Why does Lionel put its name on cars

Talk about opening up a HUGE can of worms!  

 

This has been discussed many, many, many times by the 3-Rail SCALE modelers, yet Lionel STILL continues to do this, even on EXCELLENT scale pieces of rolling stock. 

All to do with brand image and to let people know where it came from, a subtle means of advertising to get people to buy more from the same company

K LIne used to do this too. It drove me nuts! It's one thing to add something not prototypical to a custom run, but not this.

Don

I was under the impression that starting in 2015 Lionel will move the made by under the item.

It's a tradition with Lionel that began a long time ago.

 

I believe the first products that had the BBL inscription were the scale and semi-scale freight cars introduced with the 700E and 763 Hudsons in 1937.

 

It has appeared on some but not all freight cars ever since. It's interesting in that all boxcars seemed to get the BBL, but only some cabooses in the postwar era, most hoppers, some but not all gondolas, no flat cars, a small number of tankcars, etc.

 

This thread had me checking, and at first glance it appears that BBL does not appear on any car labeled Lionel Lines, only those for real railroads. Beyond that, I'd have to do some extensive checking.

 

Looking for patterns in its use would make a good research project for the TCA Quarterly.

 

As far as its use being disturbing on otherwise scale rolling stock is concerned, I can't see those tiny letters from more than a foot or so away anyway, so it's not a concern to me.

 

Jim

 

 

 

 It was Lionel's way to say he was proud to put his name on a Quietly item.

It has stuck with the company ever since. 

Because they can

 

I don't like it, but I can't blame them either.  It's another way of advertising.

No issue with THAT.  But why does it have be on the outsides of VERY expensive SCALE pieces of rolling stock? Why can't that "Blt by Lionel" be place on the UNDERSIDE of SCALE pieces?

 

Recently Lionel has even begun making their SCALE freight cars compatible for Kadee scale type couplers. Yet that "Blt by Lionel" is still there.

Check out the signage modifications the LCCA had done to the Nickel Plate 765 during their 44 Th Annual Convention held last July in Indianapolis IN.  It really looks like a model of the Lionel 726 Berkshire Lionel Lines train engine and tender. lol

 

LCCA video will follow 

Hi all,

We believe everyone will be happy to know that beginning with the 2014 C1 catalog (new items shown) we will be placing the small "Built by Lionel" with the 6- product number on the underside of our scale rolling stock.

 

The traditional / O27 / semi-scale equipment will still include the stamping on the side of the car, but all new scale rolling stock pieces will have the built stamping on the underside.

 

"You have spoken and we have listened!"

 

Thank you!

Mike Reagan

Lionel

That pretty much covers this one, Mike. Thanks for your reply.

Hello Bob......

     Below are two photos of Built by Lionel

The PHD Boxcar, St. Clair Blue Water Route, also says;

"When Empty Return to Lionel Visitors Center"

"Built 2001 by Lionel"

The Tank Car says;

BASF Wyandotte

"Built 1999 by Lionel"

We all put up with the middle rail, so I can put up with this when modeling in 3 Rail Lionel.I also like these cars because they are local road names.

MTH & Rail King seems not do put their name on the side of the car. 

Lionel must see it as advertising for free, someone puts a photo in a major Modeling Magazine and they get free advertising.

Great topic, thanks for the posting.

  Click photo to enlarge.  

I'm trying to think of how many manufacturers don't put their name on what they make?

 

Nice too see Lionel will be moving it. Never bothered me though.

I never cared for it myself, on their scale rolling stock at any rate.  I think it's fine when applied on their traditional and more "toy-like" stuff (which I also do have, BTW).

 

Either way, for engines & rolling stock made after 2001 I regard the "Built By Lionel" tag as a misnomer more than anything since those haven't actually been "built" by Lionel since then.

hello guys and gals...........

 

On my Lionel #18117 Santa Fe F-3, Lionel left the name "built by Lionel" off and this engine was built by Lionel in 1993 here in USA !!!. I wished they leave it ON !!! I wondered if it can be done by "dry letter transfer" in yellow ?

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678,2003,200

Tiffany

THANK YOU SIR!!!

 

Thus endith the discussion. 

Mikado - That is greatly appreciated.  It is nice that Lionel has paid attention to it's customers.

 

I also am glad to hear that the rest of the Lionel lines will keep the "Built by". 

 

Lionel made the right decision.  Now Kadee pads, and we will be there. 

