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Gentle Forum Members,

I am pleased to announce the twenty-third Lionel Collectible Car designed by the Merry Elves at the Railroad Museum of Long Island!  With this car, SKU 20-01260 - planned for arrival in time for the 2020 Holidays, the Museum once again highlights the rich agricultural history of Long Island and its relationship to railroading on the Island.

In the early 1870’s the first Chinese Peking Ducks in America were imported to New York City.  From that initial stock, a drake and three ducks were bred in Connecticut and found to be a hearty breed for the New World.

The streams and creeks of Eastern Long Island were ideal for providing clean, fresh water for ducklings to grow and thrive.  Thus, in the 1880’s a tremendous enterprise of duck “ranching” began on Long Island.  The succulent Long Island Duckling became the height of fine dining on steamships, railroad dining cars and the restaurants of New York City.  Our Duckling’s fame and tender meat spread across the country and World-wide - as far away as China!

Railroads built specialized stock cars for the transport of poultry.  The cars were similar in design to pig and cow cars but held shelving along the inner perimeter for the placement of cages holding the feathered stock.  A small room or shanty was built inside the car and a caretaker would ride with the fowl, caring for them, providing fresh drinking water and feed as they traveled to market.

In the early years of the industry, the Long Island Duckling traveled alive to market in New York City.  Eventually, a growing demand and improved technology lead to the harvesting of the ducks right at the ranch, their feathers were saved for down and they were dressed and placed in barrels for shipment to market.  Today’s Long Island Duckling is harvested, dressed and flash frozen, packaged and shipped to western markets in modern refrigerator trucks.

This Lionel "Scale O" railcar is reminiscent of the late 19th and early 20th Century type of car that could be used to transport Long Island Ducklings to market in New York City.  The road number, #384, is one of two road numbers assigned to Long Island Rail Road stock cars of the era.  Imagine yourself, an early “duck rancher,” providing succulent Long Island Ducklings to all the passengers on your layout’s “Broadway Limited” and “20th Century Limited” passenger trains!  You need this car on your pike to get your ducklings to market!!

We are now taking orders for the Long Island Duckling Stock Car through Friday, February 24, 2020.  We anticipate delivery to your mailbox in time for the 2020 Holiday Season.  Please use this link to download an order form,  https://rmli.org/toy-trains/collectible-cars/

Thank you for your interest,
Don Fisher, President

Railroad Museum of Long Island

Last edited by n2qhvRMLI
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Don,

First, Merry Christmas and Safe New Year to you, your family, and the entire RMLI Crew!  I'll be in Riverhead next week at the in-laws.  Turn the heat on outside, would you?

Second, wow, another fantastic offering and another great way to support the museum!

Will there be a PayPal option for this car as there have been on the recent offerings? 

Arthur posted:
GregM posted:

Okay, how many others when they first saw SKU 20-01260 thought that was an MTH number?

I'd be in if it was Lionel "Standard O" scale and yes, first thought it was MTH Premier, would have been in if that was also the case. 

With Lionel's new numbering schema, you will think everything Lionel does in 2020 is labeled like a Premier piece (though maybe the dash is optional).

Lionel starts with the year now, so everything intended for 2020 will start with a 20.  After 2020, you won't have to worry about this brand name question for another ten years though, assuming Lionel sticks with this numbering method through 2030.

Good to hear from you and the RMLI, Don!  I was wondering for a little while when the next car might be announced.  Glad to see the series continue!  One more to add to the collection!

-Dave

Hi John D. and SJC,

John, the weather is getting warmer on the Island, just in time for your visit :-)  We were at 50 degrees this afternoon, tomorrow is in the mid to upper 40's and sunny all week.  No White Christmas on Long Island this year!  If you are in the neighborhood next Saturday, December 28th, we'll be open from 10 - 4 for all the folks who received cash for the Holidays and want to buy some "good stuff" in the gift shop or just bring the family to see the Historic Lionel Layout from Chesterfield, MI.  I hope to see you!

SJC, this is a "Traditional O" car produced in China so I am going to assume it to be similar in size to the 6464 boxcar.  I will e-mail our Team Mates at Lionel and ask them for specific dimensions.  I will post them here - it may be after the New Year before I receive the answer as I'm not sure what the work schedule is this week at Concord, NC.  Stand by, we'll get the information ASAP!! :-)

Dave 45681, Thank you for the shout out and kind words!  This car was actually ready to go last year at this time.  With the demise of the Duck Ranching industry on Long Island, (there is only one facility left), we had a hard time nailing down the trademark and copyright permissions necessary for Lionel to produce the car.  We finally collected satisfactory documentation in October from an unrelated source - an author writing a book on the lost industry!  Just another interesting twist in producing Collectible Cars!

Our next car has a partner already and the artwork is on the drawing board.  It will be another Made in America boxcar.  Watch for the announcement in the months ahead. 

