would you but a flyer set offered by LCCA

Depends on the set. Remake of flyer set or new set with one of the new Lionel designed engines?

 

For example, I pre-ordered and have been waiting 2+ years for the remake of the Defender set but do not own any of the new Lionel engines.

 'Yes' would very much depend on what was proposed. Some of the 'tougher' sets from 1956-59 that have not been already reissued by Lionel might draw in more takers.

 

If it was a prewar 'Chicago' Flyer tinplate set, yes, I could be very interested. At this time, there are no reproductions of any Flyer O gauge tinplate at all. But unfortunately, there is no existing tooling to serve as a basis for such an offering.

 

Bob Bubeck

 

PS: I have been informed by the folks at Lionel that the Defender set is still slated for production.

Lou,

 

I would absolutely buy an S scale set if it was done as faithfully as you did the NH 209 set in O scale.  With your commitment to quality and accuracy in making reproductions, a good repoduction set with the older style heavyweights in green or red would very, very nice, IMO, especially if it had reproduction boxes!!! 

 

I may be in the minority here, but I would also be interested in one of the early link pin hudson passenger sets like the: 4613  or one of the old 332 passenger sets like the: 4617.

 

 

 

"but" no

"buy" maybe if its tinplate O gauge.

Interesting thought, Lou. 

 

This wouldn't be a veiled attempt to snatch some dues money out of my poor, weary wallet now, would it?

 

I've observed you doing some interesting things with Lionel and you almost had me with the 208's and 209's.   It took a lot of cold showers...

 

Seriously, as others have stated, it would depend on the offering.  For myself, I've pretty much stopped collecting Flyer made with or based on Gilbert designs (except for the EP-5's, I'm a sucker for those...)

 

The newer scale offerings on the other hand, if they're not fantasy (or too much fantasy...) I might be interested.

 

Rusty

Bob:

 

Talked with the Lionel folks recently and they think now the Defender will be pushed out again, perhaps into next year (web site still says July). They still are having problems with the bell ringer and the box car and launcher combo.

Lou,

 

Great idea. You are so creative!

 

Seriously, there are two basic ways to go here. One is a reproduction of a hard-to-find AC Gilbert Flyer set. The problem with that approach is Lionel has done so many Flyer Sets, Geeps and PAs over the last three decades that there would be resistance among collectors to buy more Gilbert inspired equipment unless it had not been made over and over again.  For example, I bought the new Texas Special PAs because that is the first time Lionel has offered them with modern electronics and features; command control, RailSounds and fan driven smoke. I would not have ordered them otherwise.

 

The other approach is to use the newly tooled offerings with the electronics Lionel is packing into their S scale steam and diesels these days. Here, someone with your proven ability to create desirable trains could do wonderful thing for us hobbyists. How about a New Haven passenger set led by the electronically enhanced PAs for starters.  Or you could use the new U-33 and SD-70ACe diesels to create a memorable freight set. Lionel has several newly tooled steamers that could be the basis for colorful freight or passenger sets. the possibilities are endless for someone  with your fertile imagination, historical knowledge of O and S gauge trains and access to Lionel tooling.

 

Or you could really go crazy and convince Lionel to do the NYC Hudson with new scale tooling. Gee, it worked for the Vision Lionel Hudson. 

 

Just a few thoughts to get things rolling. Stay tuned, film at eleven

 

Ed Boyle

Just my personal opinion, but I would be interested only if it were scale. I don't have any interest in any postwar type reissues.

Ed, if Lionel does an S scale Hudson I think I might go crazy! Seriously, I will buy 2 or 3, especially if they were in a unique set. How about one freight and one passenger set? Drooooooool.....

jonnyspeed,

 

Agreed!

 

Now that would be the way for Lionel to reintroduce an S scale Hudson to the line.

 

The Vision Line Hudson with all its great operational features can show the way for its new little brother.  Might take a while for them to do it given how much it would cost and depending on the reaction of the market to current Lionel S scale steamers, but it would be a watershed steam engine for ALL S scalers.

 

Better for the postwar Hudson tooling, if still existing, to have an honorable retirement.  It is sort of a 700 E in S, without the same level of accuracy. For example, the engine is a tad too wide for S scale, although there was a good reason for that.

 

Ed Boyle

YOU GUY'S CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR I WILL DO REPO BOXES IF WE DO POSTWAR VERSIONS. NOW IF WE DECIDE TO USE SOME OF THE NEW SCALE PRODUCT I WILL CARRY OVER SOME OF THE POSTWAR ERA TOUCHIE FEELIE STUFF.

