Who Is Going To Buy The New Visionline GG-1?

Not I.  I'm sure it is a masterpiece.  And GG1s are my favorite locomotive, bar none,  But I am not in the league to spend that kind of money on a single train item.  I'd rather have a larger roster than one shelf queen.  That, in no way is meant as a criticism of your desire to have one.  

When I purchased my original GG1 back in 1978, it cost more than I wanted to spend and probably more than I should have paid.  But I wanted one and was willing to do just what you're doing.  Again, when I purchased my Nickel Plate Berkshire in 1983, it was a stretch to pay for it at over $200.00.  No that I am retired, and my income is not moving in the upward direction, spending $1200.00 plus is simply a no go.  

I hope you get your GG1, and have much pleasure operating it.  As for the saving up for it, would lay-away be available to you from your seller ?   It helps to lock in your ownership of the loco.   

No. I am good with the older versions.

With daylights and alleghenys  in this catalog it's a no go for the vision line gg1. I am still thinking of passing on the allegheny. I don't like the preorder prices on it .. 

No not with the Alleghenys and there are too many other things that take priority.

Got the older version, sticking with that.  Not a big deal with the new VL version, only wish it was done up in Black Jack PC.

Too much money for blinking LED's for me.

Many people are Bob. That and the GS-4 are the big leaders so far with the T-1 and Allegheny not far behind! Tomorrow is the last day for BTO pre-orders! 

Bob, if it strikes your fancy and you're willing to pay premium dollars, that's all that counts.  Enjoy the ride.  But I wouldn't count on these "holding their value".   So you gotta ask yourself, "Is it worth paying that much of a premium to be the first owner?"

Can you imagine trying to unload this on the forum buy/sell board at that price? Or even a couple of hundred dollars less a year or so later?    That'll tell you if it's worth Lionel's MAP.

I'm solidly in the "Let's see what happens when these arrive" camp.  It's actually a great feeling to let the BTO deadline pass without falling for all the hype at such inflated prices.  This will be an interesting catalog pre-order period to see if buyers push back on Lionel, who may have simply offered too many inflated price BTO items in one shot.  Even die-hard enthusiasts seem forced to decide to pick-and-choose.  And some, like me, are just gonna pre-order a set of VisionLine reefers and wait for all the dust to settle on the really expensive stuff while watching from the sidelines. 

Let's check back this time next year.  

David

 

I have more than enough GG1s.  I have a Williams scale and the earlier Lionel scale version with the operating pantographs.  I still like my 2340 the best.

Robert C,

     My view on this has not changed, in a prior thread I ask if Lionel was trying to insult us with wanting to sell another GG1 at this outrageous  price.  I have several P2 and a few Conventional GG1's already, sure I would like a Legacy GG1 but not at that kind of price.  Guns summed it up perfectly, "to much money for blinding LED's".  Course I think the same way about the new Lionel ZW-L Transformer, and guys are purchasing them like crazy.

PCRR/Dave

Nicholas Smith had a few brand new Williams scale GG-1's at the Allentown show yesterday for $150-$250, depending on the livery.  The 1776 bicentennial version was $250.  Lionel's will be $1200.  I know that's an apples/oranges comparison.  But geez!!!  For that big of a difference, you can buy the Williams, have somebody upgrade it to TMCC or DCS,  and still have a lot of $$$ left over.   

Go figure.  

David 

I am not in for one, too much $$$ for me for a single engine. I will stick with diesels only, much lower prices and that is what runs around here.

I would think that a regular JLC GG-1 would attract more business than the Legacy model which it is 90% similar to the JLC. I don't see myself paying for a loco and not use the pantographs because the tunnel height.  The Allegheny was priced way too much above what I would expect... You look at the JLC and that model is still a good model.

It was a consideration, unless I was able to buy something comparable.  Fortunately, I avoided the obscene pricing and got a NIB scale MTH with PS3.   After some running, I seriously question whether St. Elmo's pants would justify twice the cost.  With a portion of the savings I bought a RailKing GG1 with most of the same PS3 features as the big boy. (BTW, thanks Al B )

  While I doubt one could have too many GG1's, the Legacy version can wait.

Bruce

My pre-order is in for the Penn Central and matching passenger cars. 

