I do wonder why a "Flyer Classics" line -- like Williams "Golden Memories", etc. was not attempted. Sure, Lionel outsold Gilbert 3:1, but even 1/3 of Lionel's postwar production was a LOT.
Give them time, I'm reasonably sure that Lionel will reintroduce some "Classic Flyer" sets eventually. There were some reproduction passenger sets done in the 1980's and 1990's: UP Pony Express, Mopac Set, Northern Pacific North Coast Limited, Silver Flash, to name a few.
Rusty
I love those sets, but they're all examples of high-priced production aimed at the "collector market." Williams and the Lionel "Conventional Classics" were aimed at the enthusiast/operator and certainly Williams at least did well in this market. So, one idea would be for many road names on, say, the Gilbert Hudson paired with the old Heavyweights. No fancy electronics, just some tweaking as Lionel did with the Northern releases (and at a very attractive street price).
EVERYTHING in the 1980's-1990's Lionel/Flyer line was aimed at the collector's market. The cancelled 1988 Hudsons had an MSRP of $450! If I remember correctly, all that the Hudsons were to have was an electronic reverse unit and smoke.
Take a look at the new Williams by Bachmann prices, they're getting up there too. The 2046 small Hudson reproduction now lists for $430 and a 4 car Madison set for $300.
I really wouldn't expect a Flyer equivalent to weigh in for much less nowadays, seeing that the complete tooling for the Hudson or old heavyweights either doesn't exist anymore or requires a lot of refurbishment.
Granted, you could say street price would be lower, but because of price variations of various dealers, one has to use the MSRP as a basis for comparison.
Rusty