 

At some point in the future, I would hope that Lionel would consider offering 2-rail truck replacements, as do MTH, Atlas, and Weaver.  Lionel's scale cars are top notch and I'd like to use them on my 2 rail layout.

 

 

 

I thought the new rolling stock had Kadee pads as well. Read the catalog. There seems to be some new rolling stock with the Kadee pads. 

Why does FORD put their name on their cars?  lol

Bob, to answer your question, because Lionel produces the product.  All Lionel trains are toy trains whether scale or traditional in size.  I'm proud to have their name on the side of freight cars or anything else for that matter.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

Because they are Ford cars. If they were selling Chevrolet cars and putting Ford on them would that still make sense to you? Lionel puts that stuff on products because they know people will buy it. No other reason.

That is fantastic news Mike! Kadee pads, no more Built By on the sides..... Whats next???? Fixed pilots??? Or even more semi-fixed pilots like the ES44??? Man oh man.

"Lionel Lines."

 

Love it!

I've enjoyed Lionel products for over 65 years and have grown accustomed to seeing the 'Built by Lionel' on everything I own and to tell you the truth; it doesn't bother me.  Although it just MIGHT have bothered me on my soon-to-be-delivered Big Boy.

 

However, I must admit that Mike Reagan's thoughtfulness in listening to suggestions from here on the forum (and I'm sure elsewhere) and then following through by putting the aforementioned information on the underside of high end equipment will be both welcomed and much appreciated by all.

 

THANK YOU Mike, well done sir!!!

 

Best,

Dave

This will remove the eyesore.

Ray Marion

Since I don't have any interest in scale trains, I hope that Lionel keeps the BBL on its traditional rolling stock (the kind I buy) FOREVER. Sounds like it is safe for now according to Mike Regan.  Frankly, this is a matter that never crossed my mind. What's next, taking Chatham and Hillside off passenger cars?! NEVER!!

Doesn't matter where they put the name there all still "Toys" 

I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't like the new policy.  I LOOK for the Blt By Lionel.  I'm disappointed that it is coming off, even if it is just on the 'scale' stuff.  Lionel was the only one that could do it and now they won't.  I'd go so far to add a small dry transfer BBL if it were made available.  I can live with it though.

 

Change is constant.

I looked for it too. Plenty of older Lionel scale rolling stock I don't have yet I need to get. Probably skip any of the new stuff.

Back when I was a kid, and continuing to this day, I consdidered my Marx 3/16 (with

a tiny almost indiscernible M-A-R-X on the cars superior, and sneered (continue to do

so) at a fictitious, glaring "LIONEL" on the side of rolling stock.  Now running Lionel compatible, if I pick up a car with a desired road name in  a show, and it is visibly fouled by a conspicuous "LIONEL" (and Flyer did it with some of their pre-war three rail), I drop it like a hot rock.  Rest assured there ain't any of them here.

Obviously, Lionel is making more of its product attractive to a wider audience.

Considering the fact that this is an American based company which has been in business for 114 years I feel they have earned the distinction of honoring the name.

 

Better "Built by Lionel" than "Made in China" (yes, I know where they are made but I'm pleased it is not advertised on the side of the pieces. 

Mike - Thanks for clearing this up and for making a good decision.  This should make everyone happy if that is possible. 

 

Art

 

 

Let me see if I get this right:  

 

They come out of a box that has "Lionel" on it, they say "Lionel" underneath the cars & engines, and you're now inclined to not buy anything that doesn't have the BBL placard on the sides, even though you know full well it is still Lionel?

 

Wow.

Same here.  I find it amusing that some people here get upset by it.

 

No more amusing than those that get upset if it isn't there.

 

 

 

 

Yes but if you look closely there's no "Blt By Lionel" placard anywhere on the engine or tender.  

It may be on the underside!  LOL

 

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

 

Does this live size 726 come with the Lionel's postwar 90 day warranty ?  Not sure you can even run it on the new ZW-L ? LOLOL

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678,2003,200

Tiffany

Again, I am a Hi-Railer. I weather. I bash. I change locomotives into other things. I

build scale Decapods from Mikados. I paint and decal.

 

And I LIKE the "Built by Lionel/K-Line/etc" on scale cars. It always makes me smile.

This is not a serious business. So, "Mikado" - you listened to some of your customers.

Some. Not I.

 

This simply means that I'm going to have to get some custom decals that say "Built by

Lionel" - and the others - and put them on the cars...actually that's a twistedly appealing idea.

 

Purists (in 3-rail? Har!) can sure take the fun out of the room.