Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but looks like Lionel will be offering a special boxcar for the Dec 5th National Lionel Train Day event.
Looks very sharp, probably will sell quite well.
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I like it and would buy it- will it be offered for sale online? It would look nice next to the sharp graphics on the newly offered smithsonian boxcar
Info video from Train World:
The Hennings Trains facebook page has a teaser photo of the car.
Do a google search, there is at least two other sources advertising the car but no prices.
Looks like the car will have to be ordered (BTO) and wont be available until after the event.
Neat graphics to be sure!
Peter
The National Lionel Train Day Boxcar will be available to order at any of the NLTD participating dealers on December 5 with a delivery in early 2016. They will not be offered for on-line ordering, it is a promotional offering to encourage people to visit the dealers. They have a MSRP of $84.99 but don't know yet what we will be offering as an order price.
We will be one of the participating dealers taking orders along with the various other things planned for the day, including a store wide sale, demonstrations, just a few blocks away will be the 'Trains IN the Tree' from the OGR article operating and the North Penn O Gaugers will have their layout set up and running.
We got a sample in the store today along with signage and promo giveaways. The car is stunning and like Bill says, you have to visit a participating dealer to order one! So make plans to leave Dec 5th open!
Hey, All
Patrick's Trains will be participating in the National Train Day on Dec. 5th 2015. We will have a huge Sale for in store customers and you will be able to order this car in store on the 5th of Dec.
Thanks
Pat
Originally Posted by PATSTRAINS:
Hey, All
Patrick's Trains will be participating in the National Train Day on Dec. 5th 2015. We will have a huge Sale for in store customers and you will be able to order this car in store on the 5th of Dec.
Thanks
Pat
Hello Pats Trains
(1) What is the cost of the car?
(2) Do you need full payment at the time the oder is placed?
(3) Can the oder be placed over the phone?
(4) When will the cars be delivered to your shop?
Thanks
Gary
• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout”
I do know the MSRP is $84.99, we will discount these if permitted.
You will not need a deposit, just your good faith you will take when in.
The order for the cars has to be in person at the store.
The cars will be here early 2016.
Thanks
Pat
Originally Posted by trainroomgary:
Originally Posted by PATSTRAINS:
Hey, All
Patrick's Trains will be participating in the National Train Day on Dec. 5th 2015. We will have a huge Sale for in store customers and you will be able to order this car in store on the 5th of Dec.
Thanks
Pat
Hello Pats Trains
(1) What is the cost of the car?
(2) Do you need full payment at the time the oder is placed?
(3) Can the oder be placed over the phone?
(4) When will the cars be delivered to your shop?
Thanks
Gary
• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout”
Great looking box car!
I am lucky to live about 20 minutes from Hennings Trains, where I will visit the shop and likely order this boxcar. But I agree it's a very outdated thinking to REQUIRE folks to order one of these boxcars in person. Not everybody is fortunate enough to live near a LHS.
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
David
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
David
Here's the list of participating dealers:
http://www.lionel.com/articles...al-Lionel-Train-Day/
RadioRon, How close are you to M.B. Klein's? They're on the list. I may run up there myself.
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
David
The whole idea behind NTD is to GET people into the stores Rocky. The boxcar is only a small part of the day.
Good Post Charlie,
I have a small shop in Mid-Missouri and we will be participating in this event. It is a great Idea Lionel has come up with and look forward to many years of this event. I have already talked to people as far away as an hour that will be driving to my store just to order this item and once you get someone to your store, there is always hope they will be buying something else.
too bad!!!
the nearest store to me is 550 miles away.
I would have ordered on by mail.
Mike Reagan told me one of the primary reasons for the exclusive box car is to increase foot traffic in the beleaguered brick and mortar retailers. My LHS is holding on by the skin on his teeth. He is really hoping that Christmas will get him in the black and he is participating in the event in order to engage customers.
Ivory tower and all, you sure love to cast stones. Funny when the stone comes down and smacks the tosser in the face.
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
Thanks Pat of Patrick’s Trains for the information on the National Lionel Train Day & Boxcar.
If I am in West Virginia on National Lionel Train Day, I will stop in…….
