Lionel would make the UP C855 & how about some new Amusement Park Rides and Accessories.

AM locos are fairly easy to gut and install DCC and scale wheels. I would think TMCC should be the same.

I would like to see another run of ES44s, since I would like another one in BNSF.  

I am a newcomer to S scale but the lull in available products gives me a chance to catch up on getting what is out there and what can be built.

I am in S scale because of the 1/64 scale, best scale to model.  If it wasn't for the 1/64 world, I would have not gotten into S or went with HO.

IMHO...

Reproduction of American Flyer transformers would be nice.

Thanks, Phil 

Auto Racks...............................

Regards, Frank

i would love to see a tier 4 locomotive

I just hooked up a Lionel Powermaster which allows me to run my original American Flyer with the Cab 1 remote. It works pretty well, but I had to add a small dedicated transformer to operate the Fastrack switches (I had wired them to the acc posts before I went to Legacy). All in all I'm satisfied with the operation and it was less expensive than converting to TMCC although sometime down the road that may be in the offing.

Retired Band Guy, when I attend York circa 2000 Lionel had a YardMaster ZW transformer on display that had the TMCC buttons built into the top of the transformer.  I hope Lionel will produce this ZW, it would give an operator the best of both worlds.

Thanks, Phil 

https://www.lionelsupport.com/Contactus/

paigetrain posted:

i would love to see a tier 4 locomotive

This is S scale or 1/64th scale, not O scale.

Andrew

FalconService, I just sent Lionel an email concerning the possibility of producing the YardMaster ZW transformer.

Thanks for the email link. 

A 1/64th scale auto rack on flat car would be great.

A true S scale auto rack on flat car would be big even compared to traditional O gauge cars.

Andrew

A World War II Pullman troop sleeper would be cool.  A long string of these behind an AF steamer would look great.

i'd like them to start making stuff in this country

I probably posted before, but I'd love to see an SP GS4 (Daylight), or an SP Cab-Forward. I also think a N&W J (611) would be a great seller. I actually have enough trains, but I'd have to get at least one of the above it they came out--priced within reason, of course!

Sd40-2....add ALL the modern names that ran them too!!!!

 

And none of the fairytale paint schemes either like they did on the es44!!!

ACF 3-Bay hoppers in sets of three!

Swafford posted:

ACF 3-Bay hoppers in sets of three!

 

I havent seen those for S in that style. I can only WISH.... The only lionel hoppers id seen was those OLD cylindrical hoppers with goofy paint schemes!!!  I Wish we could get the ones you posted in S!!!

Pacific rail makes the one ilike, i wish lionel would make them in S.

 

I would like to see more add on's for their Polar Express.  Seems like the O gauge crowd get all the extras, and us Flyer guys just get 2 add on passenger cars.  We need figures and other pieces to help make our PE layouts.   Mike

Hello guys and gals............

"What I would like lionel to make"   FIRST lionel should take care of the Q.C. problems before making anything else.  The BTO was a bad idea from the start if they cannot control the quality of it as there was a thread that was deleted about the BTO problems with the trains thing. The same goes for MTH and that's all I am saying.

"Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God" 2 Corinthians 5:21 ERV (easy-to-read version)

Tiffany

 

Tiffany posted:

Hello guys and gals............

"What I would like lionel to make"   FIRST lionel should take care of the Q.C. problems before making anything else.  The BTO was a bad idea from the start if they cannot control the quality of it as there was a thread that was deleted about the BTO problems with the trains thing. The same goes for MTH and that's all I am saying.

Tiffany

 

If you are referring to O scale, be reminded this is the S scale forum.