Happy Holidays,
Don

Last edited by n2qhvRMLI

Gentle Forum Members - with special attention to "Arthur," "SJC" and "PSU 1980."

Happy New Year one and all.  I have news!  I have confirmed with Lionel that this Long Island Duckling Stock Car IS NOT "Traditional O" but is "Scale O!"   As it has been advertised, I must eat humble pie for the confusion I may have caused here. 

My Team Mate at Lionel writes:  "The Stock Car will be a "Scale O" car that measures about 11.5" in length with a minimum curve of O-31.  In addition it will have die-cast sprung trucks with operating couplers and hidden uncoupling tabs."

There is a plausible reason for my screw up here - but it's a long story that developed over the twelve months this car was in design and discovery, and it is my fault!  I won't bore you with the details but I will apologize for any confusion this may cause.  I know it will make some of us very happy to consider a "Scale O" car but some of us may only collect or be able to run "Traditional O."  If anyone who has already ordered a car decides he or she doesn't want a "Scale O" size car, please message me through the Forum or by e-mail at:  dfisher@rmli.org  and I will arrange an immediate return of your payment.

Thank you for your understanding,
Don Fisher, President

Railroad Museum of Long Island

Happy New Year John D.

We accept PayPal only on the Bachmann HO car models.  Those cars are managed through the gift shop which is set up with a protocol and staff to handle it. 

Our Lionel Collectible Car Program is managed by the Car Club Committee and does not accept PayPal.  We need a filled out order form and either a check or credit card payment.  That exchange conforms to our agreement with Lionel, you are a returning or you become a member of the Museum's Collectible Car Club with your processed order form and payment.

Sorry we missed each other over the Holidays!  Maybe a visit during the 2020 summer season :-)

Best,
Don

Don,

As they say "check is in the mail"! 

Really excited about this one - quite frankly, many of the cars the museum has offered haven't really been my style but the North Fork "tater chip" car and this one are real winners! Was out in the Hamptons for the holidays, sorry I was not able to come by the museum. Really wanting to see the Lionel layout! Maybe in the summer...

SJC,

I understand, "some cars I like, some cars I don't like!"  I'm happy this one catches your eye :-)

Do plan to stop by the Museum during our 2020 season.  Over the years we've increased the number of working accessories on the layout from thirty-nine to eighty-one.  There is something of interest for everyone on the layout.  We begin Tuesday work sessions again next week, I know there is a big addition planned for the layout this work season.  April 4, 2020 will be the unveiling!!  :-)

Happy New Year!
Don

n2qhvRMLI posted:

Gentle Forum Members - with special attention to "Arthur," "SJC" and "PSU 1980."

Happy New Year one and all.  I have news!  I have confirmed with Lionel that this Long Island Duckling Stock Car IS NOT "Traditional O" but is "Scale O!"   As it has been advertised, I must eat humble pie for the confusion I may have caused here. 

My Team Mate at Lionel writes:  "The Stock Car will be a "Scale O" car that measures about 11.5" in length with a minimum curve of O-31.  In addition it will have die-cast sprung trucks with operating couplers and hidden uncoupling tabs."

There is a plausible reason for my screw up here - but it's a long story that developed over the twelve months this car was in design and discovery, and it is my fault!  I won't bore you with the details but I will apologize for any confusion this may cause.  I know it will make some of us very happy to consider a "Scale O" car but some of us may only collect or be able to run "Traditional O."  If anyone who has already ordered a car decides he or she doesn't want a "Scale O" size car, please message me through the Forum or by e-mail at:  dfisher@rmli.org  and I will arrange an immediate return of your payment.

Thank you for your understanding,
Don Fisher, President

Railroad Museum of Long Island

n2qhvRMLI posted:

Gentle Forum Members - with special attention to "Arthur," "SJC" and "PSU 1980."

Happy New Year one and all.  I have news!  I have confirmed with Lionel that this Long Island Duckling Stock Car IS NOT "Traditional O" but is "Scale O!"   As it has been advertised, I must eat humble pie for the confusion I may have caused here. 

My Team Mate at Lionel writes:  "The Stock Car will be a "Scale O" car that measures about 11.5" in length with a minimum curve of O-31.  In addition it will have die-cast sprung trucks with operating couplers and hidden uncoupling tabs."

There is a plausible reason for my screw up here - but it's a long story that developed over the twelve months this car was in design and discovery, and it is my fault!  I won't bore you with the details but I will apologize for any confusion this may cause.  I know it will make some of us very happy to consider a "Scale O" car but some of us may only collect or be able to run "Traditional O."  If anyone who has already ordered a car decides he or she doesn't want a "Scale O" size car, please message me through the Forum or by e-mail at:  dfisher@rmli.org  and I will arrange an immediate return of your payment.

Thank you for your understanding,
Don Fisher, President

Railroad Museum of Long Island

Great! I’ll mail my order form in. Thank you for making this car. A very interesting piece of LIRR history. 

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