There is only one Lionel Train Shop in Michigan, that is participating in "National Lionel Train Day".
Brasseur Electric Trains
410 Court St.
Saginaw, MI 48602
989-793-4753
I will have to drive 112 Miles, but it is always a fun trip.
See Google Map below.
Gary • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, “ A Toy Train Layout”
Click map to enlarge.
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I've been wanting to make the hour and 45 minute trip to Pat's, maybe this is the time to do it. Thanks!
Originally Posted by Charlienassau:
...
The whole idea behind NTD is to GET people into the stores Rocky. The boxcar is only a small part of the day.
Exactly, Charlie. I think it's great that Lionel is sponsoring NTD. Excellent idea to do something for the brick-and-mortar shops. But like you said, the boxcar is a SMALL part of the day. So why penalize folks who want to order one but might live in a remote location and consequently patronize a dealer quite regularly via mail-order or online shopping?
All the other stuff going on during NTD will hopefully bring folks who DO live close to a LHS (or two) in for a visit to enjoy the special day. My comment had nothing to do with the day itself, but rather was directed at the idea of restricting the boxcar to only folks who can physically visit a store as being rather short-sighted. If it's gonna be a BTO item, then there's no harm in shops taking care of their remote loyal customers. In fact, it would help stores garner more incremental sales overall AND generate good will for those who can't physically be there.
That's really all I'm saying. I would have expected folks like T4TT to take issue with my comment. I could wish him Happy Birthday, and he'd mis-interpret the post because that's just the way it is. 
T4TT, this ain't about throwing stones at NTD and or LHS's one iota. Wrong again. It's about helping them in every way possible. So you now have our permission to open mouth and insert both feet.
David
Originally Posted by Mark Boyce:
I've been wanting to make the hour and 45 minute trip to Pat's, maybe this is the time to do it. Thanks!
Hi Mark
I am driving 112 Miles North and you are going 93 Miles South, if I see you on the Interstate, we are lost. 
Gary - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway - "A Toy Train Layout"
See map below, click on Google Map to enlarge.
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All the other stuff going on during NTD will hopefully bring folks who DO live close to a LHS (or two) in for a visit to enjoy the special day. My comment had nothing to do with the day itself, but rather was directed at the idea of restricting the boxcar to only folks who can physically visit a store as being rather short-sighted. If it's gonna be a BTO item, then there's no harm in shops taking care of their remote loyal customers. In fact, it would help stores garner more incremental sales overall AND generate good will for those who can't physically be there.
If someone really wanted a boxcar that bad I am sure you will see plenty being sold on E-Bay. NTD is about spreading the word about a great hobby, not about getting a special box car. Support your local store!
As for only one store in MI, I am perplexed. Isn't Wild Bills hosting an event?
Originally Posted by RadioRon:
Originally Posted by johnstrains:
RadioRon, How close are you to M.B. Klein's? I may run up there myself.
Thanks, though, John. Nicholas Smith, near Philly, is my closest bet. Although the boxcar looks good (I saw it at York), I still question if I want to pay whatever the $85 list price may be discounted to. I regularly patronize both Nicholas Smith & JusTrains of Delaware in person, so offering this car only on-site just means a 70-mile round trip on a Saturday to a store that I can (& do) easily visit regularly on my way home from work. So, the "getting me into the store" goal, is a needless misfire when it come store me.
I hear you on price. I have to question it myself but I think I'll add this to the collection (early Christmas present to me 
).
I used to drive up to JusTrains once and a while years ago. I remember going up there one Saturday for a special K-Line event that ran all weekend. Would love to stop in at Nicholas Smith one day. By all accounts a fabulous supply of trains.
Originally Posted by trainroomgary:
Originally Posted by Mark Boyce:
I've been wanting to make the hour and 45 minute trip to Pat's, maybe this is the time to do it. Thanks!
Hi Mark
I am driving 112 Miles North and you are going 93 Miles South, if I see you on the Interstate, we are lost.
Gary - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway - "A Toy Train Layout"
See map below, click on Google Map to enlarge.
Gary, you are right on!! One or both of us will be lost! I love it!!!
