Lionel's new autoracks

I just hope there a little smaller then the mth scale ones there fregin huge...

I think these are 22.25 inches...

 

Look at 21" pass cars, these will probably look similar.  What is cool is it looks like the couplers will adjust for different curve radius track.

The models pictured in the catalog look awful. I'm not buying any until I see them in person. Of course that means that by the time i actually get to see one, it will be impossible to buy any.

 

By the way, the MTH racks are NOT scale. They're way too short. I do however like them and just might decide to be satisfied with what I already have.

Pretty sure the MTH cars are just over 20" long.  I'm sure these Lionel ones will be really nice.

While I have no doubt these cars will look fantastic, I'm quite surprised at the number of folks here expressing more than a casual interest in them -- particularly since so few layouts will handle them well.

 

Perhaps Lionel will have prototype samples on display at York?  That would be nice.  I remember that's where I first saw the AtlasO 89' flats, and I thought THOSE looked huge for most layouts... and that was just a low-profile flatcar.  These autorack cars are gonna be far from "low-profile"... quite the opposite in fact!  You won't be able to miss them if they're on display. 

 

I'm just guessing here... but I'm currently thinking these cars are definitely into O99 or O108+ territory before a layout does them any justice.  And quite possibly even broader curves than that, before you're not dealing with excessive overhang issues.  The ratings in the product specs don't necessarily correlate to what "looks good" -- rather they're simply a guide to what is mechanically possible.

 

David

 

 

 

I'm interested in the autoracks, but I would like to see Lionel offer them in three or four cars sets, as well as individual sale.  Hopefully this will happen in 2013, when I have money again (after some big ticket 2012 items are paid for.)

 

0-54 sound like a dream for a 24" car, however, I guess that Lionel figures it is doable with their new coupler system. 

 

Jim

 

 

At that car length you will need to have O-110 or greater to avoid noticeable over/under hang on the curves.  You should also plan on significant clearance issues on any curves under O-84.  While the trucks/wheels won't bind above O-54, I'm betting you can see all three rails if you try to run them through an O-54 curve.

I have O72 curved track and switches, just so I could operate these long freight cars. There is just enough clearance to operate the 89' flat cars on both tracks.

 

I am looking forward to getting one or two of these, but since they are limiited edition high-priced items, it means that I will have to be very selective with the paint scheme choice.

Grand Trunk Western with the ALL BLUE sides would be among the top choices.

 

Like THE ROCK with the full side graphics.

 

Chicago & North Western Whitehead & Kales racks in 1980's safety-yellow or the Thrall Car 1993 CNW big letter scheme in traditional Yellow are two that I would consider.

 

Andrew

 

Falcon Service

As I posted in another thread, my initial beef based on the catalog pictures is using the wrong car classification marks and roadnumbers on the cars.  The Conrail one is completely off; the classification on the bottom shows it as a DTTX.  DTTX designations are for deep-well cars, like the husky stacks; it should be ETTX, and I believe that the roadnumber on that one is for a husky stack as well.

I would just like to seem them do a little more prototype homework on these scale items.  MTH too.

TTGX is for Bi-Level automobile racks with roofs.

 

ETTX is for Tri-Level automobile racks with roofs.

 

Andrew

I just hope there a little smaller then the mth scale ones there fregin huge...

ROTFLOL! You are kidding right? the MTH scale out to 70ft. theae will be 89' scale. These lionels will DWARF the MTH ones for sure!

The text says Bi-Level.

 

The images show an Auto Rack that is TRI-Level.

 

The TTX designation should be TTGX for a Bi-Level and ETTX for the Tri-Level.

 

How did they end up with DTTX. Will it be fixed before they are put into production?

 

Will they be delivered by December 2012?

 

Andrew

 

Falcon Service.

The Conrail one is completely off; the classification on the bottom shows it as a DTTX.  DTTX designations are for deep-well cars, like the husky stacks; it should be ETTX, and I believe that the roadnumber on that one is for a husky stack as well.

I would just like to seem them do a little more prototype homework on these scale items.  MTH too.

 

I can see a string of them on a big (club?) layout.....but it would take a rich man as even one is beyond me right now. But thumbs up Lionel for a great looking item.

You could buy one, if you were able to tightly focus your purchases to just one of the new Lionel O Scale Auto Racks during a one year period. That would require a lot of careful planning and strict spending.

 

Andrew

The "street" price of the cars aren't to bad.  While the single car MSRPs at $150, a quick check at one of the large on-line dealers has the car priced at $107.

 

Jim

I haven't decided whether to preorder one of these cars to sample or wait and see production models. I also wonder how high these will ride if made for 054 curves, and, if too high, whether that can can be corrected. In response to the original poster, here is a sample of scale 89 foot cars on 072 curves. These are Atlas TOFC flats rated for 072 minimum in three rail. Mine are modified with body-mounted Kadees:

 

 

 

I hope Lionel takes the opportunity to add Kadee coupler mounting pads and multiple truck attachment points, one for smaller curves and one for people with large curves that want the proper truck placement.

Dan

For that price these new Lionel Auto Carriers better be as great as the Red Caboose N Scale Auto Carriers, which have amazingly realistic detail for such a small freight car model.

 

Andrew