I ordered two plus the GS4 and the Allegheny

I ordered the Black PRR #4935 (okay Brunswick green...) and the 8 car Broadway.

I was thinking about the Tuscan PRR 4913 too but I already have the JLC Tuscan 4912. I'll wait until it comes out and decide if I want it then. 

 

I ordered 2 myself. Bicentennial and a PC.

I don't currently have a GG1 but always wanted one.  I like the Bicentennial and I preordered it.

I've ordered two of them.   4935 and 4913.

MartyE posted:

... Regardless how much I get lectured about how to spend my money on the forum, I just pull up my big boy pants and do as I please. Not happy with the price don't buy it but also save the lecture. It really gets old. 

...

Cheap shot, Marty.  The OP asked, "Is it worth the price?"  So folks have answered.   For some of us it's not.  For others it appears it is.  That's why this is called a "disposable income" hobby.  

In the bigger picture, our comments here are obviously never getting "too old" to prevent Lionel from raising prices to the point where enthusiasts buy the stuff even though they know they're getting -----.  Expletive deleted, 'cause this is a family forum.  

David

"save the lecture. It really gets old. "

Amen. Squared.  To the 10th power .   I have a CC 1 GG1 with TMCC and that's good enough for me.  It was pretty pricey for its time and some thought it greatly overpriced.  I didn't, and am perfectly happy with it.

As an antidote to some of the posturing and criticism.....I like the VisionLine GG1 and its features.  I do not think it's necessarily "overpriced" or poor competition for the equivalent (? is there such a thing) Williams model retrofitted with aftermarket command and sounds. 

We each make our own equation of value and features,  and what we wish to or can afford.  It's interesting to hear other peoples' opinions.  Once or twice per month from any given individual . 

Personally I would prefer one VisionLine GG1 to any 10 MTH PS2 or PS3 locos you care to choose, or any 5  Williams by Bachmann locos.  That's just me.  But as others have stated, it is tiresome to hear the same old  condescension and whining stating someone else's taste and preferences that clearly are more sensible and correct than one's own.  Once or twice a year is quite often enough to hear them, speaking for myself. 

 

Enjoy your GG1s.  If I had more space, time and money, I'd be buying a few .  Look forward to seeing them on people's layouts and public displays.  They should be a hit in that regard.  A truly invigorating testimony to how far the hobby and Lionel in particular have come in the last 20 years.  As I said, please ENJOY.  If the GG1 doesn't do it for you, at least don't attempt to influence others' enjoyment.  Thanks.

Landsteiner posted:

"save the lecture. It really gets old. "

Amen. Squared.  To the 10th power  .   ...

... it is tiresome to hear the same old  condescension and whining stating someone else's taste and preferences that clearly are more sensible and correct than one's own.  ...

Well strike the orchestra and queue the violins... Or whatever instrument you're playing today.  

Sadly, any "same old condescension and whining" is YOUR interpretation being juxtaposed into my commentary.   Thankfully, not everyone views it that way.

This is a hobby, where everyone gets to spend their "disposable income" as freely as they like.  Unfortunately, some companies tend to take advantage of the word "disposable" more than others.    

David

I'm with MartyE and Landsteiner. This is a forum and everyone is entitled to an opinion as long as it is properly put forth and not offensive. That being said, I skip the whiners and moaners and groaners. It was old quite a while ago. I ordered the bejeesus out of this catalog.

Scrappy

 

"I ordered the bejeesus out of this catalog."

Hope you enjoy your purchases Scrappy. I hope the SPF (Pennsy fans) won't mind that I purchased the NYC Pacemaker sound equipped boxcar . I don't think one could prototypically run any GG1 with the NYC boxcar, but perhaps during the Penn Central transition era?  Not that I care a fig for prototypical accuracy, mind you, but I know others do. 

I would get the PennCentral and its matching set.....but this is why I have O54 diameter curves.....my version of gastric stapling!

I have a scale length Williams GG1 and the Kline Pennsy semi-scale with TMCC and RS

Peter

Despite the OGR forum trying to make me feel stupid for doing it .... lol .... I pre-ordered the riveted 4800.

My first and only GG1.

(I'll be selling a few things to help afford it. lol)

I would love to buy one but it is just too much money.

NH Joe

You know what they say "if you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all"

Like in every other industry on this earth the cost of goods and services goes up all the time, which in turn causes the cost of finished goods to go up and therefore price to the end user.