Since the orders will be taken Dec. 5, the boxcar will more likely be a Valentine's or Easter present, at best, I would bet, John. Originally Posted by johnstrains:
I hear you on price. I have to question it myself but I think I'll add this to the collection (early Christmas present to me ).
).
I cannot get this car since the closest shop to me is about 400 miles away. Bummer.
Originally Posted by Captaincog:
I cannot get this car since the closest shop to me is about 400 miles away. Bummer.
You know what, Jeff...... & all others who do not live within a reasonable driving distance to the closest participating Lionel shop, I would CALL them on Dec. 5, explain your situation & tell them that you would like to order an $85 item (hopefully less). Do you really think they would turn down the business?
This is a nice gesture by Lionel trying to help out their dealers. Maybe next year it can be a one week only item instead of one day. The goal is to increase LHS exposure so why limit it to one day only?
Originally Posted by RadioRon:
... I would CALL them on Dec. 5, explain your situation & tell them that you would like to order an $85 item (hopefully less). Do you really think they would turn down the business?
If I were a dealer, I certainly would accommodate a loyal customer (i.e., one who I know has done lots of prior business with me). I wouldn't broadcast it, but I'd sure take care of them. 
David
Originally Posted by ChiTown Steve:
This is a nice gesture by Lionel trying to help out their dealers. Maybe next year it can be a one week only item instead of one day. The goal is to increase LHS exposure so why limit it to one day only?
Awesome idea!
A lot of good comments about this boxcar. It looks great.
I would like to get it also, but.......
After the 3 &1/2 hours round trip to order it, do I pay for the shipping to my home or the gas again, to drive 3 &1/2 hours round trip to get it?
Hmmmmmmmm.
Dennis
(I don't think so.)
The closest participating to me is New York Central Trains in Mishawaka, Indiana.
I still have to travel for about one hour at an average speed of 40 MPH to get there in a reasonable time.
Andrew
closest hobby store to me is 2 hrs driving makes a lot of sense thank-you Lionel.
Its not about the boxcar but a great day for exposing people to the hobby!
We will have food, giveaways, door prizes, train set grand prize, face painting, balloons and local RR club members too!
Plus Lionel representative and a few surprises too!
My curiosity question - has AMTRAK not objected to Lionel for calling it National Train Day? They have been hosting NTD events at AMTRAK stations for several years now, and developed a good brand for the event.
That is a nice car, but a little steep for me. I am surprised my LHS in NC has chosen not to participate, according to the website.
Larry, did you not know about the Train Loft in W-S?
In business for 22 years, it's largest and most comprehensive OG train store in the SE,
barring the Atlanta market.
I am participating in the event and so is the Lionel store in Concord.
I invite you on Sat. Come meet everybody!
Jeff,
I have known about the Train Loft for many years. We are having a Christmas event at work that day, and will not be able to visit any hobby stores that day.
BTW - I work about 15 minutes away from the Lionel offices in Concord. Ride by them about once a month or so.
Originally Posted by JKonc52032:
Larry, did you not know about the Train Loft in W-S?
In business for 22 years, it's largest and most comprehensive OG train store in the SE,
barring the Atlanta market.
I am participating in the event and so is the Lionel store in Concord.
I invite you on Sat. Come meet everybody!
Some of you are very lucky to have a closeby Lionel dealer. My nearest one is a 4 to 5 hour drive - one way!
They just e-mailed me and said they would reserve one for me. Helps to be a good customer!
I have contacted several of the Lionel dealers I have been buying from. Many of them were receptive to making one available.
Paul
I normally am not interested in these types of special cars, but this one will be an exception. Am thankful that I have will have a short 25 minute drive to the closest participating dealer.
Is there a limit of one per customer?
Saw this boxcar at Nicholas Smith Trains this evening. I surmise participating shops will have one to show in-person on Saturday. Then another production run will take care of all the hobby shop orders from the day.
Very nice car. Likely to be very popular.
David
Originally Posted by Rocky Mountaineer:
.... I agree it's a very outdated thinking to REQUIRE folks to order one of these boxcars in person. Not everybody is fortunate enough to live near a LHS.