I PROMISE YOU NOTHING LIKE YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE! NOW IF LIONEL WILL ALLOW US TO REPRODUCE A POST WAR SET EVEN THE BOXES WILL BEE RIGHT!

I REFUSE TO USE ALCO DIESELS.

I HAVE CONSIDERED A HUDSON, -0-8-0 AND A K-4

MODERN ERA AC-6000, SD-90, E-7'S- , SHARKS, JC BABY FACE, UP DD-35

Well, this is more helpful.

 

All new E-7, Sharknose, JC Baby Face ideas are all very interesting to me but these would require new tooling. Would Lionel-AF do this for you? Suggest a first generation diesel because most S folk have steam or transition era equipment and these would fit in more readily than the more modern locomotives. Would love to see BF-15 Sharks (other than the lovely but expensive scale brass River Raisin jobs) and DR-6-4-2000 JC Baby Faces in S!

 

The steam engines you mention (Hudson, 0-8-0, and K5) might be best if all new, scale detailed, and full-featured. There are plenty of Gilbert originals out there and I rather doubt the old tooling is up to being used without a lot of reconditioning. Lionel had to make new tools to produce the UP FEF Northerns a few years ago.

 

I'll give you one PA set that really should be redone -- the No. 20480 Santa Fe "Chief" freight set from 1958. This should include, however, the updated 6-wheel power trucks and TMCC/RS in the freight scheme PA-PB-PA. This is a magnificant big 8 car freight set with an operating Gilbert's milk car and bakeman BW caboose. And, Lionel has all of the tooling to produce this one, too. Done with the proper Gilbert 'feel' in terms of rolling stock decoration and packaging (but with updated PA's), this might sell well.

 

Further thoughts?

 

Bob Bubeck

A newer Legacy featured hi rail wheeled scale sized hudson with the PT style centipede tender with 3 heavyweights would do nicely. Speaking of an AF styled Hudson, there was one proposed to be offered which as I recall was even pictured in a catalog ( don't remember the year) which was not made due to either high price or lack of some key parts molds from Gilbert.

 

Rich

The very high pricing of the 1988 cataloged 6-48200 Wabash and 6-48201 AT&SF Hudsons relative to the then current prices for Gilbert Hudsons in LN or E condition 'killed' the project.

 

Bob Bubeck 

I would agree Bob! As much as I like steam powered passenger sets, I would enjoy seeing this one done as well.  I would say this is one of the top five postwar freight sets and would be a strong candidate for a reproduction if that is the direction Lou wants to go.

I suggest you make the two unit Seaboard Baldwin diesel switcher set Flyer offered in the late 50's.

Lou If it is post war s gauge then yes. I love the Santa fe alco idea. How about one of the 4-8-4 up sets, Lionel should be all tooled up for that because the have reissued them. Put a set of green Pullmans behind them with Lionel's new flyer heavyweights and I think you would have a winner. Ben

No

may i ask or get your opinion please

thanks

louie

that is something on our list JIMMY

im going to look into this. you have my word!

I would suggest that someone here who is also a member of the Yahoo American Flyer groups cross-post Lou's proposal over there.

 

Rusty

I will put a Poll on the Facebook group as well.

I APPRECIATE IT!

 

THANKS LOUIE

 

Lionel's Remy Convery Introduces American Flyer Scale Challenger

This past Fall, Lionel Product Manager Remy Convery spent some time with the LCCA and introduced their new American Flyer S-scale Challenger with their full Legacy command control system.  Click on the video link below and view what Remy has to say about the new engine and Lionel's introduction of their new S-gauge Fastrack. Thank you Lionel and Remy for sharing this information with our fellow LCCA members and guests of our website.Www.lionelcollectors.org

OK...  I took my life into my own hands and posted this informaton, linking both treads over on the S Scale Yahoo board. 

 

I expect to be excommunicated over there...

 

Rusty

 

I only run link coupler stuff, but I do have several Lionel and MTH produced Flyer accessories. 

