American Flyer by Lionel catalog - Pictures !!

Haven't heard that one.  Interesting if true.  We shall see...

 

Rusty

Call me when it's made in the US and the trucks don't fall apart

It's true, straight from Lionel's reps mouth today

Sounds good!  When is it due out, this month or in the fall?

The AF catalog is due out end of February

Will this AF catalog be delivered to LRRC members like all the others?  

Perhaps there will be an American Flyer-only railroaders club developed.

Hopefully its a safe assumption that it will be available on Lionel's website.  I cant imagine that the S gauge catalog will be sent to all the hobby shops out there like the O gauge ones are currently?  

I'll say this, my LHS owner just found out about Flyer Fastrack (I don't blame him, as far as I know, he's only got two S Gauge customers) and is willing to stock it.  So, he'll probably get the Flyer catalogs, too.

 

Even though Lionel's on probation with me, I'm still interested to see what they'll be offering.

 

Rusty

I got to wondering, is there going to be just one American Flyer catalog a year or two?

 

I hope two.  

 

My two cents,

Ben

Two might be pushing it, but you never know.

 

It's possible a "Vol 1" would have all the major announcements and "Vol 2" would have some minor ones and additional roadnames.

 

Order early for delivery in 2015.

 

Rusty

One or two, I look forward to seeing it. Hope they make another engine that I desire, something in Milw. Rd.

Ray

The RTR O gauge and 2012 V1 offerings are starting to slip out on the 3 rail forum, anyone hear anything on the contents of the AF 2012? 

Over on Facebook Lionel is saying that they are 4 weeks from shipping catalogs right now.

There is a report on the 3 rail board that there will not be a separate catalog, but will be business as usual with Flyer in the regular Lionel catalog.  Sad if it is true...

Maybe they're just cluttering up the American Flyer catalog with all that Lionel three rail stuff!

 

Rusty

I saw that. They did hedge saying that they may change their mind. Being that the last Flyer section was only 8 pages, is it economically feasible? It would feasible in digital format, but not in printing and distributing such a small catalog.

Herb Wasserman

Right from Lionel's Facebook page this morning:

 

Lionel LLC Chris, We are releasing a separate American Flyer catalog. This will come out on the same day as the ready to run catalog - within a couple of weeks. Our Signature catalog is delayed a bit. We're aiming for late March. Hope that helps!

Hmmm....

 

"Hello, we have the American Flyer in our catalog now. It has only been rumored that are making an American Flyer catalog. That might change but as for right now we do not have a definite answer. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you
Talk To Us"

 

"Right from Lionel's Facebook page this morning:

 

Lionel LLC Chris, We are releasing a separate American Flyer catalog. This will come out on the same day as the ready to run catalog - within a couple of weeks. Our Signature catalog is delayed a bit. We're aiming for late March. Hope that helps!"

 

First there is a separate catalog, then there isn't, then there is again.

 

Ever get the feeling there's a certain lack of internal communication in the ol' Circle L Ranch?  Tune in next month! (Apparently...)

 

Rusty

It's not the first time that one department of Lionel doesn't know what the other department is doing. So far the FB page has been 100% reliable

The thing is, both are responsible for communicating with the customer in some way or another.  They should both be on the same page.

 

One can't help but wonder what other internal communication gaps there are.

 

Rusty

Yep

Production and quality control issues aside, I think this bodes very well for the future of S gauge.  I hope there are some s gauge starter sets that are attractive to potential new comers.  

 

Ben

Yes, S Gauge may become the beneficiary of the O Gauge market possibly "Maxing Out."

 

Rusty

Good Day,

 

I’ve said it and I’ll say it again. American Flyer is a diamond in the rough! I think Lionel is on the right track to continue to build the brand and offer more American Flyer engines with the Legacy Control, new rolling stock and track. 21^st Century Model railroaders can easily build an empire in that extra bedroom or den in the house. It's really a great scale.

 

On a side note, perhaps someday S Scale will have the Norfolk Southern Heritage engines!

 

Regards,

Swafford

 

     Drawing by Michael Eby          Painted by Frank Swafford

 

 

 

Well if the new Flyonel modern diesel is the SD70ACe, it would give Lionel a few more engines to produce for us to buy...

Nice one Swafford!

Apparently the AF catalogs have shipped to the dealers, I don't know when Lionel will put them up on their website.  (wish they would just put it up already).