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
Who at Lionel makes these decisions? They must live in an ivory tower with no clue it's 2015 and hobby shops are no longer part of the retail landscape in every town.
It would seem so. Lionel needs to do a reality check. For example, there's just one dealer listed for the entire state of Texas!
I am fortunate enough to have several stores within easy driving distance who will have the special boxcar to order on December 5th. However, for those who aren't as lucky, I'm very glad to see some stores have been advertising they will take phone orders this weekend if you can't physically visit the store. Nice to see some stores stepping out of the "dark ages". The good will generated by making this offer will do so much more for the store's bottom line than Lionel's original "requirement" that stores only take orders in person -- however well-intended that requirement sounds in their ivory tower.
David
Lionel Grandpa posted:I normally am not interested in these types of special cars, but this one will be an exception. Am thankful that I have will have a short 25 minute drive to the closest participating dealer.
Is there a limit of one per customer?
I attended the National Train Day at Brady's Train Outlet in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was the first time I visited that shop, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from my home. John Brady and his staff put on a very nice show for a small town shop. There were lots of trains running, a new layout under construction, lots of Christmas sets and individual rolling stock on display, besides what I assume is the usual products. Santa 
was there on this unseasonably warm day talking with children and giving out gifts. During a slow time for him, I greeted him and asked how it was going. He said it was hot in his suit on this warm day. I picked up a Railking Greyhound bus specially decorated for Brady with Greensburg on the marker for a great price. Also I got a new in box Religious Christmas Railking boxcar from about 2009. I have wanted one with something about the Nativity story on it for a while. I also got my first Miller sign, a park entrance sign. Also, of course, I signed up to get my special Lionel boxcar. I had to do that, since I hadn't bought any other Lionel products on their day. I'm like Lionel Grandpa in that I don't get many cars, but these two were ones I wanted. It was a very nice day, except when I got home, I had to get the ladder out to hang up outdoor lights and wreaths. By the time I was finished, it was below freezing already! 
I was at the Lionel Train Day at Nicholas Smith Trains yesterday and preordered the box car that was displayed. It was a nice event there yesterday.
Mike Reagan And My Father Ken Sr. Talking about the First National Lionel Train Day Boxcar
Great day yesterday for National Train Day. I hit a couple of spots and ordered the Lionel box car. Also automatically entered me in a raffle for the 2015 Lionel Dealers Appreciation car.
Picked up some structures and other items for the Christmas layout which I am working on today.
A fun weekend!
Mark Boyce posted:Lionel Grandpa posted:I normally am not interested in these types of special cars, but this one will be an exception. Am thankful that I have will have a short 25 minute drive to the closest participating dealer.
Is there a limit of one per customer?
I attended the National Train Day at Brady's Train Outlet in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was the first time I visited that shop, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from my home. John Brady and his staff put on a very nice show for a small town shop. There were lots of trains running, a new layout under construction, lots of Christmas sets and individual rolling stock on display, besides what I assume is the usual products. Santa
John and Randy are great guys. Maybe I'll run into you at Brady's TO next time. I've seen you post on his FB page in past. I recognized your name from the forum.
Panther97 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Lionel Grandpa posted:I normally am not interested in these types of special cars, but this one will be an exception. Am thankful that I have will have a short 25 minute drive to the closest participating dealer.
Is there a limit of one per customer?
I attended the National Train Day at Brady's Train Outlet in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was the first time I visited that shop, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from my home. John Brady and his staff put on a very nice show for a small town shop. There were lots of trains running, a new layout under construction, lots of Christmas sets and individual rolling stock on display, besides what I assume is the usual products. Santa
John and Randy are great guys. Maybe I'll run into you at Brady's TO next time. I've seen you post on his FB page in past. I recognized your name from the forum.
Yes, I talked with John for a few minutes. He seemed very nice. Now I know what you look like, so maybe I will see you. Do you live near Greensburg? As I wrote, it is a bit of a trip, but a good shop is worth it now and then.
I would have loved to try to get one but the initial listing of participating dealers had the closest around 400 miles away then another dealer that is about 65 miles away was listed. Nice, but I already committed to working our club museum train day display on Saturday at the Muzeo Museum in Anaheim, CA. If anyone gets a chance to go it is free and the club I am in did a really great job. We had a good number of people and families that my wife and I were promoting the hobby to. Ah well, maybe next time.