 

Perhaps there's a Flyer accessory not yet re-released that would appeal to both S and O gauge operators and collectors.  A few suggestions:

 

596 Water Tank

586 Wayside station

762 2-in-1 whistle

754 Double Trestle bridge (not sure on clearance for O)

612 Freight and passenger station

593 Signal Tower

50 District school

One of the Minicraft buildings http://www.myflyertrains.org/A...3_catalog_page34.htm

One of the figure sets http://www.myflyertrains.org/A...0_catalog_page42.htm

 

 

 

Brady

YOU COULD GET A BIG SURPRISE!!!! LET'S LEAVE IT AT THAT. ONE NEVER KNOWS

Hi Lou,

 

After 24 hours on the facebook poll we have 5 votes for new scale tooling, 1 vote for Postwar reissues, 2 votes of either scale or Postwar, and zero "No thank you" votes.

It was interesting that Brady initially said a flat 'No' to the question and then when pressed to expand came up with a majority list of accessories that are basically pre-war. if we are looking to expand the 'S' line then all of it on the will not persuade me to purchase any of it. It is better suited to the 'O' gauge people and aimed at them specifically. With regards to a Hudson, originals are still reasonably cheap to acquire and there is know way I am going to spend a lot more on a new old original with a simple smoke/choo-choo unit. If Lionel want to consider a new Hudson it will have to be new from the ground up and to semi-scale standards, or perhaps more but not too much that means I will be frightened to pick it up for fear of breaking something off. At this point I believe Lionel should seriously consider selling it with options for scale/hi-rail wheels and more importantly giving us the option for either having it with all the full electronic sounds or not, or even just offering it as a simple engine with the sound system available as an optional kit which can be added by us to install. I believe this would be a much better option to suit many tastes. I think the emphasis for the future should be to produce new items of old and modern outline that compliments the original AF line so that they can be operated together but with the exacting standards/quality demanded for today. A lot of old AF still looks good now and can be fun to run, I have no problems myself to mix and match what I run. Perhaps we are at a cross-roads where we should consider leaving original Flyer in the past to collect and run it for what it represents and enjoy what the future holds. These are just my own thoughts and I know that not everyone will agree with me, but you have asked for people's input and this is mine. Regards, Neil

Neil,

I am in full agreement on what you say.  I don't want the new electronic stuff, and would like it as an option instead of built in.  Pre-war Flyer is nice, but not what I would want.  Speaking only for myself, the Hudson, if done up to present day standards of finish, would be great!  I think it's the standard by which all steamers are judged.  Nature's most perfect steamer, if you will.  If offered WITHOUT all the "sparky stuff", I would buy one in a flash.  The Hudson coupled with (pun intended) classic heavyweight cars, would be a great addition to the Flyer Fleet. 

 

Just my dos centavos worth....

 

Jerry

Lou,

 

I agree with Neil and Jerry. I run mostly post war 50s and 60s locomotives mixed with a few AM and SHS diesels.

 

I'm not interested in any of the electronic features; all I would want is somthing that doesn't talk or smoke, and runs on AC. The new stuff looks great but I'm not going to pay for features I will never use. I'm all for having a basic locomotive with any of the bells and whistles as options. Wow, this is one of those times where my using "bells and whistles" is near literal!

 

A hi-rail Hudson would be great idea. I have always thought Hudsons were the perfect steamer with plenty of pulling power and not as restrictive as a longer Northern. A project in the near future is restoring a basket case Hudson I acquired for very little $$.

 

Thanks,

Rich

 

 

 

A Hudson of any type (i.e, scale or reproduction), especially in a set would be amazing. Thanks for asking for our input. Chris

Lou Any idea when u will know if this project will be a go for the LCCA regardless of what set is made? Ben

Well, I posted the information about potential LCCA S gauge products on the Yahoo S Scale group and got crickets.  It was a long shot anyway.  Beats tar and feathers, though...

 

Haven't seen any mention on S-Trains or Lionel-Flyer Yahoo groups.  I sent an email to Timboy, who owns the Lionel-Flyer Yahoo group, but got no response.

 

Rusty

Rusty,

 

Can you please call me at 248 709-4137

 

Al Kolis

Immediate Past-President

Lionel Collectors Club of America

Tonight, after 6p.m. central time, if that's OK.

 

Rusty

Rusty,

 

Yes that will work.  I do have another conference call at 7 PM CDT tonight.  

 

Al K.

Lou, the poll on Facebook has slowed down a bit but the ratio remains the same as what I posted above. Also, for the record... I am not an LCCA member. Never wanted to be as most of the sets we're nice, but not my cup of tea in O. Now I have O, S, and HO models. If you brought out a new scale tooled S set I would join the LCCA and buy at least one set. I am sure I'm not the only one. So I think you are on the right track towards your goal of increasing membership. Thanks, Jonny<I want an S scale Hudson>speed