Lionel Made in America Cars

Perhaps the next try will see Lionel contracting with Weaver who is alrady the largest decorator of Lionel cars in the United States.

I don't think Weaver works directly with Lionel but through third parties such as LCCA.

That would be the smart move but Weaver probably would tell Lionel to take a long hike on a short dock during price negotiations.

There is also RGS, I wonder who does their assembly / painting and is it done in the USA. They have some terrific looking rolling stock.

The question is: Would Weaver want the job? 

Do they have the capacity to deal with Lionel production?  Lionel has mentioned (grain of salt time) building American Flyer starter sets and other things here.  How much would the added load disrupt Weaver operations?

Rusty

I am hoping to buy two of the Christmas boxcars. Was checking the Justrains site and they were showing them as out of stock but were apparently accepting orders. Checked again yesterday and now get a "No product" response so looks like they have given up on receiving any.

Can't see spending $300 for two cars.

Ned

RGS are Lionel repaints, and I would believe the entire operation (which is relatively small scale when compared to a full issue from a major brand) is local.

-Dave

I would think almost certainly Weaver, and without a doubt RGS, would be in no position to accept the huge production requirements Lionel would need, without in essence creating whole new companies.

What has to be made in the USA are the Thrall Car and Pullman-Standard 86' Auto Parts Box Cars with double doors and quad doors. Make them in large numbers and make them operate on an O54 minimum curve. Find one company that will build the Thrall Car 86' Auto parts box cars and another company to make the Pullman-Standard 86' Auto Parts Box Cars in order to fill the orders faster.

Andrew

Interesting to note the 29980 Elvis Anniversary boxcar is also made in the USA. No mention about being USA made in the 2012 Volume 2 catalog. Saw them yesterday and the are in the new style Made in USA box.

To give everyone an idea of what "local" means in the WorldWideWeb, RGS is based in Old Forge, PA, a couple miles south of Scranton.

Could someone please make a list of which cars are Made In The USA?

Jack

My LHS, M.B. Klein, finally got them in this week, 30 of them, one was set aside for me, the rest were preordered.

I picked mine up tonight for $48, and see them selling for $250 on Ebay. 

The power of having a relationship with an LHS was quite evident tonight.

Nice car, watching it right now circling my Christmas tree.

I mainly collect MPC stuff, not because of quality, but because it was made here in the good ol' USA and it was made when I was growing up, although I played only with HO as a kid. I have a few 0-27 items from Asia, and they are better quality, but it would be nice to get more production over here, mainly because we need it. It was nice to read that Apple is going to making their computers over here again, Not sure which ones but it's a start. I'm really surprised that so many people don't care where there trains are made, as I have a very hard time buying them. And that goes for everything I buy, I am well aware of where it's made. Avoiding things that are made in China is next to impossible. I hope that company can keep it's doors open. It's tough out there if you are manufacturing anything.

Elvis car was also.

I posted a few days ago about contacting Lionel about the LRRC Christmas car. I asked about the rumor of the company that was producing the cars declaring bankruptcy, and if the product was going to be delivered in time for Christmas. I received a reply today. They said that with the bankruptcy, shipping times have been pushed back into next year, but they are going to fill all the orders placed for the product.

Mine showed up at the LHS last week, (picked up yesterday) $54 after taxs, great looking car, think I'll hang on to it.

2012 car is now here in the UK. Nice looking car this year. Going to wrap it up for the youngest from Santa. That's if I can keep the better half from putting it on ebay.

Regards 

Nick

I got an unexpected reply from LRRC responding to my simple question about the shipping status of the LRRC Christmas Car.  I had no idea all of this was going on at the time I asked.  I mainly inquired to make sure the charge cleared on my card since I had a recent bank theft.  Lionel stated the supplier had gone under and production was moved to a new location.  Delivery expected by March.  Seems to be the same story for the cataloged Christmas Car.  Wouldn't it be cool if the second run has red trucks.  First run becomes even more a hot item.

It makes the hobby just a little more difficult, but rewarding when you find what you want.

Actually got a free gift today from LRRC due to the delay of the Christmas Car.  An enclosed letter said that no more Made in USA cars will ship this year.  The remaining runs are being sent immediately to China.  But Lionel will still pursue Made in USA product and will locate other vendors.  So the Ebay prices on the made in USA Christmas cars may hold up.  As they will be the only ones for this year.  Personally the Kinkade car is my favorite although I am usually not a fan of his style, artistically and personally.

If you don't mind my asking, what did you receive?

I guess all of us who ordered the car are also going to receive the gift, but I'm curious and it might take a while for it to make it out here.

Sorry I left that detail out.  Its an embroidered Lionel baseball cap.  The higher quality variety...not the mesh type with a patch fused on.  Yes, everyone should get one.  For once in my life I am getting LRRC items first since the warehouse is 2 hours away.