Captaincog posted:I would have loved to try to get one but the initial listing of participating dealers had the closest around 400 miles away then another dealer that is about 65 miles away was listed. ... Ah well, maybe next time.
Don't give up hope yet. Some dealers opened their orders up to folks who couldn't make it to the store. I noticed Charlie Ro has the car on his website, so try placing an online order or give the store a call early Monday. The SKU is 6-83497. Not sure how soon dealers need to send their orders into Lionel, so I wouldn't wait too long.
David
Thanks David for the information. I ordered one from Charlie Ro and hopefully it will go through. I have a great hobby shop only 12 miles away but did not make it there in time.
Yes, I talked with John for a few minutes. He seemed very nice. Now I know what you look like, so maybe I will see you. Do you live near Greensburg? As I wrote, it is a bit of a trip, but a good shop is worth it now and then.
No, I actually live closer to Cresson-Altoona. I have family that lives in Greensburg. I stop every time I visit my family. My dad bought trains off of John for many years.
Rocky Mountaineer posted:Saw this boxcar at Nicholas Smith Trains this evening. I surmise participating shops will have one to show in-person on Saturday. Then another production run will take care of all the hobby shop orders from the day.
Very nice car. Likely to be very popular.
David
No, unfortunately that is not the case. Only a few select ever get those privileges. I guess you have to be one of their lucky top 10 dealers. We, 'the little guys' get left out of various things like that.
If anyone is still interested in a NLTD boxcar let us know.
Panther97 posted:Yes, I talked with John for a few minutes. He seemed very nice. Now I know what you look like, so maybe I will see you. Do you live near Greensburg? As I wrote, it is a bit of a trip, but a good shop is worth it now and then.No, I actually live closer to Cresson-Altoona. I have family that lives in Greensburg. I stop every time I visit my family. My dad bought trains off of John for many years.
Well then, you have quite a history with Brady's. Also, you are near some great modern rail fanning to boot!
Picked my NLTD boxcar up yesterday at Brasseur's Electric Trains, who actually is local for me. Very sharp car! And, a nice combined Easter and birthday present for me. Bob Brasseur and I had a nice rag chew about our "takes" on the current state of the hobby and reminiscences about toy trains when we were kids. Now, there's an experience that one can still enjoy at your LHS, of which Brasseur's is a classic example.
Bob
I picked up TWO of these cars, since each side had different graphics: one car came from a local shop, Hennings Trains; and the other car was ordered from Charlie Ro. Here are some quick iPhone pics...
The boxflap...
The color graphics side...
The greyscale graphics side...
The pics don't really do these cars justice, since there's a shimmering effect to the paint that doesn't show up well... due to the lighting and photography angle. Overall I'm very pleased with these boxcars. Some folks have taken issue with the image resolution of graphics on the USA-made cars, but I haven't found anything seriously objectionable about these cars. Normally, I prefer the rivet detail to run the entire height of the boxcars. However I suspect Lionel takes a bit of a short-cut on these, so it's easier to apply the paint scheme (via inkjet?) on the sides of the boxcars.
Although this particular car was billed as available only via pre-order on Lionel's National Train Day (12/5/2015) by visiting one's LHS, I've noticed many shops ordered extras. So availability is quite good for those folks who may have missed out by not ordering locally. As many of us suspected would be the case, the car was somewhat of a "carrot" to get folks into their LHS. But it was tough for dealers to turn away good money, so many shops ordered extras which they're not selling... locally, mail-order, or online.
David
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Rocky Mountaineer posted:The greyscale graphics side...
The pics don't really do these cars justice, since there's a shimmering effect to the paint that doesn't show up well... due to the lighting and photography angle. <snip>
David
David, ... a minor point, but I believe that both sides are in color. It is the subject matter (steam engines) that make the one side first appear as gray scale. Note that a few number boards (e.g., red under the headlight on loco far left) and the brass bells are in color.
Agreed. A good effort by Lionel.
Bob