Tick..tick..tick.. :-)

The 2012 American Flyer Catalog I have been told is 28 pages.  It will be posted online  March 2nd at 9:30 a.m.  Some of the highlights are the following:

 

 Mallet Steam Engine 2-8-8-2 

A)N&W

B)PRR

C)Santa Fe

D)UP

E)Virginian

 

U33C

A)Santa Fe

B)D&H

C)IC

D)Milwaukee

E)PRR

 

U33C Heritage

A)UP

B)MP/UP

C)SP/UP

D)Rio Grande

E)CNW

 

SD70ACe

A)BNSF

B)CSX

C)NS

D)KCS1

E)KCS2

 

Cylindrical Hopper

CN, BN, SP, Saskatchewan, UP 4 versions

 

Legacy Pacific Steam set with Heaveyweight cars

 

MStl Baldwin

 

Clear Plastic Docksider and caboose 

 

Full Vistadome PRR

 

Freight Cars

Schlitz Reefer

Pepsi Reefer

MStl Boxcar

1958 Catalog car

AF Smoke Fluid Tank Car

Cities Service Tank Car

PRR Gondola with Coil Cover

WP 3bay Hopper

Hershey's Hopper

Mr. Goodbar Reefer

 

FasTrack R&L remote switches and Transition Track

 

Bilboard set

I was wondering it there anything in the catalog that is a RTR set? I wouldn't mind getting one AF set just to have one

BTW, anyone wanting a download of our pre-order pricing can e-mail me at charlienassau@aol.com

http://train-station.com/cgi-b...tml/SID=PUT_SID_HERE

 

Pictures of the new AF product....

The modern diesel thingies look pretty impressive. 

 

Now we'll see if those that whine for modern power in S scale will put their money where their mouth is!

 

 

Andre

Reality check.  Bear in mind these are photoshopped O Gauge locomotives.

 

Still, it's an admirable selection. I see a Y3a and the MP Heritage unit in my future. (Maybe they'll even be decorated completely on both sides!)

 

Too bad the Santa Fe U33C's not in pinstripes or yellow bonnet, it's in the passenger scheme that was used on the U28CG's.  The IC is tempting, though...

 

Rusty

Flyer catalog is up

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/

Herb W

Yep, photoshops for sure. Having said that, I am pretty happy with their direction. They need to get wider curves and turnouts made ASAP to fill out the Fastrack line, but it looks like they will so that's probably just a matter of time. I think this catalog is a good step for them and it is a good step for S in general. As my good friend CSXTroy pointed out, Des Plaines hobbies will probably see a lot of orders for their modern freight cars. Even though I'm not a Diehard modern diesel or articulated steam fan, I'll probably order  a few and the cylindrical hoppers are a must have as well. Good catalog. Better than I expected.

Good Day,

 

The new Lionel American Flyer catalog is the start of a new ERA for S Scale! As I have said, Lionel is on the right track to continue to build the brand and offer more American Flyer engines with the Legacy Control, new rolling stock and track.

 

Regards,

Swafford

Wow lots of nice stuff! Will have to see the early buy prices to see how much of it I can afford. Was a little surprised not to see a RTR set with fastrack. I have been asking for a Cities Service tank car for a while. Little disappointed in the one they chose to do. I would have preferred a single dome with large Cities Service spelled out across the side, like the Gilbert HO version

 

Just think...

 

Scale Heritage SD70ACe's...

Scale Heritage cylindrical hoppers...

 

Ya know there's gotta be scale cabeese comin' to match.

 

Rusty

For the first time, that N&W Y3 has me tempted to go back to S.

I place my order this morning for the 2-8-8-2 in Santa Fe, and the SD70 in BNSF. That along with a few cars will make a nice Christmas gift. Hopefully this year but I expect them to come in next year based on past history!

I bet the SD70 doesn't take two years-my guess is they slip the U-33C basic chasiss under the SD70 shell. I hope the final gearing changes to something lower than the U-33C.

Also, does anyone know if the Flyer articulated is a true articulated, or is it a "LionMaster" drive where both engines pivot?

I imagine the Y3a's will be "LionMaster" style, just like the Challenger.  The "Two powerful motors" in the product description should be the give away.

 

Rusty

OOPSIES!!!

Someone on the Yahoo board pointed out the Heritage units have the wrong numbers!

 

The MP is 1851, should be 1982.

 

The SP is 1865, should be 1996.

The D&RGW is 1870, should be 1989.

 

The C&NW is 1859, should be 1995.

 

http://www.trainweb.org/richar...age_Photo_Shoot.html

 

I fired off an email to Lionel asking (politely) to pass this on so the numbers can be corrected before production begins.  I looked up the O Gauge counterparts in the 2010 catalog and they too have the wrong numbers.  We'll see what they say.

 

Does anyone out there know if the O Gauge versions have the correct numbers???

 

Rusty

 

 

 

Rusty: The original initial release of Heritage units did have the correct numbers; this last batch had different numbers so they didn't duplicate the originals, thus allowing running two together for those so inclined.

Seeing that this is the first run for Flyer, I would hope they have the correct prototype numbers, not the second run fantasy numbers.

 

I may not be a rivet counter, but I like things to have at least the right number for what it's supposed to represent. If they decide to do a second run or dummies, then maybe.

 

Rusty

Good for you Greg! 

 

Most of us just whine for our "pet engine/car/whatever" to be made and when it appears, we don't follow through with purchases! 

 

Of course, I have NEVER done that.