Have you looked at the price of BMWs, Rolls Royce and all the other high end vehicles.  I want one of them too but there just too expensive, but you don't here me complaining about that do you??

Crying about the cost is not going to cause the manufactures to reduce there prices especially now with BTO. So give it up and enjoy what you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

"Personally I would prefer one VisionLine GG1 to any 10 MTH PS2 or PS3 locos you care to choose, or any 5  Williams by Bachmann locos.  That's just me.  But as others have stated, it is tiresome to hear the same old  condescension and whining stating someone else's taste and preferences that clearly are more sensible and correct than one's own.  Once or twice a year is quite often enough to hear them, speaking for myself. "

You're right!  Why should anyone have their own preferences when we all know yours are best? 

Bruce

 

I'm contemplating buying one also.

One #4800 is on order for me.

I never owned a GG1. I want this very cool engine to be part of my small O scale engine stable. I'm going to swing it.

Though, perhaps not a sound financial decision,  , I'm really looking forward to it. It would be great if it ships in time for Christmas.

Gentlemen,

   Not me, however it looks like I will purchase David (Rocky Mountaineers) JLC with the TMCC for the $450.00, for me this is a very good deal, if David kept it in perfect shape, it's a great deal for me!   I will run her with my Legacy Cab2 and be very happy with her.

PCRR/Dave

I ordered the Broadway Linited cars to go with my JLC GG1

Matt,

   That should look real cool, I already have the MTH PRR big Silvers to pull behind the JLC GG1, however the Broadway Limited sounds great also!

PCRR/Dave

NYC 428 posted:

You know what they say "if you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all"

 

Like in every other industry on this earth the cost of goods and services goes up all the time, which in turn causes the cost of finished goods to go up and therefore price to the end user.

Have you looked at the price of BMWs, Rolls Royce and all the other high end vehicles.  I want one of them too but there just too expensive, but you don't here me complaining about that do you??

Crying about the cost is not going to cause the manufactures to reduce there prices especially now with BTO. So give it up and enjoy what you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Logic like this is difficult to understand, but I think I got it.   You actually managed to complain when you never really do.

Bruce

"Why should anyone have their own preferences when we all know yours are best? "

My apologies if you received the impression I objected to you or anyone else having their preferences.  I was merely expressing mine in response to suggestions that,  for me,  would be less than desirable.  I find it  unhelpful when someone's advice is for me to buy PS2 or PS3 locos, which I have no interest in, or Williams locos to upgrade aftermarket, which I consider reasonable, but not my preference.  If these sorts of approaches appeal to you, more power to you.

I'm almost inclined to buy a Vision Line GG1 just to support Lionel and my dealer, and counteract the impression that their products are overpriced and attempts to sucker the public.   Claims which I consider lacking in any factual basis, and mainly sour grapes.  But I probably won't as I'm more of a NYC or New Haven guy .

I did note that reading these sorts of suggestions over and over again (buy MTH, Williams, used this or that instead, yada, yada) related to unhappiness about the pricing of Legacy/Lionel/Vision products was tiresome.  I certainly wasn't suggesting you in particular were the source of such repetitive and less than helpful suggestions.  So once again, my apologies if I gave that impression. 

Wow, what a Variation Of Opinions!!! The Question is, Who is buying this new (GG1) Fully Featured, VISIONLINE, Twin Speakers, Electrified Pantographs, Legacy Controlled Beautiful Model of one of Americas Finest and nicest Locomotives....Yes, I am getting the Tuscan 4913...This will pull my Congressional Passenger Set...I will just Pretend it has overhead Electrification!!!!  Thank You LIONEL....I know it's a little Pricy, but, I did the BTO Early pricing with my Local Hobby Shop...Personally, I like to be the First Owner do to the 2 Year Warranty. Now, Let's run trains....Happy Railroading...

 

 

leapinlarry posted:

Wow, what a Variation Of Opinions!!! The Question is, Who is buying this new (GG1) Fully Featured, VISIONLINE, Twin Speakers, Electrified Pantographs, Legacy Controlled Beautiful Model of one of Americas Finest and nicest Locomotives....

Now tell us the truth, Larry.  Did Lionel hire you to write the VisionLine GG-1's product brochure???