AF 6-42573 (Same Cab Numbers)

What Road is this set?

Southern Pacific LEGACY PA AA Set

Already, no spare parts??? Oh Bother, another reason I don't like the new stuff.

I can understand no extra engine shells on a Build-To-Order engine.  It's what is inside where they will have limited parts for awhile. Plus the PA's coming out will share the same internal components.  Aren't there SP PA's coming out again from the 2017 catalog?

I checked and the set coming out has a new product number.

I can see it now, in the future: "RARE!! FACTORY ERROR!!! buy it now!!" Thinking about it, there's probably someone out there with an engine with twp 6010 shells. Still, BTO should have some spare parts, shipping mistakes, etc.

OK guys, what's the difference between Build To Order and Pre-Order?  Are we or am I confusing the two?  I didn't think Lionel made any Flyer in BTO.  I DO know they don't have a lot of spare parts.  (great way to run a company)

They are related When you pre-order they build-to-order.  That is why now you don't find years of inventory.  Think Berks and the new Northern especially the Frisco.

banjoflyer posted:

Pre-order also may present a discounted price from the vendor.

This year Charles Ro offered a pre-order time period which presented discounted prices on some items. That period ends today 3/30/17. After the pre-order period prices may  rise to a slightly higher  vendor discounted price.

The items "pre-ordered" will generate required production numbers of many items and therefor represent "build-to-order" quantities for Lionel to make.

I'm guessing the "build-to-order" quantities are mostly used on higher priced items such as engines so Lionel doesn't get stuck with unsold inventory with high production costs.

My 2 cents.

mark

Mark,

That's how I've always thought of the difference.  I've always pre-ordered the things I have wanted due to the price discount and to half way insure the item's manufacture.  But it doesn't always work out.  Case in point: the mechanical reefers.  Long ago, if I had known about pre-order (an if other Flyer guys did too) the SD40-2 may have been made after all.  It's just that I don't remember seeing any Flyer items specifically labeled "build to order" like our three rail cousins.  Besides, BTO seems to apply to high end items.  That leaves a cheapskate like me out!

Sorry for hijacking this thread.  So to get to the topic, things like what are described happen.  Does it make it valuable?  Only as to who is willing to pay for it.  It may be uncommon, but with modern production overseas, things like this happen.  But it happened "back in the day" too.  I have a nice Gilbert DC Northern with no lettering on one side of the tender.  Interesting, but not all that valuable, or uncommon, I guess.

poniaj posted:

I have a nice Gilbert DC Northern with no lettering on one side of the tender.  Interesting, but not all that valuable, or uncommon, I guess.

I place no value in factory errors.  Back in 2012, my EL U33C was delivered without the left side yellow stripes above and below the maroon stripe.  I sent it back for replacement.

It was 3 months before it returned from Lionel.

Rusty