Who's In-Lionel 115th Anniversary Berkshire

Although this 115 yr. commemorative is outside my budget, I can understand the arguments from both its fans and detractors.  I personally prefer the looks of the painted or pilot versions, but also understand how important it is to make the most effective use of its tooling to generate sales.

 

I would prefer a VERY sparkly and shiny tinplate version (Std. or O) of The Polar Express.

Go back to the thread from early 2014 where people were talking about how ugly the Gold Polar Express was.  Remember the pics from York and the outcry about the blue lettering on the tender?  And then look at how big of a hit it was once people actually got them.

 

I think this is going to go over more once it's on people's layouts.  I could see it looking very nice on a Christmas layout or under the tree with all of the lights reflecting off of it.  And then there is that whole Silver and Gold song.  Put this next to the Gold Polar Express.

 

I personally hope that the Gold PE will be re-released sooner rather than later.  I couldn't swing it last year but will definitely jump on it next time.  And I think a lot of other people will too.

Is the gold Berkshire a collector item like every is thinking this engine wil be?  How much do the gold berkshires go for?

Not for me but am curious about the plating. Chrome would make more sense as it would stay bright much longer. Silver would eventually tarnish even if it was clear coated.

 

Pete

Not so sure the dust has settled on those yet.  They were BTO.  And after delivery, some dealer street-prices inched toward MSRP or even a few $$$ more in isolated cases.  That may be more common as BTO plays out, although other dealers like Charlie Ro seem to hold their price to what was advertised and just sell through at that price until they sold them all.

 

May take a bit more time to see how the true secondary market treats those Gold Berks.  On the plus side, you also have a terrific matching set of gold P/E passenger cars.

 

David

 

 

I am sure photos don't do either the gold or silver versions justice. I am not interested in either (operator, not collector), but the gold appeals more than the silver. 

The comparison that was made about the Gold Edition 10th Anniversary Berkshire when it was first shown at last October's York Meet is a good one. There were so many outcries about the gold painted finish and the blue lettering. When it got in the consumers' hands, an entirely different story. It was an instant success. We bought our Gold Berkshire to use, not sit on some shelf as a collectors item. And use it we have and it is one terrific looking passenger train.

 

Anyone who considers the 115th Anniversary silver plated Berkshire as a collector's item that will gain in value I believe is being unrealistic. Having said that, many will buy it because they are loyal Lionel fans and having one of only 250 has an appeal, in this case a numbered piece as well. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this logic. Is this engine for everyone's taste, certainly not as can be determined form the comments made to this thread. Will it sell out despite negative comments, you bet. So if you plan to buy this one, get to your dealer soon.

 

Thanks to all of you who have commented both favorably or otherwise.

"PS, Sorry I didn't get to see you and ELIZABETH at YORK"

 

Sorry we missed you as well. We had a great time.

PTC,

 

 I'm with you.  I didn't order this shiny new offering as an investment or collector's piece.

I ordered it because I like these one off things, and it will be fun (to me...which is all that matters).   I think it will be fun to run it in the dark with just the layout lights reflecting off of it.

 

The place where I placed my order says he has seven orders so far.

Saw it, like it but not sure if I would buy one. I got the 765 and the Big Boy this year, might need to give the wallet aa rest and actually finish my new layout design. Now that I have the turntable - the next purchase is a roundhouse. Start small and slow. I am more into running than collecting but.............anything is possible. I missed out on the Polar Express so ........

I am sure they will come up with something...like these "hot" collectables, and the 75th anniversary gateman?

 

 

 

75th Anniversary Set

Maybe another surprise for us all?

I purchased the gold (100th) a couple of months ago nib, for 1300.00, from what I have heard it sold for more than that when new.  I am not sure that they will be selling the silver for 1900, when the big boy was listed at $2,600.00.  Is that price (1900) confirmed?

I was wondering why I didn't like the silver verses the gold. I looked at the gold one tonight and realize that it wasn't all gold. The wheels are black and push rods are silver.  The contrast of the colors make it for me.  The silver one is all silver with no contrast, which in my eye hides the detail.

The 'silver' rods on the gold 100th Hudson I believe are platinum plated.

 

Well, if Charlie Nassau's comment is accurate -- and we have no reason to believe it isn't, the only reason there even IS a 115th Anniversary Berkshire could simply be that Lionel needed a minimum production run when they decided to fulfill the Charlie Ro Polar Express Berkshire (6-11451) orders that weren't delivered last Christmas with all the other Berkshire locomotives.  

 

So Charlie gets his black scale PE Berks (albeit 6 months late), and Lionel uses the "extra" Berks in this production run to create the 115th Anniversary Berks.  Who knows?  Were there no mixup last Christmas with Charlie Ro's order, then there might not even be a 115th Anniversary ANYTHING, and we'd be discussing the next big anniversary offering in 10 years when 2025 rolls around for Lionel's 125th. 

 

David

 

 

Typically speaking, in other things in life , a silver anniversary is 25 years, a Gold anniversary is 50 years....Did Lionel get both things , well, a bit off

 

A 15 year anniversary is called a Quindecennial

 

There is NO name for a 115 year anniversary specific celebration per se, but one can make it up!

 

BTW,  a 100 year anniversary is called a Centennial , a 125 year anniversary is called a Quasquicentennia!!!

 

Go figure

 

I'm happy Lionel is celebrating 115 years.  Not too many companies last that long.  

 

But rather than a silver-plated "collectible" I wish they would offer a really special loco, something like a Vision ATSF 1000 class or 2-10-2 - some interesting locomotive that was new and from the year 1900 or thereabouts.  

Well, I have to say, if PTC's Picture is the actual Silver Berkshire, I like it.  How does one order this 115Th, Anniversary Locomotive? I might be a Player....Thanks for Posting this Information....Happy Raolroading

For something like this, I'd order from a Lionel direct dealer.  They may not have an official price or allocation yet, but I've heard a couple are already taking orders.

 

David

Larry, you have a number of good choices to order from OGR Forum sponsors. Contact me by e-mail if you need any help with this.

Not my thing.  I don't go in much for either silver or gold.  (If it had a red-lensed Mars light, it would look like a Cylon off the old Battlestar Galactica TV show (the '70s version, not the more recent one.)  Oddly, it's not the logo that bothers me.

 

Now, I hope Lionel sells them all!  But they won't sell one to me.  My wish would be to cut that price by two-thirds, rip out most of the guts, paint it black and graphite, and letter it for one of the MoPac's 1900-class.  I would be there!  (But, alas! probably alone, which is why they won't do it.)