 

Andre

I'm gonna dive in for a Pennsy Y3, 3 SD-70's, a bunch of hoppers, and a slew of Fastrack. There goes the hobby budget for the year :-)

I am gunna get the Milwaukee Road and Santa Fe U33C, SD70 in BNSF,UP and UP/C&NW.  I will get a few of the hoppers, some of the box cars and the add on passenger cars for the Texas Special, Santa Fe and Pennsy sets.  My budget is also shot too!

 

I know that someone pointed out the SF U33C is not prototypical, but I can not pass up a red war bonnet, looks to good.

 

Ben

IMO the RTR sets could very well be S Gauge's only real shot at getting new/younger people into S.  Make a Polar Express set and something comparable to the "Pennsylvania Flyer" in O Gauge and get it out sitting next to the starter O gauge sets at Christmas. 

Hi,

 Just looked at the catalog, there's nice stuff in there, the new AF track looks

good but has that HO look to it, guess I got to see it in person to decide.

 

Tin

Are scales wheels a new option?  I don't recall seeing this before..?/

@VidKidz, scale wheels first appeared on the U33s released last year. They were announced a few years back. Don't recall which catalog that was though.

I posted this question on Lionel's Facebook page, and their response was that the were still reviewing different options so they could not provide and answer yet...

 

Ben

This was a first for American Flyer by Lionel, beginning with the annoucment of the U33C's a year or two ago.

 

In the new AF catalog, you have order the locomotive with your choice of either scale wheels OR HiRail wheels.

 

For the first runs of the U33C's you have to email Lionel for the scale wheels with a copy of your receipt, I believe. 

 

Rusty 

 

The new catalog is quite impressive. It represents a big step for Lionel. I hope that these run as well as my Clinchfield Challenger and Southen Pacific U33C. The scale wheels on my U33C look and run great . I imagine the Legacy Mallet and the new Legacy Diesel will have the same or similar running gear developed for the Challenger and the U33C so maybe there will be fewer problems in initial production units.

 

Tom

 

 

Hi folks

 

you can get the scale wheelsets for the U33C by sending an E-mail to Lionel telling them where the engine was purchased. No receipt is required. I received mine within three days. they are really nicely done.

 

Regards

 

Tom

I did notice that the shipping schedule shows the new items as AF 12 V1...maybe there will be two catalogs a year.

 

Ben

 

Good Day Gentlemen,

 

I’m thinking.............. This catalog will be a colossal success. American Flyer 2012 Catalog Volume 2, sure thing!  The new Lionel American Flyer catalog is the start of a new era for S Scale! As I have said, Lionel is on the right track to continue to build the brand and offer more American Flyer engines with the Legacy Control and RailSounds, new rolling stock and track.

 

On a side note, I think that some of the HO model railroaders that want a little bigger railroad with command control will move to S Scale. On the other hand, some O Scale Modelers want to build a railroad empire in that spare bedroom; S Scale is the perfect scale!   

 

Regards,

Swafford

There's a lot in the new catalog to like.  Especially in the overall direction and outlook.  It reinforces Lionel's commitment to S that in the decades past was only lip service.

 

I'm hoping if there is a volume 2, it will be a little lighter on the $$$ locomotives (my wallet needs a breather...) and more in the scale freight car, track, buildings and accessories vein. 

 

And although I'm not into "Classic Flyer" much anymore, some re-releases wouldn't be bad either.

 

Rusty

I agree with both Swafford and Rusty. S will be big for Lionel and I think that the popularity of this catalog will lead to another later this year. I would be fine if they just focused on rolling stock, track, and perhaps a new engine if possible. I have a case of 20r curves and a case of 10" straights on the way. Come on Lionel, we need a lot more curves, turnouts, and other pieces to build an effective layout. At least we can plan for the future if you show us what you intend to make.

 

As a side note, I have been dabbling in HO again because I wasn't sure where S was headed but Lionel has pretty much put an end to that.  Now the long wait until product from this catalog shows up and possibly a second catalog...

 

You know what is funny? I modeled in 3 rail O for my most of my life, but I honeslty feel more excited right now in S than ever.  I agree Swafford, there is huge potential for S in the coming years. I don't think I ever planned to buy so much from one catalog! I guess I should be thankful that most of the SD-70ACEs have only one road number... I might need a loan to afford everything I want

And to think I got into S 27 years ago because the small selection would "slow me down..." 

 

Rusty

Support Lionel's efforts, but maintain your objectivity

 

A while back Lionel announced a series of Made in USA O gauge box cars.  The cars were not ready for the next York meet so Lionel showed the box they will come in.. This makes sense in a world where everyone is happy to drink the kool-aid. 

 

Signed,

 

   a recovering kool-aid drinker

 

 

 

 

I think those cars are now cluttering up the back burner. 

 

My favorite Kool-aid was lemon-lime...

 

I like to think I maintain some semblance of objectivity, although I'll admit about 12 years ago I wouldn't have given anyone 2 cents for any new Lionel/Flyer.

 

Rusty